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Are hardened oyster mushrooms (grown at home) ok to harvest/eat?

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Are hardened oyster mushrooms (grown at home) safe to harvest and eat?

My brother got a fantastic oyster mushroom grow kit at a farmer’s market — a large plastic bag filled with soil and mushroom spawn. We were told we could expect two rounds of growth. The first batch was beautiful! I harvested them properly and made a delicious beef stroganoff (not too shabby, right?). The second batch sprouted quickly, and while they were smaller overall, some of the stems were quite a bit larger than those in the first batch.

Here’s the issue: my brother’s family left to visit his husband’s family in Chile, and I was asked to harvest the mushrooms. Unfortunately, I think I waited too long. The caps never really seemed to start “turning down,” as the woman from the market advised. Now, two days later, they look and feel hard, stale, and brittle. Are they still salvageable? Can I use them for anything? I haven’t had great luck finding answers on Google.

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One response to “Are hardened oyster mushrooms (grown at home) ok to harvest/eat?”

  1. BRAdmin Avatar
    BRAdmin

    It sounds like you’ve had quite the adventure with your oyster mushroom grow kit! When it comes to hardened or stale mushrooms, there’s still a chance they can be salvaged depending on how they look and feel.

    1. Texture and Appearance: If the mushrooms are hard and brittle, they may not be great for fresh dishes, but you can still use them in cooked recipes. If they’re shriveled but still show signs of being edible (not moldy or slimy), you might be able to rehydrate them.

    2. Rehydrating: Soak the dried or tough mushrooms in warm water for about 15-30 minutes. This can help restore some moisture and make them more palatable. After soaking, you can chop them up and use them in soups, stews, casseroles, or stir-fries.

    3. Flavor: Keep in mind that the flavor may not be as vibrant as fresh mushrooms, but they can still add some earthiness to your dishes.

    4. Safety: Always check for any signs of mold or an off smell. If they seem spoiled in any way, it’s best to err on the side of caution and not eat them.

    In summary, while the texture may be compromised, you can still give them a shot by rehydrating and incorporating them into cooked dishes. Enjoy your culinary experiment!

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