Oyster mushrooms are ostensibly the easiest edible mushroom to grow, making them the succulent of the fungi world and a great addition to your indoor garden if you’re not exactly a pro. These mushroom spores are planted on the inside of aspen and poplar trees and delivered to your doorstep ready to flourish. Just place them in a damp, cool, and dark setting and wait for the magic to happen. 

Once your shrooms are ready to harvest, you can treat them like a meat substitute and serve them fried, sautéed, or added into pastas, stews, and soups. “Oyster mushrooms are earthy, aromatic, and sweet with a subtle anise finish (like black licorice) when cooked,” says Chef Katie Chin, cookbook author and Asian food expert. ”They taste like button mushrooms when eaten raw.”