Fresh mushrooms should be stored in a paper bag to prevent moisture from building up. Mushrooms that are too wet will start to mold and rot. Place the bagged mushrooms in a spacious spot in the fridge. Avoid using the crisper drawer, which is not the best environment for fungi to flourish.
The trick to mushroom storage is that removing them from their container allows them to remain fresher for longer. They should be wrapped in paper towels and stored in the refrigerator in open plastic bags (paper bags are preferable).
What are Mushrooms?
The fungus kingdom, which is distinct from the kingdoms of animals and plants, includes mushrooms. Like plants reproduce, they renew on their own by germinating their spores. They digest the nutrients they exude rather than consuming food or light like plants and animals do to thrive. Cooks often employ mushrooms, particularly in Asian and European cuisines.
How to Store Mushrooms?
Mushrooms are very versatile in the kitchen due to their high water content, spongy texture, and mild flavor. Mushrooms have a high water content; therefore, storing them in the refrigerator for more than a few days may result in sliminess or even the growth of mildew and dark stains. Fortunately, there are several methods for maximizing the shelf life of mushrooms in your refrigerator.
Avoid Storing Mushrooms in the Crisper Drawer of your Fridge
Mushrooms are delicate and shouldn’t be stored in the crisper drawer of your fridge. They can absorb moisture and absorb odors. You don’t want to store mushrooms in the crisper drawer as this will make them soggy and moldy. Instead, store them on the main refrigerator shelf.
If you purchase your mushrooms from the store, you should store them in their original packaging. Otherwise, you can place them in a paper bag and store them in your fridge. The paper bag is a great choice because it absorbs moisture and allows air to circulate.
Mushrooms can get moldy and spoil faster if stored in a humid environment. It is best to avoid placing mushrooms in the crisper drawer if you’ve bought them already packaged in plastic. If you need to store them in the fridge, you can cut a slit in the plastic wrap to allow them to breathe. Avoid keeping your refrigerator door tightly closed, so they don’t dry out and absorb odors from the other foods in the fridge.
Avoid Storing Mushrooms Unwashed
While some people feel that washing mushrooms before cooking is necessary, it is not always necessary. Mushrooms contain a high water concentration and release some water during cooking. Although it is unnecessary, washing mushrooms will help prevent mold and slime buildup. It will also help preserve the texture and taste of the mushroom.
Mushrooms should be stored in breathable packaging and away from drafts. Avoid storing them in the crisper drawer, as the air inside will dry them out. Instead, store them on a shelf in the fridge. Mushrooms absorb flavors from the foods surrounding them. Keep them away from onions and fish since these can easily attract moisture. Also, mushrooms do not hold much weight, so they bruise easily, causing a squishy appearance. These mushrooms will not last as long as those that are not damaged.
Avoid Storing Mushrooms in Jars
While storing mushrooms, you should avoid storing them in glass jars. Glass jars can be prone to leaks and can also decrease the shelf life of the mushrooms. A better option is to use vacuum-sealed bags. These bags can be purchased online or in most home goods stores. These bags are perfect for storing mushrooms because they don’t allow any air to come in. They also prevent any odors and allow you to see your stash. However, if you plan to store a large amount, you may want to purchase several of these vacuum-sealed bags and then reseal each one.
Another alternative to storing mushrooms in jars is to use paper bags. This way, they can dry out without losing their freshness. However, you should avoid using plastic bags or coverings for storing mushrooms. Plastic can trap moisture and allow bacteria to grow, which can spoil the mushrooms.
Avoid Storing Mushrooms in Honey
Although mushrooms can be perishable, they can be preserved properly. For example, they should be stored in a dark, airtight container. Avoid soaking them in honey, which can turn them slimy. Mushrooms can last for weeks when properly prepared and stored.
It is best to bruise dried mushrooms before storing them in honey. The color of the mushrooms will change slightly, but it will not change their flavor. This is because moisture will spoil the flavor of honey. You can also use a coffee grinder to chop the mushrooms finely. This will reduce the size of the mushrooms to the tiniest bits.
When storing mushrooms in honey, remember that they contain high concentrations of essential minerals and vitamins. Iron and calcium are essential to maintaining a healthy body, and sodium is essential to muscle and nerve function. In addition to these nutrients, honey mushrooms contain high antioxidants, slowing the aging process of healthy body cells.
Avoid Storing Mushrooms in Plastic
While the plastic packaging that stores use to pack their mushrooms may be convenient, you should avoid using these when storing fresh mushrooms. Instead, placing your mushrooms in a brown paper bag would be best. This will prevent moisture from building up in the bag, which promotes mold growth. You should also wrap a paper towel around the mushrooms before storing them in the fridge.
Mushrooms can be a great addition to your favorite recipes, but they are highly perishable. Plastic containers can speed up the rate of spoilage, especially if they are completely closed. The best solution is to keep your mushrooms in a root cellar at the proper temperature. If you can’t find a root cellar, you can store your mushrooms in zip-lock bags, but keep the bag partially open. If you close the bag, the mushrooms will rot.
How to Tell if Mushrooms are Bad?
Observing, touching, and smelling mushrooms is the simplest way to determine their quality.
Mushrooms that are slimy, shriveled, discolored, or have a strong odor are starting to go bad and won’t last long.
For more information on what to look for and which mushrooms to avoid when choosing fresh mushrooms, see our article “How to Tell if Mushrooms are Bad: The Telltale Signs.”
How Long do Mushrooms Last?
Most mushrooms have a shelf life of one to three days at room temperature, but exact times depend on the species and how they were harvested and packaged. Choose fresh mushrooms, and store them at cooler temperatures to extend their shelf life.
How Long Do Mushrooms Last? is our article. There is more information on the shelf life of mushrooms in “Everything You Need To Know.” Can mushrooms be stored in the refrigerator? Yes, unless you intend to use them immediately, you should keep mushrooms in the refrigerator.
Mushrooms should be kept in the refrigerator as soon as possible after purchase, ideally between 34 and 39°F (1 and 4°C).
How to Store Morel Mushrooms?
Morel mushrooms should be unwashed in the fridge and wrapped in paper towels or a paper bag.
Avoid using plastic bags and sealed containers because morels require air to survive and won’t last very long.
Morels only keep in the fridge for 3 to 5 days, even when properly stored.
The most expensive and sought-after mushrooms worldwide are morels, also popular among mushroom hunters.
Because they are mycorrhizal, they are challenging to grow and are frequently only available for a brief period during the morel season.
Foragers frequently gather more food than they can consume in a few days. Morels should be consumed within four days of being harvested, so they will need to be preserved for later use.
Drying and freezing are the two most popular ways to preserve morel mushrooms for long-term storage.
How to Store Mushrooms Long Term?
Mushrooms should only be kept in the fridge if you intend to use them within 5–7 days.
Your mushrooms may keep in the fridge for up to 10 to 14 days if properly stored. But to get the most out of their distinct mushroom flavor and health advantages, we advise using them sooner.
It’s usually preferable to preserve mushrooms in other ways if you purchase too many or find a lot while foraging.
Although there are many other options, drying, freezing, and pickling are the most popular methods for preserving mushrooms.
More details and various suggestions for mushroom preservation can be found in our step-by-step guide.
Can you Freeze Mushrooms?
It is possible to freeze mushrooms, which can be stored in the freezer for up to a year.
Although you can freeze raw mushrooms, we don’t suggest it because they frequently become mushy when thawed and lose their texture.
Mushrooms freeze best when they are first sautéed, cooled, packed into airtight containers, and frozen.
Conclusion
Fresh mushrooms should be consumed as soon as possible after being harvested because they don’t last very long.
Whole, unwashed mushrooms can be kept in the refrigerator for up to ten days. You’ll need to use other preservation techniques if you want to keep mushrooms for longer than this.
Having an abundance of mushrooms shouldn’t ever be an issue because there are so many different ways to use them.
We have several resources available for you if you want mushroom recipe inspiration, such as simple oysters and wholesome vegan mushroom recipes.
