How to prepare dried mushrooms for storage?
Preparing dried mushrooms for storage
The most important criterion for allowing dried mushrooms to lie quietly for months is proper drying. That is why, before sending them for storage, you must carefully inspect each mushroom. To do this, you will need to pick it up and carefully walk over its cap with your fingertips. If during the examination you find a place that is clearly softer than the rest of the surface, then immediately put it aside.
This mushroom requires drying and therefore should never be sent for storage. If you do not do this, the moisture that remains in it will begin to evaporate and, as a result, this will lead to your winter preparation losing its wonderful taste and smell. You should also definitely look to see if there is any debris left on the mushrooms. If you notice grass or pine needles, even dried ones, then remove them immediately. And, of course, don’t forget to sort the dried mushrooms by size.
This little trick will help you arrange them more compactly, thereby reducing the amount of air in the containers in which they will be stored. If, when examining the mushrooms, you find them too dry, it is best to turn them into the so-called mushroom powder. If you don't do this, they will eventually break into small pieces, which you will have to throw away later. This flour is very easy to prepare. The mushrooms are placed in a coffee grinder and crushed as well as possible.
Gauze bags
For such storage to be effective, it is necessary to choose a place in the apartment where a constant flow of dry air flows. There should be no other odors in the room, otherwise the mushrooms will become saturated with them. Usually, a dry, ventilated room, a storage room or a glazed balcony is selected for this. The temperature in the room must be constant; sudden changes can have a negative effect on the product, this will lead to a reduction in shelf life, as condensation will accumulate. The bags can be sewn with your own hands from thick gauze, it is folded in several layers and cut out, the seams are stitched or joined by hand using a needle and strong thread.
How to buy a container for storing mushrooms on Aliexpress?
Container for storing mushrooms on Aliexpress
If you plan to store dry mushrooms in food containers, then buy them on Aliexpress. On this online resource you will find products of completely different shapes: square, rectangular, and, of course, round. This variety will allow you to choose the ideal container that will not take up much space in your kitchen. But still, when buying a storage container, you need to pay attention not only to its shape and size.
Since you will store a food product in it, you must definitely check with the seller what material his product is made of. Remember, the correct container must be made of food-grade polypropylene and bear the PP mark. If the product you like has some other marking, then refuse the purchase. Well, now let's talk about which container is best to buy on Aliexpress.
If you have a pantry where the same temperature is maintained all year round, then you can quite easily order an ordinary plastic container with a tight-fitting lid. If you store your dried mushrooms in the kitchen, then it will be better if you invest in a product whose lid has a pump that can automatically pump out air from the container. And although such a container will cost you a little more, you will be sure that your supplies are not afraid of moisture and temperature changes.
How to store dried porcini mushrooms, honey mushrooms, and chanterelles correctly and for how long?
Storing dried porcini mushrooms
Quite a large number of housewives do not store dry mushrooms quite correctly. They put the finished product in a plastic container or jar and simply place it in a less busy kitchen cabinet. As a rule, such a careless attitude towards mushrooms leads to the fact that literally within a month they begin to deteriorate from excess moisture.
In view of this, if you do not have a pantry and you have no choice but to place mushrooms in the kitchen, then store them as far as possible from the sink and always in plastic containers with a vacuum lid or, at worst, in glass jars. In this case, canvas bags and cardboard boxes are not suitable as they absorb moisture very well.
As for how long dry porcini mushrooms, honey mushrooms and chanterelles can be stored, everything will depend on the conditions in which they will be located. If you provide them with a stable temperature and not very high humidity (no more than 40%), you can use them for preparing delicious dishes for 2.5-3 years. If you store drying food in the kitchen, you can eat it without danger to your health for no more than a year and a half. After this, the mushrooms will inevitably begin to deteriorate, losing their excellent taste and smell.
Adviсe
You can store the workpiece not only in a private house in the attic, but also in an apartment. The main thing is to follow the rules, maintain a certain temperature regime, and not allow the humidity in the room to increase too much, otherwise the mushrooms may spoil. In order for dried mushrooms to remain tasty, retain their characteristic aroma and be edible for the entire prescribed period, you need to follow some recommendations:
- once every 3-6 weeks you need to look through stocks, removing damaged dryers;
- there must be a flow of fresh air in the room where mushrooms are kept;
- before use, you can soak it in milk or water to reveal the taste;
- the liquid in which it was soaked can be used in various dishes;
- if there are moths, the supplies are washed and dried at +60...+70˚ C in the oven;
- Each container with mushroom stock must have a label with the date of packaging.
Dry mushroom preparation preserves the taste, aroma, and nutritional properties of the fresh product. But so that it does not spoil - it is not damaged by moths, other pests, drying does not become moldy or rotten, you need to follow not only the storage rules, but also the harvesting method. A correctly prepared, well-packaged product can last for a year or more, the main thing is not to leave it in a damp place, and also regularly check the quality.
Boletus and brown boletus: rules and shelf life
Storing dried mushrooms
Boletus and boletus mushrooms, unlike the above-mentioned species, have one characteristic feature: they absorb foreign odors very well. In view of this, if you store them in unsealed packaging, which will stand very close to spices or onions and garlic, then after two weeks your preparations will have the smell of these products. For this reason, it will be better if you find a place for them as far away from kitchen cabinets and surfaces with these aromatic goodies as possible.
In addition, boletus and boletus mushrooms should not be stored in close proximity to apples, cabbage (including sauerkraut) and all root vegetables. Since they evaporate moisture all the time, this will also have a rather negative impact on the quality of dried mushrooms. If you take into account all these nuances, you will be able to enjoy boletus and boletus mushrooms for at least 12 months. As practice shows, after this time, even with proper storage, they lose their taste and beneficial qualities.
Preparation for storage
In order for wild mushrooms to retain their quality and be suitable all winter, attention is paid to the correctness of their preparation first of all. When they are not completely dried inside, such a workpiece can rot or be damaged by mold. You also need to choose the right raw materials for the preparation. Not every species is good when dried. The best mushrooms to dry for the winter are:
- boletus;
- White mushroom;
- boletus;
- Champignon;
- boletus;
- chanterelles;
- honey mushrooms
Attention! After drying, the product loses a lot of weight and size, so choosing a place for storage is not difficult. But, it does not affect the substances contained, so their concentration remains the same, this is also true for harmful compounds. Therefore, it is not advisable to eat dishes with dried mushrooms more than 2 times a week and include such food in the diet of children under 7 years of age.
How to properly store dried mushrooms at home in glass jars?
Storing dried mushrooms in a jar
If you plan to store dried mushrooms in glass jars, then give preference to those that are closed with vacuum lids. But remember, in order for your mushrooms to last safely for at least six months, the jar intended for storage must be properly prepared. First, you will need to wash and rinse it thoroughly. Next, turn the container upside down and let the excess liquid drain.
While this is happening, place a pot of water on the fire and bring it to a boil. As soon as this happens, take the jar in your hands (use a towel or special protective gloves for this) and hold it over the steam for several minutes. As soon as you see that the entire inner surface of the container is covered with droplets of moisture, set it aside and let it dry completely.
After you make sure that the inside of the jar is completely dry, you can start adding dry mushrooms. Place them in small portions, evenly distributing them into layers. When the jar is filled, take the vacuum lid and lubricate its inside with medical alcohol, set it on fire and, without waiting for the fire to go out, quickly screw it on. This trick will help you rid the container of residual oxygen, thereby protecting dried mushrooms from possible contamination by microorganisms.
How to properly store dried mushrooms at home in plastic containers?
Storing dried mushrooms in containers
A plastic container, just like glass containers, must be carefully prepared for future storage of mushrooms. Be sure to carry out this procedure, especially if you bought a new container in a store or market. You cannot know where it stood and how clean the hands of the seller took it. Therefore, even if it seems to you that it is perfectly clean, still spend half an hour of your time and wash it as thoroughly as possible.
After it is washed, you can proceed as follows. If you bought a container that absolutely cannot be heated, then simply thoroughly wipe its entire surface (including the lid) with medical alcohol. If you bought a container that can be put in the microwave, then you can hold it over the steam. After this, you will need to wait for the container to dry and calmly transfer the pre-dried mushrooms into it.
Yes, and remember that the container with mushrooms should be kept in a place where there is no direct sunlight. If you place it in such a way that the sun shines on it all the time, then after some time your workpieces will inevitably darken.
Effective drying methods
Drying is performed using different methods:
In electric dryers. The plates are cut into 0.5 mm. Dry for 5 to 7 hours at 60 - 80 degrees.
On the site or in the attics. Mushrooms are laid out on tables in sunny, airy places. Dry from 2 to 7 days.
In microwaves. They can dry in 2 hours, in three steps. Placed on glass dishes covered with cloth. Dry in 20 - 25 minutes at full power. 10 minute break, door open. Then another 2 minutes at minimum power. The rest of the time they dry in the room.
In the oven. The mushrooms are prepared, then the largest ones are chopped. The baking sheet is covered with parchment and they are laid out. First, preheat the oven to 45 degrees. After 2 - 3 hours, set to 70 degrees. The oven door should be slightly open. Drying usually takes from 1.5 to 2 days. Periodically stir the mushrooms and allow to cool.
Important! Long-term storage can only be achieved with flexible mushrooms. Therefore, they are checked for readiness by breaking them after drying and cooling. If they are ready, they can be broken with a loud crunch.
How to properly store dried mushrooms in the freezer?
Storing dried mushrooms in the freezer
The principle of storing dried mushrooms in the freezer is practically no different from the methods that we introduced you to a little higher. To begin with, you will also need to prepare the container in which they will be placed, and then simply put them in the refrigerator. In this case, you can store the preparations for the winter either in plastic containers (not vacuum ones) or in plastic bags with a special lock.
If you give preference to the latter version of the container, then do not spare money and buy the one that is more expensive. As practice shows, such bags are made of denser material that does not tear at the slightest tension. Yes, and remember, mushrooms cannot be put into such bags. In order for them to be compactly folded in the freezer, it is best to lay them out in layers (there should not be more than 2 layers in one bag).
Another nuance that you should always remember when storing mushrooms in the freezer is that, like any other food product, they do not like to be defrosted again. Therefore, it will be better if you immediately store them in small portions that you can use at a time.
Freezer storage
To place it in the freezer or refrigerator, you need to choose the right container. Any sealed containers are suitable for this purpose: containers or vacuum bags (Figure 5).
Figure 5. Preparation in the freezer
Products can only be stored on shelves with a stable temperature. In addition, it is better to immediately package the product into portions, since when opening a container or bag, moisture may get inside, which will spoil the remaining raw materials.
It is important that the shelf life in the freezer is no more than a year, unlike glass jars, in which the product can remain edible for up to three years.
How to properly store dried mushrooms in bags at home?
Storing dried mushrooms in bags
If you plan to store dried mushrooms in bags, then give preference to those made from natural fabrics, such as linen or cotton. If for some reason you do not have the opportunity to get such bags, then you can try making them from gauze, first folding it into 4-5 layers. If you plan to store mushrooms in them for literally a month or two, you can wash them with laundry soap and simply iron them on both sides.
Well, those housewives who want their winter preparation to retain its taste for at least a year should carry out more thorough preparation of the bag. First, you will need to dilute 15 tbsp in 2 liters of water. l salt and put everything on fire. When the saline solution boils, you will need to put pre-washed bags into it and boil them for literally 3-5 minutes. After this, they will need to be removed from the saline solution and hung to dry without squeezing.
If you do everything correctly, you will see a thin salt crust on the surface of the dried bags, which will protect your preparations from insects and pungent odors. Once the bag is dry, fill it with mushrooms, tie it as tightly as possible, and hang it on the warmest wall in your pantry.
How to properly store dried mushrooms in the attic at home?
Storing dried mushrooms in the attic
The attic, if it is clean, of course, is also a suitable place for storing dried mushrooms. Remember, if you want them to wait in the wings in this very place, then you must first make sure that there are no drafts in the attic and no dampness gets in there. This means that you must seal all existing cracks as carefully as possible and, if your financial situation allows, additionally insulate the attic space.
After this, you will need to sanitize all wooden structures with any means that kills all kinds of insects. As for what to store mushrooms in the attic, in this case it is best to give preference to glass jars and plastic containers. If you have dried a lot of mushrooms, then put them in a bag and put it in a large wooden chest.
But remember, no matter what container you choose for storing mushrooms in the attic, in any case you need to prepare it as we taught you a little higher. If you don’t do this, then with a high probability we can say that your winter preparation will not last very long.
Using mushroom preparation
Regardless of which method of drying and storing mushrooms was chosen, the product must be properly prepared to prepare the dish. The taste and aroma of food will depend on this. Therefore, it is necessary to take into account the following nuances:
Dried mushrooms are washed before use;- Next, the raw materials are soaked in cold water overnight. If time is short, two hours is enough for soaking. Some housewives use salted milk instead of water;
- The infusion can be used to make soup. The exception is water from honey mushrooms and chanterelles; it is better to pour it out, as it will be very bitter;
- It is recommended to boil the soaked product, in which case it will be softer. It is enough to boil the mushrooms for 50 minutes. It will take more time to cook boletus mushrooms - about two hours;
- Before preparing the dish, you must take into account that the aroma and taste of dried mushrooms is five times more concentrated than that of fresh ones. And dairy products enhance their taste even more;
- Add spices carefully. Bay leaves, garlic and various types of peppers are most suitable.
Dried mushrooms preserved according to all the rules will allow you to enjoy a fragrant piece of summer throughout the year. Regardless of the type of mushrooms and the method of drying them, it is necessary to sort through stocks from time to time. This will protect them from mold and pests.
How to properly store dried mushrooms on a rope or thread at home?
Storing dried mushrooms on a string
Another common method of storing dried mushrooms is an ordinary thread. In this case, you will have to make a kind of necklace from the collected mushrooms and dry them in this form. Of course, if you wish, you can try to string them on a thread after they have lost all the moisture, but be prepared for the fact that during this process some of your workpieces will break.
After the mushrooms are completely dry, they will need to be hung from the ceiling in the pantry or simply on a non-wooden rack. It is not advisable to put such dried mushrooms in cabinets or cardboard boxes, as this will interfere with their proper storage. Yes, and when stringing mushrooms on a thread before drying, remember that subsequently they will greatly decrease in size.
Therefore, if in the end you do not want to get a half-empty thread, then at the initial stage place the mushrooms on it very tightly. After they dry, be sure to wrap the finished necklaces with a plain cloth that has been previously boiled in a saline solution.
Ropes
If the mushrooms are dried on a rope, then they can be left in this form, that is, not removed, but it is important to ensure that the product does not dry out, as it will collapse and fall off. Choose a dry, ventilated place, without foreign odors, and wrap the twine in a thin cloth. This method is more convenient; when preparing, you can simply break off the required amount of product without untying the rope.
Housewives' tips for storing dried mushrooms at home
Tips for storing dried mushrooms
As you probably already understood, in order for mushrooms to be stored for as long as possible, they must be kept in almost sterile conditions. Another important factor for the safety of such a workpiece is stable temperature and humidity. If the temperature in the room in which the dried mushrooms are kept fluctuates constantly, this will affect the humidity and, as a result, your dryer will begin to become moldy and you will simply have to throw it away.
And, of course, always make sure that fresh air gets into the room. If your preparations are kept in a room with tightly sealed windows and doors all the time, this will also affect their appearance and their taste. Therefore, it will be better if you try to ventilate the room in which the dryer is stored every day.
Yes, and don’t forget to inspect your preparations every 2-3 weeks. If you do this regularly, you will not miss the moment when some mushrooms begin to mold or absorb moisture. As long as there are only a few of them, you can quickly remove them without letting them ruin the rest of the drying process.
What mushrooms are best dried?
Not all varieties are suitable for drying. The best option is considered to be tubular mushrooms - such as boletus, boletus, boletus, boletus, and moss mushrooms. They have a long shelf life and excellent taste.
Plate varieties are also suitable for drying, but may be slightly bitter. Preliminary soaking for a long time will help to avoid this. This category includes honey mushrooms, chanterelles, champignons, and oyster mushrooms. But still, to fully reveal the taste, it is better to pickle or preserve these varieties.
IMPORTANT. Mushrooms that produce bitter milky juice, for example, milk mushrooms, trumpet mushrooms, and russula, are absolutely unsuitable for drying.
