Mushrooms are valued for their diverse flavours, textures, and versatility in cooking. They are also a good source of nutrients, including B vitamins and vitamin D, and support heart health.
As a staple ingredient in the kitchen, many Brits normally stock up on mushrooms – but if not stored correctly, they may spoil quickly, turn slimy or soft. Although no mushroom lasts forever, you can still make the ones you purchase last longer, or just enough for you to consume them when they are still in their prime.
According to Lifeofplastic, placing mushrooms in a paper bag helps preserve their freshness and keeps them firm and full of flavour.
The website reads: “Mushrooms contain a lot of water and need to be able to breathe so that they do not get slimy and mushy”.
If you don’t have a paper bag at home, there is no need to go out of your way to purchase one. Instead, you can wrap a paper towel loosely around the mushrooms inside a ziplock plastic bag.
Just make sure not to seal the bag completely so that air can circulate, the website warns. You’ll also want to place this bag in the main compartment of your fridge.
These two solutions work because the paper absorbs moisture and provides a good balance of air circulation, which helps ensure your mushrooms stay fresher for longer.
Those who like to buy in bulk, can also opt for freezing mushrooms. This solution preserves their nutrients and flavour, but only if the fungi are cooked before being stored.
The best way to freeze mushrooms is after they have been steam-blanched or sauteed – and it is best to then use them in a dish by cooking them from frozen.
Freezing them raw, on the other hand, will have an impact on their nutritional value.