Laura Smith
Mushrooms are a popular ingredient in many dishes, from fajitas to burgers and even mac-and-cheese. However, they are susceptible to mould growth, which can be a costly and hazardous issue. Mould on mushrooms can occur even in professional growing environments and can be challenging to identify and treat. While some sources suggest that commercial mushrooms are grown in sterile conditions, making them relatively clean, others recommend cleaning mushrooms before cooking to ensure food safety and optimal flavour. This involves removing dirt, twigs, and insects that may be present, especially on wild mushrooms. The cleaning method can vary depending on the type of mushroom and the desired level of cleanliness, with options including washing, soaking, brushing, or a combination of these techniques.
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What You'll Learn
How to prevent mould on mushrooms
Preventing mould on mushrooms requires careful attention to the growing environment. Mould thrives in warm and humid conditions, so maintaining optimal humidity levels is crucial. Here are some detailed steps to prevent mould on mushrooms:
Firstly, ensure good air circulation and ventilation, especially in damp areas. Use exhaust fans, air conditioners, and dehumidifiers to control humidity and keep the growing environment cool and dry. Regularly inspect your mushrooms for any signs of mould, and if you notice black, green, or orange patches, act swiftly as these are warning signs of potential mould contamination.
Secondly, keep the growing area clean and sanitised. Regularly clean and disinfect surfaces using a diluted bleach solution or isopropyl alcohol. Before handling the mushrooms or growing kit, always wash your hands with soap and water to avoid transferring mould spores. Additionally, ensure any tools used are clean and sanitised to prevent the spread of mould.
Thirdly, identify and address any sources of moisture. Plumbing leaks, roof leaks, and water damage can create the ideal environment for mould and fungi to thrive. Fix any leaks promptly and ensure proper ventilation in areas prone to moisture, such as bathrooms and kitchens.
Finally, avoid over-watering the mushrooms. Mushrooms require hydration, but over-watering can create conditions favourable for mould growth and even drown the mushroom mycelium. Instead, maintain hydration by misting the mushrooms and monitoring the condensation on the plastic flaps of the growing kit.
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How to identify mould on mushrooms
Mushrooms and mould share a similar love for their growing environment, making mould the biggest competitor to mushroom growers. The most common contaminant found in mushroom growing is Trichoderma, a genus of fungi that contains over 80 species. Trichoderma mould is usually green in colour, ranging from olive to emerald green. It is distinguished by its vibrant blue-green colour during sporulation and is the most common variety of green mould. It is known to produce an aggressive white mycelium that causes soft decay in mushrooms before it sporulates into a vibrant green.
Another common type of mould is black bread mould (Rhizopus stolonifer), which is also known as pinhead mould. This mould is common in soil and air and is one of the first to appear on stale bread. It has a dense mycelium that is white at first, then turns grey, and eventually black. Similar to cobweb mould, black bread mould is wispy but develops tiny black dots at the ends of its mycelium where its spores are produced. Animal pests such as fungus gnats and fruit flies are carriers of this mould's spores.
Other types of mould include orange bread mould and cobweb mould, which grows on the surface of mushrooms and can cover them with a fluffy white coating, causing the mushrooms to rot quickly.
Bacterial contamination is another common issue in mushroom growing. It appears as a dull grey, slimy, and excessively wet substance, similar to mucus. It often has a sour smell and can cause "wet spots" or "sour rot".
To identify mould on mushrooms, look out for discolouration and distinct bright colours such as green, blue, grey, or black patches on or in your fruiting box. Small blue stains in the mycelium may be bruising and not mould, especially where the rye presses the mycelium against the grow box. Additionally, slimy patches on your grain or mycelium indicate excess moisture and possible bacterial contamination. Brown and yellow stains, as well as crusty or gel-like textures, may also be signs of bacterial contamination.
It is important to note that mushroom mycelium can sometimes look similar to mould. Mycelium is typically white and filamentous, while contamination usually appears as coloured patches or discolourations. Spend time understanding what your mycelium should look like to better identify unhealthy or contaminated patches.
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How to physically clean mouldy mushrooms
Mouldy mushrooms are not only a nuisance but also a potential health hazard. While it is advised against consuming mushrooms infested with mould, you can try to salvage your mushroom crop by physically cleaning it. Here are the steps to physically clean mouldy mushrooms:
Identify the Source and Contain the Contamination
Try to identify the source of contamination and separate the affected mushrooms from the rest of the crop. Contamination can occur due to various reasons, such as unclean tools, spores, or a damp environment.
Prepare Your Tools
To physically remove mould from mushrooms, you will need a clean spoon (cleaned with 70% isopropyl alcohol), a spray bottle containing a 1% hydrogen peroxide solution, clean damp paper, and a bowl of water. Additionally, wear a mask and gloves to protect yourself from spores and mould.
Treat the Mould
Spray the hydrogen peroxide solution onto the surface of the contaminated mushrooms. Then, use the clean spoon to scoop out the mouldy parts and place them on the damp paper. If the mouldy area is smaller than a coin, your chances of saving the mushrooms are higher.
Dispose of Contaminated Materials
Dispose of the removed mould, contaminated tools, and any mushrooms that could not be salvaged in an outdoor area, such as your compost bin. Do not dispose of them indoors, as this may spread spores throughout your house.
Prevent Future Contamination
To prevent mould from recurring, ensure that your growing environment is clean and dry. Mould thrives in damp conditions, so address any sources of moisture, such as leaks or poor ventilation. Additionally, maintain the cleanliness of your tools and follow proper sanitation practices during the mushroom growing process.
While physical cleaning can help remove mould from mushrooms, it is important to catch the contamination early. Mould spreads quickly, and if left untreated, it may result in the loss of your entire crop. Always prioritise the safety of yourself and others by avoiding the consumption of mould-infested mushrooms.
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How to dispose of mouldy mushrooms
If you have mouldy mushrooms, it is important to dispose of them properly to prevent further mould growth and to avoid any potential health risks. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to dispose of mouldy mushrooms:
Step 1: Prepare the mushrooms for disposal
Use gloves and a face mask to protect yourself from spores and mould. Cut or break up the mushrooms into smaller pieces to reduce their volume. If the mushrooms are wet or slimy, blot them with paper towels to absorb excess moisture.
Step 2: Contain the mouldy mushrooms
Place the cut-up mushrooms into a small paper bag or wrap them in plastic. Secure the bag or plastic wrap tightly to prevent any mould spores from escaping. If using plastic, poke a few holes in the bag to allow for air circulation and prevent condensation.
Step 3: Dispose of the mushrooms responsibly
Throw the contained mouldy mushrooms into a covered trash can that children and animals cannot access. If you are disposing of a large amount of mouldy mushrooms, consider double-bagging them or using a larger trash bag. You can also take the mouldy mushrooms directly to a public dump, trash, or recycling centre.
Step 4: Clean and disinfect the area
Clean the refrigerator, pantry, or any surfaces that came into contact with the mouldy mushrooms. Use a mild detergent or disinfectant and wipe down the area thoroughly. This will help prevent the spread of mould spores and reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
Step 5: Practice good hygiene
After handling mouldy mushrooms, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. This will help remove any mould spores or bacteria that may be present on your hands.
It is important to act quickly when you spot mould on mushrooms. By following these steps, you can effectively and safely dispose of mouldy mushrooms while maintaining a clean and safe environment for yourself and others.
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How to salvage mouldy mushrooms
If your mushrooms have turned mouldy, it is generally recommended to throw them out. While cooking mushrooms at the proper temperature kills most germs, it does not destroy any toxins that the fungi may have excreted.
However, if you want to try to salvage mouldy mushrooms, you can try the following:
- First, inspect the mushrooms individually. If they are visibly mouldy, bruised, slimy, or spoiled, they are not safe to eat.
- If only a small part of the mushroom is mouldy, you can try to salvage the rest by cutting away the mouldy part. Make sure to cut away at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) around the mouldy area to ensure that all the mould is removed.
- After cutting away the mouldy part, wash the mushroom with water or brush it gently with a damp paper towel or pastry brush to remove any remaining spores.
- Dry the mushrooms thoroughly with a paper towel or clean cloth.
- Store the cleaned mushrooms in a paper bag or a container with a loose-fitting lid in the refrigerator. Make sure to use them within a few days, as they may spoil more quickly than fresh mushrooms.
It is important to note that this method may not remove all the mould and its toxins, so there is still a risk of food poisoning. If you have any doubts about the safety of the mushrooms, it is best to discard them.
To prevent mouldy mushrooms in the future, store them in a paper bag or container with holes to allow air circulation. Also, make sure to purchase fresh, firm mushrooms that are not prepackaged, as these are more likely to be contaminated.
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Frequently asked questions
If you are growing mushrooms and they have become mouldy, it is recommended to dispose of them outside and not in your home. You can use alcohol or vinegar to clean the contaminated area, but make sure to wear a mask and gloves.
To prevent mould from growing on your mushrooms, you should keep your growing area clean. All growers experience contamination, so when it happens, try to identify the source and then start again.
It is best to brush off any dirt from store-bought mushrooms, especially if you are serving them raw. If you are going to wash them, make sure not to soak them as they will become slimy.
Eating mouldy mushrooms is unsafe. Mouldy mushrooms can be hazardous to your health.
