Italian Oyster

Italian Oyster

Rising In Popularity

Pleurotus pulmonarius is yet another oyster mushroom that has taken the spotlight in many kitchens across North America. It is also known as the Phoenix, Indian, or Lung mushroom based on the appearance of a fully mature pleurotus pulmonarius (pulmonarius is Latin for lungs). Most mushrooms require oxygen to live and they emit carbon dioxide during the exchange but that’s not how this mushroom got its name. The Italian oyster mushroom simply looks very similar to a lung and for obvious reasons these mushrooms are usually sold using the names Italian, Phoenix, or Indian mushrooms.

The Italian oyster mushrooms are cultivated commercially around the world and are one of the most important components of Chinese medicines. The mushrooms are sometimes dried and crushed and used as medicinal ingredients for a wide variety of health products. The scientific studies on pleurotus pulmonarius in particular are rare and actual health data on this species is not extensive. However, we are still taking about mushrooms which just happen to be the healthiest vegetable on the planet so there is no doubting the power packed into Italian oyster mushrooms. The question is not, do Italian oyster mushrooms provide health benefits? The question is, how many health benefits do Italian oyster mushrooms provide?

Much like their oyster mushroom cousins, Italian oyster mushrooms possess anticancer fighting compounds like selenium, choline, and folate. Italian oysters are loaded with vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) and vitamin B3 (niacin) that will help to boost your immune system. Eating a one cup serving of cooked Italian oyster mushrooms will provide 8% of your recommended daily intake of amino acids, vitamin C, potassium, riboflavin, vitamin B6, pantothenic acid, folic acid, and magnesium. So there is no need to wait for blazing headlines of scientific breakthroughs announcing, ‘Italian oyster mushrooms provide just as many health benefits as other oyster mushrooms.’ Instead, take what we already know about the health benefits of oyster mushrooms, grab a good handful of Italian oyster mushrooms, and make one heck of a deliciously healthy dish.