King Oyster

This special variety is all the rage in vegan restaurants, prized for its dense, meaty texture and rich savoury flavour.

About King Oyster Mushrooms

These special King Oyster mushrooms are hailed for their dense, meaty texture and depth of savoury flavour. They've become the darlings of vegan cookery in the last few years, often billed on restaurant menus as 'mushroom steaks' or 'vegan scallops'.

If you're using them to add a hearty bite to plant-based dishes, make sure to use the whole thing; the stalks aren't tough or woody at all, and are where much of the best texture lies. Once cooked, their natural umami flavour will be unleashed.

Growing at Dart Valley

These mushrooms are grown completely peat-free, using an organic substrate block made from sawdust and rye. Peatlands are vital carbon stores and wildlife habitats, so by keeping peat in the ground, we're helping protect nature and fight climate change - one mushroom at a time.

How to Prepare

Much of their prized texture lies in the stalks, so make sure you use the whole thing. You can use them just as you would normal mushrooms; slice and fry in oil or butter until deeply coloured. They'll take a little longer to cook than other mushrooms (about 6-7 mins), and won't wilt nearly as much.

They'll roast well, too. Try halving them lengthways and scoring a criss-cross pattern into the cut side before roasting; it allows the heat to penetrate, but also allows you to baste them in oil, herbs, and aromatics while they roast and turn golden.

A popular way to prepare them is to slice the stalks into thick pieces, lengthways or crossways, and then lightly poach them in a flavourful stock for a few minutes. Those pieces can then be pan-fried or BBQ'd.

If you're looking to use your mushrooms to add meaty texture to plant-based dishes, the stalk can be shredded with the tines of a fork before frying, or braising into a sauce. The fibres hold their shape once cooked, and give a texture similar to pulled pork.

Storage

Keep in the fridge and aim to eat them within a few days.

Country of Origin

Produced in the UK