Oyster mushrooms, a variety of Asian mushroom, are white, gray, or pink in color and have a tender texture and mild flavor faintly reminiscent of oysters. Select firm, plump mushrooms that are not slimy or bruised. Store mushroom unwashed-lightly wrapped in paper towels or in a paper bag, never in plastic-in the refrigerator.
To clean fresh oyster mushrooms:
Remove grit by wiping with a damp paper towel or mushroom brush. For a more thorough cleaning, swish the mushrooms very briefly in water, then pat dry with paper towels. For other mushroom varieties, see button, chanterelle, Chinese black, cremini, cultivated, porcini, portobello, shiitake, straw, and tree ear mushrooms, and truffles.