Oyster Mushrooms

My youngest had the stomach bug last week so when she started feeling better, she ask for Wanton Soup, without the wantons. I stopped by the local Asian Market and picked up a mix, and while there, grabbed some scallions and fresh Oyster mushrooms. I thought I would make mushroom soup for my bride and myself.
Never having eaten Oyster Mushrooms before, I did not know what to expect. The texture was fantastic, but the anise like flavor was not my favorite. The soup ended up being ok, but that may have been due to the Sriracha. I don't think I will be buying them again soon.

 

I wouldn't say oyster mushrooms have an anise flavor. They do soak up whatever they are around so maybe they picked something else up along the line?

 

I, personally have never experienced an anise flavour either. Not too sure what happened... Next time you're at a farmers market or grocery store maybe try them again just for comparison if you're willing?

- Steve

 

Hmmm. Sounds like a do over is in order.

Is this wonton bias a family trait Mike? :brkn

 

I love wontons, my 8 yr old, not so much.

The soup only had beef stock, scallions, and mushrooms. I smelled anise in the soup and thought something was wrong, bad shrooms or something. Googled it and see that they have an anise odor. Apparently the method of growing them can affect the anise characteristics.

http://www.mssf.org/cookbook/oyster.html

 

I usually buy from a guy who harvests them wild from a swamp and they taste and smell very earthy. Most of the farmed ones are very mild and pick up more sauce flavor, rather than having any I their own.

 

I've only ever had wild, or hydroponic. Bought and cooked pounds and pounds of both at the last restaurant. Although there is a couple different types out there- anise is definitely in the back palate on some of them, but it's never been a forward flavor IME. Maybe you just got a batch that was farmed in a manner that brought out more of this do to the growing medium/surroundings? They also could have been shipped/stored near some star anise. That stuff is one of the most powerful spices on the damn planet...

 

I love cooking them with garlic, butter, onion and shrimp!

 

try fried wontons with sweet & sour sauce, every kids I know love it!!

 

This is interesting to me, lucky my local ones have no anise flavour. Is there an anise smell/taste to them before cooking as well? Or is it just after they've been cooked the flavour comes out?

- Steve