Contents
Oyster mushrooms are very tasty and incredibly useful representatives of mushrooms. Their pulp contains many substances necessary for the body, the amount of which does not decrease during heat treatment. Protein in the composition 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 consumed raw. Ready meals have an original taste and pleasant aroma. But sometimes housewives complain about the bitterness in oyster mushrooms, which appears after cooking.
Is it possible to eat oyster mushrooms if they are bitter
Collecting oyster mushrooms, like other fruiting bodies, must be done with caution. In forest plantations, in addition to edible, non-edible (false) species also grow. They have a rather bright color and an unpleasant odor, and the flesh is often bitter. It is strictly forbidden to eat such mushrooms.
Poisonous oyster mushrooms do not grow in Our Country. But this does not mean that their preparation and use can be treated carelessly. Failure to comply with technological processes during processing can lead not only to the fact that after heat treatment the mushrooms will be bitter, but even provoke poisoning.
Oyster mushrooms that are bitter after frying are not recommended to be eaten. It is better to throw them away so as not to endanger yourself and your loved ones.
Why are oyster mushrooms bitter
Not only oyster mushrooms are bitter, but also many other mushrooms. Often this is 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 facilities can absorb chemical and radioactive substances like sponges. Sometimes old fruiting bodies or those that were poorly washed before cooking are bitter.
How to remove bitterness from oyster mushrooms
You can get rid of bitterness and cook a truly delicious mushroom dish by following the rules of processing and cooking. Do not use mushrooms that have been stored for a long time, they must be exceptionally fresh. First of all, they must be sorted out, while removing suspicious, damaged, corrupted and very old copies. Then they are cleaned of debris, mycelium and substrate residues, thoroughly washed and soaked for about 10-15 minutes.
It is recommended to use clean water for this (well, spring or filtered). First, it needs to be slightly salted. Boiling will also help remove bitterness (until boiling). It is necessary to cut oyster mushrooms 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 cook very tasty and healthy mushroom dishes.