Whether you love them or dislike them, mushrooms are undeniably a prominent seasonal crop. However, many people are still unaware of the best ways to store them effectively.
To address this, Vlatka Lake, a storage expert from Space Station, has shared with Express.co.uk her top recommendations for keeping mushrooms fresh and flavourful for an extended period.
It is no secret that, given their delicate nature, mushrooms require careful handling, with attention to moisture, temperature, and packaging being crucial.
Surprisingly, storing them alongside a wooden spoon can help maintain the firm texture and delicate flavour of your mushrooms.
Wood naturally absorbs excess moisture, which helps prevent mushrooms from becoming mushy or slimy while maintaining the humidity they need.
The expert recommended: “In general, mushrooms thrive in cold and well-ventilated environments. This means if you want to keep them fresher for longer, it’s crucial you place them in the fridge.
“Avoid freezing fresh mushrooms, however, as once thawed, they can get soggy and lose flavour.”
Lake explained the need for balanced airflow, stating that insufficient ventilation can cause mushrooms to dry out and diminish their flavour, while excessive airflow may lead to spoilage.
She advised against using sealed plastic bags due to their inability to allow airflow, suggesting brown paper bags or containers with ventilation holes as better options.
The expert continued: “Once you’ve figured where and how you will contain them, there are a few more things to remember.
“Firstly, a common mistake people make is washing mushrooms prior to storing.
“Due to their absorbent nature, washing these vegetables will make them mushy and accelerate bacterial growth.”
Instead, she recommended rinsing them only when ready to eat, even if that means adding a couple of minutes to your meal-prepping routine.
She also suggested keeping mushrooms away from strong-smelling foods like onions or garlic, as they tend to absorb both moisture and odours.
