Storing Mushrooms

[Cindy]

I love mushrooms, but there is conflicting information on how to store the.

I buy mine in a brown paper bag, usually I keep them like that in the fridge, but they never seem to last a week.

I'm going to try room temp.

Anyone have practical advice?

[Ms Grace]

I don't think they're likely to last more than a week regardless of how you store them. Plastic bag, paper bag, no bag... they either get wet and slimy or dry and wrinkly has been my experience. Eat 'em fresh!

[kelly_aus]

In the paper bag, with the top folded over on the bottom shelf of the fridge - don't put them in the veg crisper, it's too moist an environment.

Mushrooms should keep for longer than a week, but it depends on how long they've been in cold storage at the supermarket.

[Jill F]

Keep them cool, dark and dry.  A week is doing pretty well.  You don't want them getting limp or slimy.  I used to work in Italian kitchens in college and have seen the best and worst case scenarios.

Pro tip: all mushrooms are edible, some only once.

[Cindy]

Keep them cool, dark and dry.  A week is doing pretty well.  You don't want them getting limp or slimy.  I used to work in Italian kitchens in college and have seen the best and worst case scenarios.

Pro tip: all mushrooms are edible, some only once.

I'll pay you for that!

But they grow at RT and are sold at RT so why not store them at RT?

[Jill F]

Mushrooms continue to grow after picking and refrigeration slows the rate of metabolism.

[Cindy]

I see everyone googled the same info

[Jill F]

Plus the mushrooms that accidentally got left out of the fridge overnight never held up well.

Hmmm... Maybe a pizza snack before bed?

[Flan]

Dehydrate and put in vacuum sealed container.

[Cindy]

That's true! The ones left out that is.

[Jill F]

Dehydrate and put in vacuum sealed container.

Then they'll last until the next Phish concert?

[Cindy]

Bit hi-tech Flan!

Then again I get dehydrated from drinking a whisky, so maybe soak then in spirits?

[kelly_aus]

I see everyone googled the same info

Nope, just what I learnt at TAFE.. Things you learn as a chef..

[Jill F]

Bit hi-tech Flan!

Then again I get dehydrated from drinking a whisky, so maybe soak then in spirits?

I recommend a cream sauce with brandy or cognac with veal and an aged champagne.

Anyone here have some loose morels?

[Cindy]

My morels are black and foreign to most!

[Cindy]

Dry sherry, full cream and a little stock. Reduce and serve with the veal.

[Ms Grace]

Just what kind of mushrooms are we talkin' about here anyway...?? 

[Cindy]

Of course

[Ms Grace]

They look like mushrooms that took magic mushrooms!!

[alexis.j]

If you really want to save them longer, slice them up and freeze them, its perfectly  acceptable for cooked meals and soups. I have been doing it for years now. That comming from picking my own mushrooms and sitting with 6months to a years supply at a time... The "elite" mushrooms  are better stored died out and in paper bags. Left overs can be ground into powder.
Porcini and saffron milk caps are my choice to pick.