How to Select and Store Mushrooms
In addition to champignons, which are available year-round, supermarkets offer chanterelles, porcini mushrooms, and oyster mushrooms during autumn. Farmers' markets and specialty mushroom markets provide an even wider selection of mushrooms.
Mushrooms are delicate and spoil quickly. This SSP article provides guidance on selecting, storing, and preparing mushrooms effectively.
How to Spot Fresh Mushrooms
Always carefully inspect mushrooms before buying. Supermarket mushrooms are often imported and may have traveled a long distance. Additionally, improper storage in stores can accelerate decay.
Spoiled mushrooms can cause stomach upset or nausea. Purchase only fresh mushrooms. Avoid pre-packaged containers; instead, buy loose mushrooms to assess their quality easily. Inspect them from all sides and take note of their aroma.
Fresh mushrooms should have firm, plump flesh and should not appear slimy, blotchy, or dried out. A mushroom’s smell is also a good freshness indicator. If it has an unpleasant musty odor, avoid it. Generally, smaller mushrooms of the same type tend to taste better.
Fresh champignons will have a closed or half-open cap, and their lamellae should be light to medium brown. Their cap and stalk should feel dry and firm.
Fresh chanterelles are recognized by their white-yellow color, darkening as they mature. Spoiled chanterelles will appear brown and soft.
How to Store Mushrooms
Fresh mushrooms should be used quickly after purchase. Storing them properly is crucial. Avoid plastic bags, as moisture accumulates inside them, causing mushrooms to rot faster. Instead, place them in a paper bag and store in the vegetable drawer of your fridge. If mushrooms are kept in a cool, dark, and airy place, they can last up to three days.
How to Clean Mushrooms
Most supermarket mushrooms require minimal cleaning. For champignons, gently rubbing them with a kitchen towel is usually sufficient.
There is debate about washing mushrooms. Some believe this causes mushrooms to absorb water, losing flavor. However, expert tests have shown that briefly rinsing mushrooms under running water does not affect their taste. You can also place them in a colander and swirl them in a sink filled with water, but ensure they do not remain submerged for long and that they are dried thoroughly afterward.
Washing does not diminish flavor, but it may make mushrooms slippery. If you prefer avoiding this, use a soft-bristled mushroom or kitchen brush to remove dirt. Be gentle to prevent damaging the mushrooms.
After cleaning, slice away any muddy or dry parts, like the stem's end, using a sharp knife. Cut the mushrooms into your preferred size.
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