Eryngii, king oyster mushroom, false cep, royal oyster mushroom, or the King oyster.
This mushroom of Mediterranean origin is naturally found at the base of eryngos, which are spiny plants from the Apiaceae family. It belongs to the family of saprophytic mushrooms, which decompose dead matter, like most cultivated mushrooms.
It has very good preservation thanks to its firm and dense flesh, and its low water content. The stem resembles the texture of Bordeaux ceps. It has a light almond or hazelnut flavor.
They can be cooked in different ways: scallops, or as carpaccios, for example.
In terms of cultivation, it is sometimes more demanding than its cousin, the oyster mushroom. On one hand, it is more particular about the substrate: it prefers softwood sawdust over straw. On the other hand, it is relatively susceptible to diseases and its productivity is less predictable than that of the oyster mushroom. That said, it is a variety that can be very productive.
