The velvety texture and briny flavor of oyster mushrooms make them a favorite among mushroom lovers. Its delicate, slightly sweet flavor pairs well with many different dishes, making it a versatile ingredient in the kitchen. You may be wondering, ‘when to harvest oyster mushrooms?’
Aside from their savory taste, oyster mushrooms are also known for their health benefits. They are a good source of vitamins B and C and minerals like potassium and selenium.
Many people have decided to grow their own oyster mushrooms at home. It’s relatively easy to do so. Aside from the initial investment in a mushroom growing kit, it’s a very affordable way to enjoy these delicious fungi.
Many individuals think mushroom farming is a delicate process, but oyster mushrooms are quite resilient. Given the right temperature and humidity, they will happily grow in various substrates, including coffee grounds, straw, and even cardboard.
One of the most common questions that people have about growing oyster mushrooms is when to harvest them. So, does timing matter when it comes to harvesting oyster mushrooms? Let’s look at when to harvest oyster mushrooms.
The Best Time to Harvest Oyster Mushrooms
While there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, there are a few things to keep in mind that will help you determine when your mushrooms are ready to be picked.
Timing does matter when harvesting oyster mushrooms. It makes all the difference in terms of taste, texture, and appearance. If you pick them too early, they will be small and less flavorful. If you wait too long, they will become tough and rubbery. The key is to harvest them at just the right time.
In terms of season, there’s no particular season as oyster mushrooms are grown in a temperature and humidity-controlled environment, ideally. However, if you’re harvesting them from the wild, they are typically in season during late summer and early fall.
When it comes to determining when they’re ready to be picked, size is the most important factor. The mushrooms should be big enough that the caps have started to open up and flatten. Initially, its caps are in a convex form. Once it turns into a concave form, then it’s ready for harvest.
You’d want to do your harvest before they start dropping spores. The gills should be deep brown in color, and the spores are visible if you look under the caps.
You’ll notice that your mushrooms will start to get bigger and dry out. Additionally, if you’ve started noticing that your mushrooms are dropping bits of white dust, don’t wait any longer and harvest them immediately.
Important Things to Remember When Harvesting Oyster Mushrooms
While harvesting mushrooms isn’t necessarily rocket science, getting the right timing is important if you want to enjoy them at their best. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- New growers can pick up a mushroom kit that comes with complete instructions. From the packaging, you’ll be given an estimated timeframe of when your mushrooms will be ready for harvest.
- Bigger mushrooms don’t necessarily mean they’re better. Mainly relying on its size is a bad indicator because bigger mushrooms are often overgrown. When they’re overgrown, the mushrooms may be less flavorful and may be tough to chew.
- It usually takes 3-5 days to harvest oyster mushrooms as soon as they’ve formed.
- Closely monitor the caps – once they’ve turned up, they’re ready.
- When monitoring your oyster mushrooms, use the largest mushrooms as the basis. Once the biggest ones are ready, the rest will follow close behind.
How to Properly Harvest Oyster Mushrooms
Now that you know when to harvest oyster mushrooms, it’s time to learn how to do it properly. After all, you don’t want to damage your hard-earned crop.
You have two options: pinch or cut. Pinching is when you simply twist the mushroom at its base to detach it from the substrate. This method is ideal if you plan on growing more mushrooms as it won’t damage the mycelium (mushroom roots).
Cutting, on the other hand, involves using a knife to sever the mushroom’s stem. This is a good method if you want to eat the mushrooms immediately as it minimizes bruising.
After you’re done harvesting your oyster mushrooms, you can turn your substrate around. Sometimes, the mycelium will recover and continue to produce more mushrooms.
Once you’re done, get rid of the straw or add it to your compost bin. Mushrooms may start appearing in the compost bin – remember not to eat them as they’re no longer edible.
When to Harvest Oyster Mushrooms: Final Thoughts
Picking the right time to harvest your oyster mushrooms is important if you want to enjoy them at their best. Keep an eye on the size and shape of the caps, as well as the color of the gills.
Once they’ve started to open up and flatten, or the gills have turned a deep brown, you’ll know it’s time! Don’t worry if you don’t get it right the first time. You’ll eventually get a feel for it with experience.