What are commonly called mushrooms?
This is the name given to representatives of a separate kingdom of heterotrophic (using ready-made substances for nutrition) organisms. Since they combine the characteristics of animals and plants, they are assigned an intermediate position relative to them.
But to be more precise, in our case this term will be a colloquial designation of the fruiting body of the macromycelite fungus. This kingdom is numerous and diverse. There is a simplified classification, where its representatives are divided into inedible, poisonous and actually edible.
Among the latter, the cap species are mainly consumed. Therefore, we will be interested in them.
Interesting facts about storing mushrooms
In science, the kingdom of fungi is designated by the Latin term Fungi. It is interesting in that its representatives lack chlorophyll and are heterotrophs on the one hand (which speaks of them not as plants), contain chitin with hemicellulose and urea metabolism products, the formation of glycogen as a reserve substance on the other (but are not animals).
Canning
Pickling has been used since ancient times. There are many pickling recipes, choose according to your taste. Today, mushrooms are popular in various marinades. By the way, frozen mushrooms are also pickled. Salted and pickled products are stored refrigerated. You can enjoy great taste all winter long.
If all preservation rules are followed, pickled mushrooms can be stored from a year (if the jar is sealed with a tin lid) to two years (if there is a glass lid). Choose for yourself how you will store the porcini mushrooms.
Mushrooms are an interesting natural gift. What appears before us is just the small tip of a huge iceberg. There is a theory about the intelligence of mushrooms, that they are endowed with a similarity to our sense organs, which we collect, fry, cook, salt, and dry with great pleasure.
General rules for storing mushrooms
First of all, you will need refrigeration equipment. But don’t rush to immediately throw mushrooms into the well-known box of vegetables.
This is a bad idea, because the humidity level in it is not at all suitable for storing a product of this class. Remember right away: the notorious moisture is the worst enemy in preserving the suitability of mushrooms for consumption. Therefore, there is no need to wash them unless you plan to eat them soon.
Mushrooms, due to the peculiarities of their structure, very easily absorb the odors of their surroundings. This means that you should not place them next to strong-smelling foods, as this may have a negative effect on their taste.
- You will do well to place the mushrooms in a breathable container. Its task is to ensure the removal of excess moisture.
- If you are dealing with purchased ones, for example, champignons or boletus, and you plan to cook them after a little time, then using the original packaging is quite possible.
- But there is one “but” - it must be open so as not to upset the humidity balance.
Freezing
Freezing is the ideal way to store fresh mushrooms. This method allows you to store mushrooms in the freezer for 4 to 12 months. To prevent mushrooms from losing their nutritional value when exposed to cold, it is recommended to first blanch them.
Rinse the mushrooms in cold water. Soak briefly in saline solution. Cut large legs and caps into quarters. Pat dry lightly, then plunge into boiling water for 1-2 minutes. This is blanching. Let the mushrooms cool and dry. Place in bags and freeze. The optimal temperature for long-term storage is –18°C.
Now you know how to properly store mushrooms at home. Always monitor temperature, humidity and odors. If you can’t cook fresh mushrooms in the near future, freeze them immediately. From time to time, sort through your supplies of dried mushrooms. It is better to spend time on a careful inspection than to throw away all the workpieces later. Remember that if stored incorrectly, mushrooms begin to deteriorate within a few hours. Therefore, inspect them carefully before cooking. If you doubt the quality of the product, it is better not to use it.
Mushrooms at room temperature
According to the Oxford Dictionary of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, the average value is +20˚С.
- That is, if you eat mushrooms that have previously lain for more than several hours at a temperature above the specified temperature, then poisoning is more than possible.
- This is explained by the fact that an indicator higher than +4˚С promotes the formation of a favorable environment for all kinds of bacteria.
Keeping raw mushrooms fresh
As mentioned above, a temperature of more than +4˚С is essentially a death sentence for our heroes. And this is a reason to pay attention to the thermostat built into the refrigerator and, if necessary, make appropriate adjustments.
Mushrooms can be placed in a porous paper package and wrapped in a damp cloth. However, keep in mind - this method reduces their shelf life to one week.
How to prolong product freshness
It is impossible to accurately answer the question of how long fresh, boiled or pickled mushrooms can be stored in the refrigerator or basement, as already mentioned above. It all depends on the type and nature of the product. Purchased specimens of champignons or oyster mushrooms are stored for up to 1 week, but those collected in the forest can turn black and become wormy in 1 day. To prolong freshness:
- they begin to clean the mushrooms immediately after returning from the forest, it is better to do this somewhere on the edge of the forest, throwing away specimens damaged by worms and forest animals (if you travel far, even initially untouched mushrooms will quickly become worm-eaten);
- clean caps and stems, washed under running water, are sprinkled with salt (arranged in layers - a layer of salt and a layer of mushrooms, stored in the refrigerator for 1 week);
- mushrooms are packaged in an opaque container; even artificial light is dangerous for them, reducing the shelf life several times.
How to Preserve Kombucha for Later Use
If the question of how to preserve fresh mushrooms arises in camping conditions, then experienced mushroom pickers suggest returning to the experience of our naked ancestors and remembering that the freshness of meat, vegetables and mushrooms, among other things, was preserved by drying over a fire. Only whole mushrooms were selected for drying. After cleaning them from dirt, they were cut into pieces and laid out on a burdock leaf or piece of wood, allowing excess moisture to evaporate. After 2-3 hours, the mushrooms were strung on threads and hung over the fire. They dried very quickly, so if a mushroom picker finds himself far from home and is worried about how to keep the mushrooms fresh for several days in order to please his family with the forest harvest, this option will suit him.
Image by Waldrebell from Pixabay
You should not automatically classify store-bought mushrooms as fresh. Even if the seller is not trying to deceive anyone and has indicated the correct packaging date on the product, at least a day may pass from the moment of collection to purchase. It is better to eat the product immediately.
About storing mushrooms in the refrigerator and freezer
Under standard conditions, raw and at the same time whole mushrooms will remain suitable for consumption for four to seven days. As for the chopped ones, you should not wait with them for more than two days.
If we are talking about preserving such a product, then the need for low temperature is minimal until the moment of opening. Place the container in the refrigerator and you won’t have to worry about anything for three to four days.
As for the freezer, this is for fried mushrooms. All others will simply lose the freshness effect.
Where to buy fresh and wild mushrooms
Every day, mushrooms are becoming more popular in the food world.
Every day, mushrooms are becoming more popular in the food world. Nowadays, farm-to-table cuisine is growing very quickly. The best places to buy fresh wild mushrooms are local, such as a farmer's market or a specialty store with a nature's gifts section. However, when this is not possible, there are several online mushroom sellers that offer quality products for your mushroom purchases.
If you're not sure which mushrooms you should buy, it's always a good idea to speak directly to the farmer or retailer for local recommendations. Feel free to share recipes or personal taste preferences with the farmer or retailer. This information will influence what mushrooms they may recommend based on your taste preferences or recipe. Wild mushrooms are seasonal, which affects both their availability and price, so be prepared for some sellers to not sell certain varieties at certain times. Whenever possible, it's best to eat what's in season, as it will taste best and will likely be the most affordable option.
Some mushrooms are highly toxic, so wherever you choose to shop, always check the retailer's credentials when purchasing wild mushrooms. Do not pick wild mushrooms unless you are with someone who can confidently recognize the difference between safe and poisonous mushrooms.
If you can't find fresh mushrooms at your local market, many online stores sell and ship local mushrooms. Another option is to buy dried mushrooms, which are easy to rehydrate and can be used in many delicious recipes.
Features of storing boiled mushrooms
Standard refrigeration conditions will give them a shelf life of three to five days. Yes, they can be frozen, which will allow them to be stored for more than a year, although they will lose their taste after about ten months.
Keeping them at room temperature is contraindicated: after two hours they will deteriorate.
Necessary canons
Freshly picked mushrooms do not last long in the refrigerator. Products purchased in the store are already packaged properly (vacuum packaging) with expiration dates indicated.
So, how to properly store them?
- Select intact specimens without any damage. To do this, when picking, do not pull out the mushroom, but cut off the stem with a knife.
- They should not be washed. Place them in a container (preferably enameled) and cover with a clean towel.
- Do you decide to wash the mushrooms? Don't get carried away, because they absorb moisture very much. After washing, dry them thoroughly.
- To clean the harvested crop from unwanted worms, you need to immerse it in salt water for about ten minutes, then dry it.
- Storage containers should facilitate ventilation of the product. Paper bags and enamel containers are suitable. The dish with mushrooms placed in it is covered with a cotton towel or paper.
- Plastic bags are strictly contraindicated - mushrooms spoil faster in them.
Having fulfilled all the instructions, we will be able to preserve mushrooms for a short period of time, but we want this nutritious and healthy product to always be at hand. Therefore, you can freeze, pickle or preserve mushrooms and dry them. Consider each published option.
How to ensure long-term storage of mushrooms
In addition to freezing, mushrooms can remain edible for a long time by drying. To avoid sudden damage, you need to prepare for the upcoming procedure.
- First, you will have to clean the mushrooms (the use of water is not recommended, the best option would be, for example, a paper towel) and then cut them into slices, maintaining a thickness of one centimeter.
- Carefully lay them out on, for example, a grill and place them in a sunny area that has been previously selected and protected from birds, insects, etc. Once the mushrooms are thoroughly dry, place them in an airtight container. Protect it from light, moisture and do not leave it in an overly warm place.
Other equally effective methods are preservation and pickling.
Other methods
You can also dehydrate mushrooms and turn them into powder, but we don't have much experience with this. You will need to use some kind of food, dehydrate it or cook it at 125°F for 8-9 hours.
Dehydration basically dries out the mushroom with a water content of 90-95%. This slows down the rate of its deterioration. You will still need to store it in an airtight container to prolong its shelf life.
Another way to extend the shelf life of mushrooms is to use food that you put in the refrigerator. You simply place them in a food storage container. It helps regulate the flow of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
When does further storage become dangerous?
A number of signs indicate the hopeless deterioration of mushrooms, which are simply very difficult not to notice.
The very first and at the same time banal one is an unpleasant smell. This is already a good reason to stop consuming them. No less convincing witnesses will be dark spots, slimy shrooms and a very wrinkled surface.
The manifestation of at least one of these signs in mushrooms is a direct guide to their disposal.
Mushroom is tasty and even healthy when consumed in moderation. Can be a great addition to your dishes. But at the same time, it is demanding on storage conditions. Improper compliance with the latter is a direct path to poisoning. Remember this!
Drying and drying
It is believed that dried porcini mushrooms are much tastier than natural ones. As they say, the taste and color, however, are noted for the rich and concentrated aroma and taste of dried boletus.
This storage option requires pre-processing and has its own nuances:
- Only high-quality products can be dried, without the slightest damage, and even more so, signs of spoilage;
- mushrooms are not washed;
- dry cleaning;
- remove the end of the leg;
- sort;
- Do not use metal knives;
- very large specimens are crushed.
There are several ways to dry and cure. Traditionally, they are dried in the sun (removed at night to prevent them from getting damp). Boletus mushrooms are also dried in the oven or using an electric dryer.
Store in glass containers, fabric and paper bags. Dried mushrooms can be stored for up to six months. Mushroom powder can be prepared from them; its shelf life reaches three years.
