What Are King Oyster Mushrooms ?

King oyster mushrooms, also known by their scientific name ‘Pleurotus eryngii,’ are native to the Mediterranean, North Africa, and parts of the Middle East and Asia.

 

As shown in the above image, kingvpular in East Asian cuisine and feature in various dishes from this region of the world.

In recent times, king oyster mushrooms have had worldwide distribution and production, and they are widely available in large grocery stores.

In addition to their ‘king oyster’ name, the mushrooms have several other nicknames, including ‘king trumpet.’

 

Taste and Texture

King oyster mushrooms have an interesting taste and texture.

Despite being relatively mild by themselves, they have a refreshing earthy flavor. The mushrooms also absorb flavors from dishes in which they are incorporated.

King oysters have a chewy and meaty texture, somewhat resembling squid.

Since the mushrooms are thick and have a high water content, they are also quite juicy.

Key Point: King oyster mushrooms are a large and thick mushroom variety with a chewy texture and enjoyable taste.

 

Nutrition Facts

The following table and lists display the full nutritional values for king oyster mushrooms per 3.5 oz (100 gram) serving.

The source of nutritional data is the USDA’s FoodData Central database. Daily values have been calculated using the FDA’s recommended daily values, based on a 2000-calorie diet 

Name	Amount	% Daily Value (DV)
Calories	46 kcal
Carbohydrates	8.5 g	3.1% DV
Fat	0.31 g	0.4% DV
Protein	2.41 g	4.8% DV

^{Table 1: Basic nutrition facts for king oyster mushrooms per 3.5 oz (100g) serving}

 

As shown in the table, king oyster mushrooms are low in calories. They provide a small to moderate level of carbohydrates and a low level of fat and protein.

Unfortunately, the USDA data does not provide the full nutritional breakdown for carbohydrates (fiber and sugar) and fat (saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated).

 

 

Vitamins

• Biotin: 36.7% DV
• Niacin (vitamin B3): 40.3% DV
• Riboflavin (vitamin B2): 18.5% DV
• Thiamin (vitamin B1): <1% DV
• Vitamin B6: 0.8% DV
• Vitamin D: 0.4% DV

 

King oyster mushrooms provide a significant source of biotin, niacin, and riboflavin.

These B vitamins play a role in the metabolism of food and contribute to the immune system 

Minerals

• Calcium: 0.2% DV
• Copper: 5.2% DV
• Iron: 1.9% DV
• Magnesium: 3.2% DV
• Manganese: 3.9% DV
• Phosphorus: 7.2% DV
• Potassium: 6.3% DV
• Selenium: 2.2% DV
• Sodium: <0.1% DV
• Zinc: 5.7% DV

 

King oyster mushrooms provide a broad range of essential minerals in relatively small to moderate amounts.

 

Water Content

King oyster mushrooms have a high water content; they are 88% water by weight.

Key Point: King oyster mushrooms are primarily a source of water and carbohydrates and only contain small amounts of protein and fat. Among the vitamins and minerals they contain, the mushrooms offer a significant amount of riboflavin, niacin, and biotin.

 

Potential Benefits of King Oyster Mushrooms

There has been a lot of research on king oyster mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, and mushrooms in general.

However, much of this research has focused on high-strength extracts used in in-vitro studies (sometimes referred to as “test tube” studies). As a result, it isn’t easy to ascertain how relevant findings from this type of study are to human health.

This section examines some potential benefits of king oyster mushrooms based on the compounds they contain, animal research, and study findings from trials using human participants.

 

 May Help Improve Blood Sugar and ‘Fullness’ Levels

A randomized controlled crossover trial published in 2022 recruited

19 participants to examine the postprandial (post-meal) effects of king oyster mushrooms on blood sugar levels and hunger.

Participants consumed two different meals at different points; one containing king oyster mushrooms and a control meal matched for calories and macronutrients.

After each meal, blood tests were taken every thirty minutes until three hours after the meal.

Notably, the participants had a lower blood sugar response after the meal containing king oyster mushrooms. Additionally, levels of a ‘hunger hormone’ called ghrelin were lower after the king oyster meal alongside higher ratings of self-perceived fullness and a lower desire to eat.

 

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