Common in Asian cuisines, oyster mushrooms imbue dishes with an earthy flavor and a meaty texture. Oyster mushrooms can be stuffed, grilled, roasted or used in sauce or stir fry. Whether they were collected in the wild or purchased from a commercial supplier, oyster mushrooms will typically have dirt that needs to be cleaned. Cleaning is a delicate process, as you do not want to water-log the mushrooms or damage their gills. Wiping the mushrooms clean one by one is the preferred method; however, for large quantities when this is not practical, a rinsing method can be used.
Things You'll Need
For small quantities:
Knife
Lint-free towel
Mushroom brush
Toothpick
For large quantities:
Knife
Strainer
Paper towels
Toothpick
Small Quantities
Step 1
Cut off the base of mushroom clusters, using a sharp knife. Separate the individual mushrooms. Cut off any parts of stems that are not tender.
Step 2
Wipe the mushrooms gently with a clean, slightly moistened towel. Use a lint-free towel to ensure no fibers stick to the mushroom. Alternatively, a mushroom brush can be used, which is designed to avoid damaging the fragile skin of mushrooms.
Step 3
Inspect the gills for any insects or debris. Extract any elements from between the gills using a toothpick.
Large Quantities
Step 1
Cut off the base of mushroom clusters, using a sharp knife. Separate the individual mushrooms. Cut off any parts of stems that are not tender.
Step 2
Place the mushrooms in a strainer. Handle the mushrooms with care, as they are fragile.
Step 3
Rinse the mushrooms fairly quickly under a gentle spray of water. Do not allow the mushrooms to become overly soaked.
Step 4
Pat the mushrooms dry with paper towels. Inspect the gills for insects or debris as you dry the mushrooms. Extract any elements from between the gills using a toothpick.
Step 5
Lay the mushrooms out to air dry for at least 30 minutes. Place them with their gills facing down so any trapped water can drain.