Emma Wilson
Dried mushrooms are a popular food product with a long shelf life. However, one of the challenges in drying mushrooms is preventing them from bruising. Mushroom bruising refers to the discolouration that occurs when the mushroom tissue is damaged or stressed. This can happen due to handling, environmental factors, or physical impact. While bruising is mainly a cosmetic issue, it can also be a sign of oxidation, which decreases the concentration of tryptamines in psychedelic mushrooms. Therefore, understanding how to prevent bruising is essential for preserving the quality and potency of dried mushrooms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Discoloration that occurs when the mushroom tissue is damaged or stressed |
| Cause | A chemical reaction triggered by damage or stress, similar to how an apple turns brown when cut |
| Colour | Typically blue, green, or brown |
| Texture | May feel softer or more fragile than the surrounding tissue |
| Identification | Bruising can be used as a supplementary tool to identify mushrooms, but should not be the sole identification technique |
| Safety | Bruising alone is not a reliable method for determining the safety of a mushroom |
| Prevention | Proper handling and storage, such as drying the mushrooms and storing them in a cool, dark, and dry place, can help minimize oxidation and bruising |
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What You'll Learn
- Dried mushrooms should be stored in a cool, dark, dry place
- Blue bruising indicates oxidation and a decrease in concentration of tryptamines
- The myth that blue-bruising mushrooms are safe to eat is not true
- The saffron milk cap mushroom bruises green and bleeds orange
- Bruising is a cosmetic issue and has little effect on the cultivation process
Dried mushrooms should be stored in a cool, dark, dry place
Dried mushrooms that have already turned blue can be stored long-term by making blue honey, a mixture of bruised blue mushrooms and honey. This method acts as a preservative and offers a palatable way to experience the effects of psilocybin. However, note that making blue honey with fresh mushrooms may not result in the same blue colour.
To dry mushrooms correctly, you can choose from four main methods: air drying, fan drying, oven drying, or using a dehydrator. Regardless of the method, it is crucial to ensure that the mushrooms are completely dry. They should snap and crumble easily with light pressure.
Proper handling and storage are essential for preserving the potency of dried mushrooms. By storing them in a cool, dark, and dry place, you can minimise oxidation and maintain their freshness and potency over time.
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Blue bruising indicates oxidation and a decrease in concentration of tryptamines
Blue bruising in mushrooms is a result of oxidation. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that occurs when certain compounds in the cell walls of mushrooms are exposed to air. This process is similar to how an apple turns brown when cut. When the cell walls of the mushrooms are broken, enzymes within them interact with the compounds, leading to a colour change.
In the case of blue-bruising mushrooms, the compound involved is psilocybin, which is a psychotropic compound found in mushrooms like Psilocybe cubensis, also known as magic mushrooms. When the cell walls of these mushrooms are damaged, the psilocybin is converted to psilocin, which then oxidises and forms a blue pigment. This blue pigment is similar to indigo, the dye used to produce blue jeans.
The oxidation process results in a decrease in the concentration of tryptamines, which are psychoactive compounds present in these mushrooms. Tryptamines are responsible for the psychedelic effects of these mushrooms. Therefore, blue bruising indicates a loss of potency in terms of the psychedelic experience sought by users.
To preserve the potency of magic mushrooms, proper handling and storage are crucial. Drying the mushrooms correctly and storing them in a cool, dark, and dry place can help minimise oxidation and maintain their psychedelic potential. However, it is important to note that solely identifying mushrooms through bruising is not a reliable method, and other identification measures should always be used in combination.
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The myth that blue-bruising mushrooms are safe to eat is not true
When identifying mushrooms, it is important to note both the initial liquid colour and the final dried colour, as these two colours can be different. For example, the Lactarius deliciosus bruises green and bleeds orange. Moreover, the texture of the bruised area may feel softer or more fragile than the surrounding tissue.
Bruising in mushrooms refers to the discolouration that occurs when the mushroom tissue is damaged or stressed. This can be caused by handling, environmental factors, or physical impact. The blue colour in mushrooms is a result of a chemical reaction, similar to how an apple turns brown when cut. In Boletales mushrooms, the blue colour comes from oxidised gyrocyanin or pulvinic acid. However, in Psilocybe mushrooms, the blue colour is due to the oxidation of psilocybin, a psychoactive compound.
It is important to prioritise safety when foraging for mushrooms and to avoid those with potentially dangerous characteristics, such as blue bruising and red pore surfaces in boletes. While the blue bruises in mushrooms may be harmless, they indicate oxidation and a decrease in the concentration of tryptamines, which is crucial information for users seeking a psychedelic experience. Therefore, proper handling and storage are essential to preserving the potency of mushrooms.
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The saffron milk cap mushroom bruises green and bleeds orange
The saffron milk cap mushroom (Lactarius deliciosus) is a popular variety of fungus that has been consumed for hundreds of years. It is commonly found in China, Japan, Western Europe, and Eastern Europe. This mushroom is easily identifiable due to its unique colour-changing properties. While it is edible, it must be thoroughly cooked before consumption and only young mushrooms should be used.
The saffron milk cap mushroom is often found in open grassy areas in coniferous and deciduous forests, particularly among conifer trees such as pines and cedars. Its seasonality is typically from late summer to fall. When foraging for this mushroom, caution is advised as it may be confused with poisonous varieties such as the Red-Hot Milky Cap (Lactarius rufus), which has a brick-red colour, or the Wooly Lactarius, which has a white to pale cap with a darker centre.
It is important to accurately identify mushrooms before consumption to ensure safety. While bruising and bleeding colours can provide valuable insights into the species and edibility of mushrooms, these methods should be used in conjunction with other identification techniques. The saffron milk cap mushroom's distinctive colour changes can aid in its identification, but it is crucial to follow proper foraging guidelines and only consume mushrooms that have been accurately identified as safe.
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Bruising is a cosmetic issue and has little effect on the cultivation process
Mushroom bruising is a cosmetic issue and has little to no effect on the cultivation process. It is simply the discolouration that occurs when the mushroom tissue is damaged or stressed. This can happen through handling, environmental factors, or physical impact. For instance, even slight pressure can lead to visible discolouration. Mushrooms can also be bruised by environmental stress, such as rapid changes in temperature, humidity, or air circulation.
Bruising typically appears as a blue, green, or brown discolouration on the surface of the mushroom or mycelium. The most common sign of bruising is a change in colour on the mushroom cap, stem, or mycelium. This can range from blue or green to brown, depending on the mushroom species and the severity of the damage. In some cases, the bruised area may feel softer or more fragile than the surrounding tissue.
It is important to distinguish between bruising and contamination. Bruising usually appears in areas that have been physically handled or stressed, and it often has a uniform colour change. Contamination, on the other hand, can appear in patches, with irregular edges and colours like black, pink, or a fuzzy texture that differs from the mycelium. Bruised areas typically remain consistent in appearance once they form, while contamination spots can grow, spread, and change over time.
While bruising is mostly a cosmetic issue, it can sometimes be used as a supplementary tool for mushroom identification. For example, the saffron milk cap bruises green when handled, while the bolete on its right turns blue when sliced in half. However, it is important to note that bruising alone is not a reliable method for determining the safety of a mushroom. It should always be used in combination with other identification methods to ensure accuracy and safety.
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Frequently asked questions
No, dried mushrooms do not bruise. However, fresh mushrooms can bruise and change colour when handled roughly, dropped, or cut.
Mushroom bruising is a chemical reaction that occurs when certain compounds in the cell wall of the mushroom are exposed to air, resulting in a colour change.
Mushrooms can bruise blue, green, brown, reddish, or black.
No, bruising alone is not a reliable method for determining the safety of a mushroom. It should be used in combination with other identification methods.
Some mushrooms that bruise include Agaricus bisporus (white button mushroom), Russula rubescens, Lactarius chrysorrheus, and Psilocybe cubensis.
