Fungal Jungle King Oyster Mushrooms (Ali'i Oyster, Pleurotus eryngii) are Hawaii-grown specialty mushrooms cultivated by Hamakua Heritage Farm in Laupahoehoe on the Big Island. Sold in an 8 oz container, these are the largest of the oyster mushroom varieties, prized for their dense, meaty texture and rich umami flavor.

Grown using the traditional Japanese bottle cultivation method — one of only a handful of producers using this technique in the United States — the mushrooms develop in a substrate of locally sourced eucalyptus wood, wheat bran, corn cob, and water inside a climate-controlled 16,000 square-foot indoor facility. No synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, or hormones are used at any stage of production. Because they are wood-decomposing mushrooms grown in sunlit, air-conditioned rooms, they have a refrigerated shelf life of up to four weeks, far longer than conventional button mushrooms.

Their firm, scallop-like texture makes them ideal for searing, grilling, or sautéing, and they hold their shape well in stir-fries, risottos, and poke preparations. They are especially popular in vegetarian and vegan recipes as a satisfying meat substitute. Hamakua Mushrooms have been featured at celebrated Hawaiian restaurants including Merriman's and Alan Wong's, and were served at the White House during President Obama's inaugural dinner and at the APEC Conference in Hawaii.