Delicious, nutritious and versatile, mushrooms can add intense flavors to almost any dish. However, they are not a lasting ingredient: mushrooms can begin to shrivel in a few days, a sign that they are on their way to decay. Some clues may indicate that the best time to eat them has already passed and relate to color, smell and texture. If you want to make them last longer, choose the freshest and firmest specimens when buying, then store them in the refrigerator in a container with breathable slits.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Identify the Signs of Decay
Step 1. Notice if the mushrooms have areas where they appear dry or shriveled
These are the first signs that can let you know that they are about to go bad. If they are only slightly wrinkled, have no slimy or discolored parts, and don't smell bad, use them immediately.
If the mushrooms are shriveled, it means that the decay phase has already begun and will soon become unusable
Step 2. Notice if there are any dark spots
If the mushrooms have any defects, it is best not to eat them. When it comes to food safety, stains are never a good sign. Blemishes and black or brown spots are among the main clues that the mushrooms are spoiling.
If the mushrooms or other products are simply bruised and there are no other signs of spoilage, you can consider cutting off the damaged part with the knife and using the rest of the food. If, on the other hand, the mushrooms are covered in dark spots, throw them in the trash
Step 3. Throw away the mushrooms if they are slimy
If they are covered with a slimy sheen, there is no doubt: they are unusable. The only worst sign is the presence of mold visible to the naked eye. If the mushrooms are slimy or moldy, throw them away immediately to avoid food poisoning.
In this case, the mushrooms will have lost their flavor and nutritional value, so there is no good reason to eat them
Safety Precautions:
Spoiled mushrooms can make you sick, so don't take unnecessary risks. It's best to err on the side of caution and throw away the food if you think it may have gone bad.
Step 4. Throw away the mushrooms if they smell sour or smell like fish
Bad smell is another sign that surely indicates that the mushrooms have gone bad. Fresh mushrooms have a delicately sweet and earthy scent, they certainly don't have an unpleasant odor. If when you smell them you notice that they emit a pungent or fish-like odor, it's time to throw them away.
Throw away spoiled foods immediately to prevent mold or bacteria from proliferating and spreading to other ingredients in the refrigerator
Method 2 of 3: Keeping Track of Mushroom Lifespan
Step 1. Whole fresh mushrooms can be stored for up to 7-10 days
As a general rule, common varieties such as champignons or portobello can be stored in the refrigerator for about a week. However, the duration depends on the time that elapsed between the time they were collected and the time you bought them. If they have been in store for several days, they may start to go bad after just 24-48 hours of purchase.
To ensure the best quality, buy the freshest mushrooms available and use them within 3-4 days at the latest. In-store, select the visibly firmer, meatier, and flawless specimens
Step 2. If the mushrooms are cut, use them within 5-7 days
While they are practical, pre-cut mushrooms decay up to twice as fast as whole mushrooms. If you need to keep them for several days, buy them whole instead of cut.
Suggestion:
from the greengrocer he buys whole fresh mushrooms, selecting those with perfectly intact caps and stems. Broken or dented specimens are destined to last less than those in perfect condition.
Step 3. If you have any cooked mushrooms left over, throw them away after 3-4 days
Most cooked foods, including mushrooms, fish, meat and vegetables, can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, after which time the food must be frozen or thrown away. If you decide to freeze the mushrooms, you can keep them for up to 8-12 months
- Once cooked, the mushrooms should be placed in the refrigerator within a couple of hours, otherwise mold and bacteria may begin to form. When you are ready to eat the leftover mushrooms, reheat them and make sure they reach 75 ° C to prevent food poisoning.
- Keep in mind that when it is said that cooked food can generally last up to 3-4 days, it means not harmful to health, it is not referring to quality. For example, once broccoli and asparagus are cooked they can become mushy even after only 24-48 hours. Stir-fried mushrooms can remain firm and tasty for up to 3 or 4 days, but if you cooked them together with vegetables, they could lose their optimal consistency in a short time.
Step 4. Cook the prized mushrooms the day you bought them
Many sought-after mushrooms, such as chanterelles or pleorotus, can only be kept for 12-14 hours. Since they are more expensive than classic champignons, use them now to get the best in taste and texture.
Some varieties of valuable mushrooms, such as morchella (or morel) and shitake, can also be kept for 1 or 2 weeks. However, even in this case it is advisable to eat them as soon as possible to prepare a high quality dish
Method 3 of 3: Store Mushrooms Safely
Step 1. Make sure the refrigerator temperature does not exceed 4 ° C
Mushrooms and other perishable foods should be stored at or below 4 ° C. You can store mushrooms on a shelf in the refrigerator, there is no need to put them in the vegetable drawer.
- Store the mushrooms in the refrigerator until you are ready to eat them to keep them fresh. Never keep them at room temperature.
- If you have the impression that food stored in the refrigerator lasts less than expected, buy a thermometer to check the temperature inside. If necessary, change the refrigerator settings.
Step 2. Store the packaged mushrooms in their original wrapping
If you only want to use a few, make a small hole in the corner of the package, take out the mushrooms you need, then seal the package with cling film.
The original packaging is designed to let the mushrooms breathe and prevent moisture from rotting them
Step 3. If the mushrooms were not packaged, store them in an ajar plastic bag
If you bought them individually, place them in a food bag and leave it slightly open to allow air to circulate. If you close the bag tightly, moisture will build up on the mushrooms and cause them to rot quickly.
Act with caution:
many people are convinced that to extend the life of mushrooms it is enough to store them in a paper bag or cover them with a damp sheet of kitchen paper, but there are better methods. If you keep them in a paper bag, they will become spongy and shriveled in a short time; if you wrap them in damp paper, they will rot more quickly.
Step 4. Keep mushrooms separate from raw meat, fish and eggs
From the trolley to the refrigerator, be careful to keep plant foods away from raw foods of animal origin. During preparation, use a cutting board and knife for raw meat and different tools for vegetable and ready-to-eat foods.
- It is important to keep mushrooms separate from meat and fish, especially if you intend to eat them raw.
- Also, keep in mind that mushrooms absorb odors, so try to keep them separate from foods with a strong aroma.
Advice
- Remember that it's always best to use fresh ingredients as soon as possible. Aim to consume the mushrooms within 3 to 4 days at the most.
- Mushrooms cannot be frozen raw, but you can steam them or fry them, let them cool until they reach room temperature, and then store them in the freezer for up to 8-12 months.
- Mushrooms are very versatile, so it's easy to find ways to use them if you find they're about to go bad. For example, you can use them to fill an omelette, stir-fry them with olive oil and your favorite herbs, or make a mushroom sauce for pasta. You can also slice them and spread them on the pizza before baking it in the oven.
