The Ultimate Guide To Cleaning Mushrooms

Mushrooms are a versatile ingredient, but they can be a little tricky to clean. The first step is to identify whether your mushrooms are cultivated or wild. If you bought them at a grocery store, they are cultivated; if you foraged them yourself, they are wild. If you bought them at a farmer's market, they could be either, so make sure to ask the vendor. Cultivated mushrooms are grown in sterile environments and are quite clean, so they don't need to be washed and can be brushed off with a dry towel or mushroom brush. Wild mushrooms, on the other hand, may have more grit and dirt, so they will need to be cleaned more carefully. You can clean wild mushrooms by filling a large bowl with cold water, swirling the mushrooms in the water to loosen any dirt, and then immediately patting them dry with a clean towel. You can also use a mushroom brush, an extra-soft toothbrush, or a baby brush to gently remove dirt from the gills and crevices. It's important to clean mushrooms just before cooking, as exposure to moisture can speed up rotting and create an opportunity for mold.

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Cleaning cultivated vs wild mushrooms

When it comes to cleaning mushrooms, the first step is to determine whether they are cultivated or wild. Cultivated mushrooms are grown in sterile environments, similar to a science laboratory, and are commonly found in grocery stores. On the other hand, wild mushrooms are foraged or harvested from the wild, often found near trees or in yards. These different growing environments result in varying levels of cleanliness and require distinct cleaning approaches.

Cleaning Cultivated Mushrooms:

Cultivated mushrooms are relatively clean due to their sterile cultivation conditions. As a result, they usually only require a gentle cleaning process:

• Use a dry towel or mushroom brush to wipe away any visible dirt.
• If the mushrooms are especially dirty, you can lightly rinse them with cool water and then pat them dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel.
• Avoid soaking cultivated mushrooms as they absorb water easily, which can affect their texture and browning capabilities during cooking.
• Trim the ends of the stems if necessary.

Cleaning Wild Mushrooms:

Wild mushrooms are more likely to be dirty and may harbour insects or parasites. Therefore, a more thorough cleaning process is required:

• Before placing wild mushrooms in your basket, use a brush to remove large debris and dirt, or blow on them to dislodge smaller particles.
• Fully remove the dirty or woody base where the mushroom was attached to the ground or wood.
• Inspect the mushrooms for discolouration, worm holes, or soft spots.
• Break the mushrooms into smaller chunks to expose the interior and remove any remaining sticks or debris.
• Clean a sink or use a large bowl, filling it with cold water. Plunge the mushroom pieces into the water and swish them around. Dirt will settle at the bottom, and needles or debris will float to the top. Carefully remove the cleaned mushroom chunks. Repeat if necessary.
• If using a colander, place the mushrooms inside and spray them with cool water at fairly firm pressure from multiple angles to dislodge any remaining dirt or needles.
• Rinse the mushrooms just before cooking to avoid reducing their shelf life.
• For mushrooms with bug holes, add salt to the washing water (1 tablespoon per 4 cups of water). Soak the mushrooms for 20 minutes, then drain and repeat the process. Dry the mushrooms on cotton dish towels.

Brushing vs washing

Whether you choose to brush or wash your mushrooms, it is important to clean them just before you intend to use them, as any moisture can create an opportunity for mould.

Brushing

Mushrooms can be brushed with a dry towel, a mushroom brush, a baby brush, or a soft toothbrush. Brushing is a good way to clean mushrooms that are foraged or purchased from a farmer's market, as these mushrooms are likely to be less gritty and more expensive. Brushing is also a good option for mushrooms with exposed gills, such as oyster mushrooms, portobellos, and shiitakes, as these mushrooms are more absorbent. Cultivated mushrooms, which are grown in sterile environments, can also be brushed without washing, as they are quite clean to begin with.

Washing

Mushrooms can be washed in cold water, either in a bowl or in a colander. When washing, only add a few mushrooms to the water at a time, and swirl them around for about ten seconds to loosen any dirt. Then, remove the mushrooms from the water and pat them dry with a clean, lint-free towel. Lay the mushrooms out (caps up) to finish air-drying before cooking. Washing is a good option for mushrooms that are very dirty, such as certain wild varieties, which may have dirt in their crevices. It is also a good option for mushrooms without exposed gills, such as button mushrooms, creminis, and porcinis, as these mushrooms absorb less water.

A Combination of Both

In some cases, a combination of brushing and washing may be the best approach. For example, for foraged mushrooms that may be harbouring bugs or grit, it is recommended to first cut the mushroom into pieces, then submerge the pieces in water and agitate to remove any dirt. After washing, the mushrooms should be patted dry between clean kitchen towels. Similarly, for morels, it is recommended to first brush the mushrooms, then wash them in a bowl of water, and finally dry them in a salad spinner.

How to dry mushrooms

Drying mushrooms is an important step in the cleaning process. It is recommended to clean mushrooms just before cooking them, as unwashed mushrooms tend to last longer in the refrigerator. Exposure to excess moisture can speed up rotting, so it is important to dry mushrooms thoroughly before cooking. Here are the steps to dry mushrooms:

• After rinsing or soaking the mushrooms, gently pat them dry with a clean, lint-free towel.
• Lay the mushrooms out with the caps facing up and allow them to air-dry completely.
• If you have a salad spinner, you can use it to remove excess moisture from the mushrooms, especially from the gills.
• If you don't have a salad spinner, you can bundle the mushrooms gently in a thin cotton dish towel and swing them in a windmill motion. This is best done outdoors to avoid making a mess.
• Place the mushrooms on a double layer of cotton dish towels to absorb any remaining moisture.
• Make sure the mushrooms are completely dry before cooking to avoid ending up with soggy or rubbery mushrooms.

It is worth noting that different types of mushrooms require different cleaning methods. Cultivated mushrooms, which are grown in sterile environments, may only need a quick brush-off with a dry towel or a gentle wipe with a damp cloth. Wild mushrooms, on the other hand, may require a more thorough cleaning, including soaking and aggressive washing to remove dirt, grit, and bugs.

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Tools to clean mushrooms

The tools you will need to clean mushrooms depend on the type of mushroom and the level of cleaning required.

For cultivated mushrooms:

• A dry pastry brush, mushroom brush, or a dry paper towel can be used to gently rub off any dust or mud.
• A paring knife can be used to remove any crusty dirt clods.
• If the mushrooms still seem dirty, a damp paper towel or clean kitchen towel can be used to wipe them down.
• For sliced mushrooms, a colander can be used to give them a quick rinse.
• If the mushrooms are very dirty, a bowl of cold water can be used to soak them, followed by drying with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel.

For wild mushrooms:

• A brush is the best way to clean wild mushrooms as they tend to be more delicate and expensive.
• Extra-soft toothbrushes and baby brushes are ideal for gently removing dirt from the gills and smaller cavities.
• A damp cloth can be used after brushing to ensure they are extra clean.

It is important to note that mushrooms should be cleaned right before cooking, as any moisture can create an opportunity for mould.

When to clean mushrooms

The best time to clean mushrooms is right before you intend to use them. This is because any moisture can create an opportunity for mould to develop. If you are using store-bought mushrooms, these are cultivated and grown in sterile, pasteurized environments, so they are quite clean to begin with and don't require washing. Simply brush off any excess dirt with a mushroom brush, paper towel, or a dry towel.

If your mushrooms are foraged or wild, they may be harbouring bugs or have grit and dirt attached, so they will need to be washed. Fill a large bowl with cold water and add a few mushrooms at a time, swirling them around to loosen any dirt. Then, remove them immediately and pat them dry with a clean, lint-free towel. Lay them out (caps up) to finish air-drying.

If your mushrooms are very dirty, you can also cut off the ends of the stems, which tend to be tough and dirty, before washing. If you are dealing with wild Hen of the Woods mushrooms, cut the mushroom into pieces before washing, submerging the pieces in water, and then drying them in a salad spinner.

It is important to note that mushrooms are highly absorbent, so avoid submerging them completely in water, and always wash them before slicing. If you are using pre-sliced mushrooms, these are usually clean and ready to eat.

Frequently asked questions