Content
Oyster mushrooms are very tasty and incredibly healthy representatives of mushrooms. Their pulp contains many substances necessary for the body, the amount of which does not decrease during heat treatment. The protein content is almost the same as in meat and milk. In addition, they are suitable for dietary nutrition, as they are a low-calorie product. They are fried, boiled, stewed, added to salads, salted and pickled, and sometimes even eaten raw. Ready-made dishes have an original taste and pleasant aroma. But sometimes housewives complain about the bitterness in oyster mushrooms that appears after cooking.
Is it possible to eat oyster mushrooms if they are bitter?
Oyster mushrooms, like other fruiting bodies, must be collected with caution. In addition to edible ones, inedible (false) species also grow in forest plantations. They have a rather bright color and an unpleasant odor, and the flesh is often bitter. It is strictly forbidden to eat such mushrooms.
False species are often bitter and can cause poisoning
Poisonous oyster mushrooms do not grow in Russia. But this does not mean that their preparation and consumption can be taken carelessly.Failure to comply with technological processes during processing can lead not only to the fact that after heat treatment the mushrooms will taste bitter, but even provoke poisoning.
Oyster mushrooms, which taste bitter after frying, are not recommended for consumption. It’s better to throw them away so as not to endanger yourself and your loved ones.
Why are oyster mushrooms bitter?
Not only oyster mushrooms, but also many other mushrooms are bitter. This is often due to unfavorable growing conditions. The substrate in which oyster mushrooms grew may contain pesticides or be contaminated with microorganisms that release harmful toxic substances. Mushrooms growing near highways, landfills or industrial sites can absorb chemicals and radioactive substances like sponges. Sometimes old fruit bodies or those that were poorly washed before cooking become bitter.
Self-grown fruiting bodies, as a rule, do not contain toxins and do not taste bitter
How to remove bitterness from oyster mushrooms
You can get rid of bitterness and prepare a truly delicious mushroom dish by following the rules of processing and preparation. You should not use mushrooms that have been stored for a long time; they must be exclusively fresh. First of all, they need to be sorted out, removing suspicious, damaged, spoiled and very old specimens. Then they are cleaned of debris, remnants of mycelium and substrate, washed thoroughly and soaked for about 10-15 minutes.
It is recommended to use clean water for this (well, spring or filtered).First you need to salt it a little. Boiling (until it boils) will also help remove bitterness. Oyster mushrooms must be cut immediately before cooking.
Conclusion
Bitterness in oyster mushrooms after cooking appears for various reasons. To get rid of it, mushrooms should be carefully selected, processed and properly cooked. If you follow all the tips and recommendations, you can prepare very tasty and healthy mushroom dishes.
