With mushrooms you can enrich a wide variety of dishes. Because they contain a lot of moisture, they can rot or dry out easily if you don't store them well. If you want to be sure they will keep fresh and delicious for a long time, you need to store them properly and be careful not to make mistakes that could compromise their longevity.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Storing Mushrooms Properly
Step 1. Put them in the refrigerator
Mushrooms are a highly perishable food and must be stored in particular conditions. To keep them fresh for as long as possible, you need to keep them at a temperature between 4 and 7 ° C. The refrigerator is usually the best place to store them to ensure they stay at the right temperature.
Alternatively, you can store them in a basement or cellar where the temperature is cool and constant. Check with a thermometer that it is really appropriate and place the mushrooms in a plastic container to preserve the moisture and prevent them from drying out
Step 2. Place the mushrooms in a paper bag and add a damp napkin
Many people have a habit of storing mushrooms in a paper bag to let them "breathe" while in the refrigerator. This way, however, they could shrivel and dry out. To avoid this, place a slightly wet paper towel over the mushrooms. Moisture will prevent the mushrooms from drying out.
Check the mushrooms every day or every other day and make sure the napkin is still damp, otherwise moisten it again
Step 3. Place the mushrooms in a ajar plastic bag
In the refrigerator, mushrooms tend to lose an excessive amount of moisture, so place them in a plastic bag to prevent them from drying out. Don't forget to leave it slightly open so that some of the moisture in the mushrooms can be eliminated by the cooling process that takes place in the refrigerator.
- A very simple solution is to use a zip-lock food bag and leave it slightly open.
- It is important to check that the plastic bag remains partially open. If it accidentally closes, the mushrooms could rot quickly.
Step 4. Leave the mushrooms in their original packaging
If they are still closed in their packaging, there is no need to move them elsewhere. Generally the casings used allow the mushrooms to "breathe" and at the same time protect them from dehydration caused by the refrigeration process.
Method 2 of 2: Avoid Common Mistakes
Step 1. Buy the mushrooms in bulk and choose the best ones available
If you want them to keep fresh for a long time, you need to make sure they are in top condition. It is better to buy the mushrooms in bulk and not packaged ones, to have the possibility to personally select only the best specimens.
This way you will only be able to buy the amount of mushrooms you need and you will not have to keep them in the refrigerator for long periods of time
Step 2. Do not buy pre-sliced packaged mushrooms
It is best to opt for whole ones as they usually last longer.
Sliced mushrooms are ready to use and save you time, but unlike whole mushrooms they cannot be stored for long
Step 3. Buy mushrooms directly from those who have harvested or grown them
If you want to be sure they are fresh, consider buying them directly from those who grew or harvested them in the woods. This way you won't risk them being old and about to go bad.
- If you turn to a person who has grown or harvested them personally, chances are you will have more choice. For example, many varieties of wild mushrooms are not available in supermarkets.
- Try visiting the farmers' markets in your city to buy mushrooms directly from the people who harvest or grow them. You can search the internet to find out if there is a company that grows mushrooms in the area where you live.
Step 4. Do not clean the mushrooms until you are ready to use them
Even if the mushrooms you bought or picked yourself are soiled with soil, do not clean them before placing them in the refrigerator, otherwise they will become further moist and spoil quickly.
When you are ready to use the mushrooms, rinse them very briefly and clean them with a paper towel or a soft-bristled kitchen brush. Never leave them soaking in water
Step 5. Make sure the mushrooms have a chance to "breathe", regardless of the variety
If you put them in an airtight container, they will definitely go bad. Make sure there is proper airflow so you can refrigerate them for up to a week.
