Mushroom picking is a great pastime loved by many people during the autumn time. Dried mushrooms can be used as a great addition to many dishes. Read our article and find out how to store dried mushrooms, including proven methods and the best conditions for storing mushrooms.
Mushroom picking is a great pastime loved by many people during the autumn time. Dried mushrooms can be used as a great addition to many dishes. Read our article and find out how to store dried mushrooms, including proven methods and the best conditions for storing mushrooms.
- How to dry forest mushrooms so that you can use them later on?
- Drying mushrooms in the oven
- Useful equipment for drying mushrooms
- How long can dried mushrooms be stored?
- How to best store dried mushrooms – methods
- What is the best way to store dried mushrooms to keep them fresh?
- How to store dried mushrooms – summary
How to dry forest mushrooms so that you can use them later on?
Food storage requires the use of methods that not only help preserve the taste, but also avoid health risks. This also applies to storing mushrooms.
After cleaning the mushrooms, cut them into slices or chunks. Make sure to check that they are not full of worms. Once you have completed these steps, you can start the process of drying them. There are several ways to do so:
- on some thread,
- in the sun,
- in the oven,
- in the dryer.
Thread drying is the oldest method, and has been known to mushroom pickers for generations. It is enough to thread the mushrooms and place them in a dry and warm place (by the fireplace, over the stove or on the radiator) and wait a few days. The second method, which does not require the use of additional equipment, is drying the mushrooms in the sun. It only works during sunny and dry weather, lasting at least several days. Mushrooms pieces are placed on a permeable fabric and covered with cloth to protect them from getting dirty.
Drying mushrooms in the oven
You can also dry mushrooms in the oven. This process takes up to several hours. In a preheated oven with hot air circulation, at a temperature of approx. 50°C, place the mushrooms next to each other on an oven grid lined with baking paper. Leave the oven door slightly ajar, allowing moisture to escape.
Useful equipment for drying mushrooms
Food dryers are devices specially designed for drying mushrooms, herbs, fruits and more. They let you set the temperature and drying time precisely. Cut slices or chunks are placed on special openwork trays. The process is fully automated, but it is also the most expensive method, because good dryers usually cost from several dozen to a few hundred pounds. Spend some time on choosing the right mushroom dryer for your needs.
How long can dried mushrooms be stored?
Now that you know how to dry mushrooms, it’s time to think about how to store them and for how long. If you already have ready-prepared pieces (slightly crispy, but not completely brittle), you can start storing them. Theoretically, dried mushrooms should last up to three years in the right conditions. In practice, it is usually shorter. After the autumn season, dried mushrooms are often served as an addition to many traditional recipes. If you decide to store them for a long time, you should check from time to time that the mushrooms are not mouldy or infested with food moths. Should this be the case, you must throw them away immediately. Read on and find out more about the proper preservation of dry food, in this case mushrooms.
How to best store dried mushrooms – methods
In order to enjoy the taste and aroma of dried mushrooms in soups, sauces or as an addition to other dishes, they should be carefully stored. The most popular method is to seal them in airtight glass jars. Always check whether the jars are completely dry before placing any types of mushrooms in them. If not, properly dry them so that the mushrooms do not become mouldy later on. Once filled, close the jars tightly, and then set them aside in a dry and dark place. This method has several advantages:
- glass does not react with food,
- storage in firmly closed jars protects against mould and food moths, and protects the contents from losing their taste or smell,
- you can see what’s inside.
Stainless steel tins are a similar solution. They are leak-proof (they often have seals) and are made of a material that is safe in contact with food. If you are wondering how to store dried mushrooms, firmly closed jars will be ideal.
Room temperature in your pantry
The best temperature range is 18-22°C, which is standard room temperature. Jars with mushrooms should be placed in dark spaces, and definitely shouldn’t be exposed to sunlight, otherwise they will lose their flavour and aroma. A pantry is also a good solution for storing mushrooms and other preserves – the optimum temperature in this case should be 12-14°C. However, do not choose a cellar for storing dried mushrooms. Such places are usually very humid.
Freezing
If you do not have the appropriate conditions to store mushrooms in jars (e.g. if you have a very sunny apartment) or if you do not know how to store vegetables, freezing will be a great solution. Almost all wild mushrooms are suitable for freezing when raw. After cleaning and cutting them, they should be pre-boiled. After draining the water and leaving them to cool down, you should portion the mushrooms. Small containers or vacuum bags will be ideal. Place the portions in a freezer with a temperature of at least -18°C. Mushroom fans can store them with this method even until the next season.
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Chest Freezer – 459 L – Royal Catering
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Blast Chiller – 29.5 L – Royal Catering – Freeze Capacity: 4/209 kg/min
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Chest Freezer – 148 L – Royal Catering – 51 W
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Commercial Chest Freezer – 355 L
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What is the best way to store dried mushrooms to keep them fresh?
Drying and freezing are both effective and popular methods of food preservation. After properly preparing the ingredients, you can be sure that they will retain all their nutritional value and be safe for your health. In the case of mushrooms, just like other food products, mould can be very harmful. In order to avoid this risk, you should first dry the mushrooms carefully, getting rid of even the slightest dampness. Then put them in tightly closed containers. If you are not experienced in drying mushrooms, a mushroom dryer will come in handy. In our next article we take a look at which mushroom dryer is best.
In addition to mould, food moths are also a threat. An old method used by mushroom pickers is to put a bay leaf or a few cloves into the jars.
How to store dried mushrooms – summary
Hopefully after reading this article you now know how to store dried mushrooms. The process is not complicated, but requires attention and time. Mushrooms can be stored for many months, but only under the right conditions. You need to do so immediately after picking. First put aside the mushrooms with worms, then clean the rest and cut them into slices. Mushrooms can be dried in several ways, and once dried, you should keep them in airtight containers. After pre-boiling, they are also suitable for freezing. Properly stored mushrooms will reward you with their delicious taste and aroma.
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