Unlike other oyster mushrooms, golden oyster mushrooms do not have an earthy smell and taste. These fragrant mushrooms smell like red wine and have a crispy but slightly chewy texture. You can eat these bitter mushrooms raw or cook them to achieve a pleasant nutty flavor, like that of cashews.

Golden oysters specifically have more protein than some of the others, appear to be powerful antioxidants[vi], and they are good sources of potassium, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, and vitamin B5