Escalating grocery bills become even more frustrating when produce simply won’t keep. As countless shoppers will have discovered, mushrooms rank amongst the worst culprits for fruit and vegetables, with dreadful shelf life in the refrigerator.
Regardless of the type—and there are over 2,000 edible varieties—these umami-packed vegetables have a tendency to turn brown and slimy seemingly within hours. However, a food waste specialist has shared the guaranteed storage trick that could eliminate this problem forever, insisting it’s “a must” for anyone purchasing mushrooms from supermarkets. Due to their substantial water content, mushrooms require refrigeration. Yet it’s precisely this characteristic that makes keeping them fresh such a challenge.
Speaking to Express.co.uk, Too Good To Go’s UK Country Director, Sophie Trueman, revealed: “If you always find mushrooms rusting and spinach leaves mushy, this anti-waste tip is a must!”.
“With a kitchen towel or a paper bag, you will be able to absorb the moisture of these ingredients and promote the airflow of your spinach and mushrooms.”
Sophie explained that robust containers—typically the best choice for maintaining food freshness—should be abandoned, along with the original packaging most mushrooms arrive in.
Instead, locate a fresh paper bag. Sophie observed: “Mushrooms have a high water content, so storing them with a kitchen towel or in a paper bag helps to absorb any excess moisture and keep them from browning too quickly.”
Nevertheless, this technique works best with whole mushrooms only.
Rather than washing them, simply remove them from their supermarket packaging and dab them dry with a clean tea towel.
Fill a paper bag with several sheets of kitchen roll, then gently place the mushroom inside.
Put the bag in the fridge somewhere so it won’t get crushed by other items.
The Too Good To Go director revealed: “Most whole mushrooms will last in the fridge for four to seven days, and by storing this way, you may help them to last that full seven days.
“Sliced mushrooms, on the other hand, usually last about one to two days in the fridge, so storing your mushrooms whole is a great way to ensure they last that bit longer.”
For mushrooms that have gone beyond their prime, dice them very finely and incorporate them into a delicious, creamy risotto.
As an alternative, toss them into a stir fry or create a mushroom tart.