Mushrooms are a product that may not remain fresh for long. In rare cases, several days. For example, it is better not to store oyster mushrooms for more than one day, but to harvest them as soon as they are cut. Most housewives cook these mushrooms right away, trying not to buy them for future use, but how to extend the time if you get your hands on a large amount of this tasty and nutritious mushroom? We will tell you later in the article how long fresh oyster mushrooms can be stored in the refrigerator and what other ways to extend the shelf life of the product.
Oyster mushrooms: description and photo
Oyster mushroom or, as it is popularly called, oyster mushroom, is an edible mushroom of the oyster family. It is widespread in temperate forests. It grows in groups on stumps, dead wood and trunks of deciduous trees. Their number in a group can be 30 or more fruiting bodies, which grow together at the base, representing a kind of “bouquet”.
The fungus itself is a pest for trees, as it causes yellow rot in them. The more rot that forms, the more oyster mushrooms can be found in that area. If a tree dies due to infection, they can continue to grow on it, which is why this fungus is considered to be predatory.
Oyster mushroom is edible and does not pose a threat to the human body; it also has no resemblance to poisonous species.
The specimens grow large, the diameter of the cap can reach 10 cm. It feels dense, fleshy, has a thin edge, and the general shape is round. Age can be determined by the shape of the cap - if it is convex, then the mushroom is young, and if it is flat, then it is old. The color can vary from yellowish to ashy with a purple tint.
The leg is usually short. Often you may not even notice it under a large hat. The pulp is juicy, white and dense. Over time, it becomes tougher and more fibrous. It has practically no smell. The taste, according to many reviews, is soft and pleasant. May resemble anise. This is due to the benzaldehyde content in the chemical composition.
Did you know? In terms of protein content, oyster mushrooms can be compared to dairy products or meat. This figure is 2.5 g per 100 g.
For those who grow
And finally, let’s say a few words about how to store oyster mushrooms for those who collect or breed the crop for sale. Be sure to place the collected fruits in a well-ventilated, cool room, having previously packaged the delicacy in boxes. It is better to take care of urgent sale of the goods (2-3 days), since it cannot be stored longer - the presentation and taste will be lost.
Sources
- https://rem.ninja/kuhnya/hranenie/srok-hraneniya-gribov-veshenki-v-holodilnike.html
- https://hozsekretiki.ru/hranenie/kak-hranit-veshenki.html
- https://ogorodbezzabot.ru/griby-na-gryadke/kak-hranit-vyoshenki-v-holodilnike-i-morozilke.html
- https://prirodalife.ru/sposoby-khraneniya-gribov-veshenok-v-dom/
- https://ymadam.net/dom/hranenie/veshenki.php
- https://kakxranit.ru/produkti/kak-xranit-veshenki.html
- https://mirfermera.ru/403-gde-i-kak-hranit-veshenki-v-domashnih-usloviyah.html
- https://moi-gribi.ru/biblioteka/kak-hranit-veshenki
When and where to collect
Collection time is from September to December. In European countries and Russia they grow actively throughout the fall. Oyster mushrooms love low temperatures and appear after cold snaps. They can also grow in summer if the temperature is low for a long time. In different regions, the collection time may also fall in the spring.
Many mushroom pickers make a mistake when they go in search of this mushroom - they, as in a normal search, habitually look at their feet, while they need to look up and to the sides. Oyster mushrooms are located on tree trunks, which is where they get their name - they grow in a suspended state. Most often, they choose a birch tree as a place to grow. This is their favorite tree.
But you can find them on aspens, willows, and even pine trees. Coniferous trees rarely fall prey to this predator, but when searching, it is recommended to inspect all trees. If you decide to go collecting oyster mushrooms, then it is best to go to a deciduous forest in the fall. But there is a chance to meet them almost everywhere and at almost any time of the year.
Important! When harvesting, cut off the entire group, even the smallest fruiting bodies. They will not survive if their larger neighbors are cut off.
Using an Electric Dryer
Some housewives, farmers or simply lovers of dry fruits/mushrooms/vegetables purchase equipment that facilitates and speeds up the process. If you have access to an electric dryer, simply peel the mushrooms, cut them into small pieces and place them in a special sieve installed in the device. Experienced people recommend maintaining certain temperature stages after turning on the equipment:
- For the first two hours, dry the product at a temperature no higher than +50 degrees.
- Starting from the third hour, increase the heat to 75 degrees, continue the process until the product is ready (from 8 to 13 hours).
Do not forget to check the degree of drying at least every hour, because if you overdo it, the fruiting bodies will become unsuitable for use - they will break and crumble. If the harvest remains under-dried, mold will begin to form on the fruits, and they will become impossible to eat.
Adviсe
Pay attention to the method of storing supplies; ideal conditions are a complete absence of humidity, foreign odors and insects.
Before using dry oyster mushrooms to prepare any dish, soak the required amount of mushrooms in clean water or milk (for about 60-90 minutes).
From 10 kilograms of raw mushrooms you will get approximately 1 kilogram of dried mushrooms, the mass of the product is reduced by 85-90 percent. Take this into account when planning your inventory.
So we looked at how to dry oyster mushrooms at home. Follow the advice received and enjoy this delicious forest delicacy all year round.
How to process oyster mushrooms after harvesting
After collection, they need to be processed as soon as possible, since this product is perishable. The whole process can be divided into the following stages:
- Screening . First of all, the crop needs to be inspected. Old, wormy, rotten, damaged, frostbitten or moldy specimens should be thrown away. The presence of mucus is also a signal that the mushroom is unfit for consumption.
- Sorting . Depending on the type of subsequent preparation, the harvest is sorted by size and quality. To do this, the groups must be divided into separate instances. Small dense fruiting bodies are well suited for any type of preparation. Larger and older ones can be identified for boiling and frying.
- Cleaning . Excess debris and insects must be removed from the surface of the caps and bodies. A hard sponge is often used for this purpose, but you can also use a knife. It is recommended to cut out minor darkening and damage.
- Washing . This procedure is not necessary if the harvested crop is intended to be frozen or dried. In other cases, such cleaning is necessary.
Salting
Pickling oyster mushrooms is another way to store mushrooms at home. Salting can be hot or cold. With the cold method, peeled and washed oyster mushrooms are soaked in a salty solution for 2–6 days. A prerequisite: the water must be changed every day, otherwise the mushrooms will become bitter. The hot method differs in that the mushrooms are not soaked, but boiled in salt water for about 15 minutes. After salting, transfer the oyster mushrooms to barrels or glass jars and store at a temperature of 0 to +8 °C.
How to prepare oyster mushrooms for storage
If the harvested crop is to be stored, then it should not be washed. If excessive contamination occurs, a short rinse under running water is allowed. After this, the mushrooms need to be dried before storing. It is important to place the fruiting bodies in airtight containers as they tend to absorb odors.
Did you know? The record number of these fruiting bodies in the group was 473 pieces.
In addition, in an open container there is a possibility of chapping and drying out the contents. The bottom of the container can be lined with paper or a paper towel. The thickness of the layer in which they are laid should not exceed 20–25 cm, otherwise there is a risk that the lower rows will wrinkle. They need to be laid evenly, leg to leg, if they have not been cut. You should also place a paper towel under the container itself.
Is it possible to freeze mushrooms
If the purchase of mushrooms was significant and it is not possible to consume them immediately, it is optimal to freeze the product. In this case, oyster mushrooms can be placed fresh or processed thermally. It is permissible to freeze a fresh product when it has no flaws. Slightly spoiled, cracked elements must be boiled or fried beforehand.
Fresh
Before freezing, mushrooms are not washed or soaked in water, because the liquid can turn into ice, expand and disrupt their structure. Before loading into the freezer, it is better to clean using the dry method, wipe with a napkin or brush off the dust with a brush. The stem of oyster mushrooms is tough and is rarely used for cooking, so a significant part of it should be immediately cut off and thrown away.
In order for the mushrooms to retain their structure as much as possible and not turn into a shapeless mass after defrosting, they should be placed on the board in one layer, maintaining a distance between each one. The tray with mushrooms is placed in the freezer for several hours, they should “set”. After this, they can be placed in freezer bags or transferred to special food containers.
At home, you can store oyster mushrooms in the freezer for 5 months. If the home chamber is productive and provides a constant temperature of -18-24 degrees, you can keep mushrooms in it for 1 year. Individual portions should be small; re-freezing the product is unacceptable.
Boiled
You can store oyster mushrooms in the refrigerator if they are frozen in boiled form. To begin with, the fruiting bodies are cut into small pieces - individual mushrooms, and then boiled in salted water for 10 minutes. From the boiling water, carefully transfer them into a colander using a slotted spoon, and when the water has drained, place them on a paper towel. It is important to ensure complete removal of moisture from inside the product.
Attention! Frozen boiled oyster mushrooms last in the freezer for 7-8 months at a temperature of -18 degrees.
Fried
If the product will later be used to prepare mushroom soup, it is optimal to fry it immediately along with onions and carrots to obtain a ready-made fry. It should be cooked with minimal addition of vegetable oil and simmered until the liquid has completely evaporated. Pack the resulting mixture into separate containers with a volume of 200-300 ml (for one-time use). Do not defrost the mixture before use; throw it frozen into boiling water. Oyster mushrooms prepared using this method can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, and frozen for six months.
How long does it last in the refrigerator?
You can find the approximate temperature conditions and shelf life below:
- +7…+10°С – 12–17 hours;
- 0…+5°С – 24–72 hours;
- -2…0°C – 72–96 hours.
Manufacturing plants often use refrigerators that can maintain a constant temperature down to -2°C, which can extend their shelf life by up to 2 weeks. For longer storage, it is recommended to use deep freezing.
Preparation
Optimal storage conditions for oyster mushrooms are temperature from +2 to +10 °C, good ventilation and free distribution in prepared containers. But special attention should be paid to preparing mushrooms for storage. First of all, they need to be cleaned properly. Otherwise, the mushrooms will become watery and lose their nutrients.
Considering that oyster mushrooms grow on trees, there is practically no dirt on them. Therefore, they do not need to be soaked. Sort through the mushrooms, remove any wormy or spoiled ones. Even minor damage can cause damage to all neighboring mushrooms. Divide the oyster mushrooms into small piles. Place each of them in a colander and rinse under strong running water. Place the washed pieces on a board or plate and dry slightly. Further actions will depend on which storage method you prefer and for what dishes the mushrooms will be used.
How much and how to store in the freezer
The freezer allows you to preserve your harvest for a long time without losing its taste and beneficial qualities.
Important! If defrosting occurs due to a power outage or other circumstances, mushrooms cannot be re-frozen. This will significantly degrade their quality.
To understand how long you can freeze for, you need to check the deep-freezing temperature conditions:
- -12…-14°С – 3–4 months;
- -14…-18°С – 4–6 months;
- -18…-24°С - up to 1 year.
Do not forget about preliminary preparation and proper packaging of fruiting bodies. No more than 1 kg should be stored in one container.
Now you know how to properly store purchased or collected oyster mushrooms. Follow the advice in this article, and these mushrooms will be able to delight you with their taste and benefits for a long time.
Drying
You can dry mushrooms in the fresh air, in the oven, or by combining both methods. It is better to dehydrate oyster mushrooms according to the scheme presented below.
- Place the washed and peeled mushrooms on a baking sheet and dry at a temperature not exceeding +50 °C for about 8 hours.
- After the specified period, place the dried preparations in a ventilated area for 1–2 days. Make sure that the mushrooms are well ventilated, otherwise they will spoil.
- Place the oyster mushrooms again in the oven to dry for 6 hours at +70 °C.
- Check the condition of the mushrooms. If they break, they are ready. If necessary, dry the workpieces at a temperature of +50 °C.
Pickling
There are two ways to marinate mushrooms. In any case, you will need a saucepan for marinating and jars in which ready-made dishes will be stored (Figure 7).
In the first method, vinegar, allspice, garlic or other spices are mixed in a saucepan. Bring the marinade to a boil, add mushrooms to it and cook for half an hour. After that, they are transferred to jars, filled with the remaining marinade and rolled up.
Figure 7. Pickling oyster mushrooms for winter storage
For the second method of pickling, mushrooms are first boiled in salted water, placed in jars, and then the marinade is prepared and poured with boiling liquid.
The difference between these methods is only in the duration of storage. The first method allows you to store mushrooms for a year, while with the second this period is no more than 6 months.
