Michael Davis
Morel mushrooms are a forager's treat, with their nutty, earthy flavour and meaty texture. But their honeycomb-like texture makes them a little more difficult to clean than other mushrooms. The cleaning method depends on how dirty the mushrooms are. If they are very dirty, a saltwater soak can help to remove grit and kill bugs. However, morels have a tendency to absorb water and can become soggy, so some people prefer to avoid soaking them. A quick rinse or a light brush is often sufficient for cleaning morels.
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What You'll Learn
Shake off loose dirt and debris
The first step to cleaning morel mushrooms is to shake off loose dirt and debris. Place the mushrooms in a paper bag or a colander and shake vigorously but gently. The goal is to knock out as much dirt as possible before cleaning them without bruising or breaking them. Lift the mushrooms out of the bag or colander, leaving any loosened dirt or debris behind. Avoid pouring out the contents, as this will simply dump the dirt back onto the mushrooms.
The shaking method is preferred by foragers who are fortunate enough to pick morels free of sand, dirt, or bugs. However, if you go mushroom hunting after rain or in sandier soil, this method might leave you with some gritty bites. In such cases, you may need to follow up with a rinse or a soak to ensure the mushrooms are thoroughly cleaned.
It is important to note that morel mushrooms have a sponge-like texture, which tends to trap dirt and grit. Therefore, they require a bit more attention when cleaning compared to other types of mushrooms. The cleaner the mushrooms are when you pick them, the less cleaning they will require before consumption.
After shaking off the loose dirt, you can proceed to the next steps of cleaning morel mushrooms. Depending on their level of dirtiness, you may choose to simply rinse them, give them a short soak, or opt for a long soak. Some people prefer to avoid soaking morels altogether, as it can affect their texture and make them more susceptible to mould or rotting if stored afterward.
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Rinse with cold water
Rinsing with cold water is one of the most popular ways to clean morale mushrooms. This method is ideal for foragers who are lucky enough to pick morels free of sand, dirt, or bugs. However, if you go mushroom hunting after rain or in sandier soil, this method might leave you with some gritty bites.
To start, gently shake the mushrooms to remove any loose dirt and debris. Place the mushrooms in a paper bag or a lidded colander and shake gently. Be careful not to shake too vigorously, as you might damage the morels.
Once you've shaken off the excess dirt, it's time to rinse them with cold water. Put the morels in a large bowl of cold water or a clean sink full of cold water and quickly swish them around. The swishing action will help loosen any remaining dirt in the mushrooms. Keep swishing until you can't see any more dirt coming off.
Lift the morels out of the water, leaving any dirt or grit behind at the bottom of the bowl or sink. If the water is particularly dirty, you may need to repeat the process with a clean bowl of cool water. Continue rinsing until no more dirt is released from the mushrooms.
After rinsing, it's important to dry the mushrooms thoroughly. Place them on a clean kitchen towel or layers of paper towels and gently pat them dry. Jostle them around to allow any water trapped in their holes to drain out. If the toweling becomes saturated, replace it with a dry towel and repeat the process until all the water has been removed from the mushrooms' nooks and crannies.
While some people prefer to soak their morel mushrooms, others argue that the longer the mushrooms are exposed to water, the more they lose their firm yet delicate texture. Therefore, a quick rinse with cold water is often sufficient to clean morale mushrooms, especially when combined with a gentle shake to remove loose dirt and debris.
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Soak in saltwater to remove bugs
Morel mushrooms are highly sought after for their earthy, nutty flavour and texture. However, their honeycomb pockets and deep nooks and crannies make them particularly susceptible to collecting dirt, grit, and bugs.
While there is some disagreement in the mushroom community about whether or not to use saltwater, soaking morel mushrooms in saltwater is an effective way to remove bugs and ensure they are safe to eat.
To start, gently shake the mushrooms in a paper bag or colander to remove any loose dirt and debris. Be careful not to shake too vigorously to avoid damaging the mushrooms.
Next, prepare a saltwater solution by dissolving two tablespoons of salt in a gallon of cool water in a large bowl or clean sink. You can also add garlic powder to the saltwater solution, as some believe it helps drive out bugs. Place the mushrooms in the saltwater and agitate them gently to help release any remaining dirt and bugs. Soak the mushrooms for 10 to 30 minutes, depending on how dirty they are.
After soaking, remove the mushrooms from the saltwater and rinse them thoroughly under cold running water to remove any remaining salt, dirt, or bugs. Finally, lay the cleaned mushrooms on paper towels or a clean kitchen towel and gently pat them dry. It is important to ensure the mushrooms are completely dry before cooking or storing them.
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Dry with paper towels
Morel mushrooms are highly desirable, but their honeycomb-like texture makes them a little more difficult to clean than other wild mushrooms.
The first step to cleaning morels is to shake off as much dirt as possible. Put the morels in a paper bag or a colander and shake gently. The goal here is to knock out as much dirt or debris from the morels before cleaning them, without bruising or breaking them.
Now it is time to use a bit of water. Put the morels in a large bowl of cold water (or a clean sink full of cold water) and quickly swish the morels around. The swishing is to help loosen any remaining dirt in the mushrooms, so if you can see the dirt coming off, keep going until you don't. Lift the morels out of the water (again, leaving behind any dirt or grit on the bottom of the bowl or sink). If the water is particularly dirty, you may want to repeat the process, dumping out the dirty water and starting with a clean bowl of cool water.
Once the morels are clean, put them on a clean kitchen towel or layers of paper towels. Now, for the part you've been waiting for: drying with paper towels. Quickly and gently pat the mushrooms dry, jostling them around a bit as you do so to allow any water in the holes to drain out. If the toweling is very wet, replace it with a dry paper towel and repeat the process to be sure all of the water has been removed from the mushrooms' nooks and crannies.
If you are not planning to cook the morels right away, you can dry them for future use. There are three methods to drying morel mushrooms: air dry, oven dry, and using a food dehydrator.
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Store in a paper bag or on a drying sheet
Storing morel mushrooms isn't difficult, but to make sure they last as long as possible, you need to follow a few guidelines. Never store morel mushrooms in a sealed plastic bag, sealed freezer bag, or an airtight container—they need airflow and not to be sealed up.
If you're planning to use your morels within a week, the refrigerator is your best bet. Stored in a paper bag, morels can stay fresh for up to seven days in the fridge. The paper bag helps absorb excess moisture, and it's important to ensure the morels are dry before storage. You can also reuse paper bags or cloth bags to store morels, but be sure to clean the bags thoroughly before using them again. Morels should be stored separately from other foods, as they can absorb odors and flavors from other foods.
If you have morels that you won't be using within a few days, you can store them in the freezer. To freeze morels, clean them thoroughly and let them dry completely. Once the morels are dry, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and put them in the freezer for a few hours until they are frozen solid. After the morels are frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or a zip-top freezer bag. Be sure to label the container with the date and contents. Frozen morels can last up to six months in the freezer.
Drying morels is another method of storing them for long periods. To dry morels, clean them thoroughly and let them dry completely. Cut the morels in half lengthwise, and place them on a baking sheet or a dehydrator tray. Dried morels will keep for six months in an airtight container like a plastic bag, and up to a year if you freeze them.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no definitive answer to this question as opinions vary among mushroom enthusiasts. While some advocate for a quick rinse, others prefer a short or long soak. Soaking can help remove dirt and bugs from the crevices of the mushrooms. However, it is important to note that excessive soaking can affect the texture of the mushrooms and make them soggy.
It is recommended to use slightly salty or saltwater to soak the mushrooms. This helps to remove any bugs and ensure that the water reaches all the crevices. After soaking, make sure to pat the mushrooms dry with a paper towel or clean kitchen towel.
If you prefer not to soak the mushrooms, you can use a brush to remove debris and gently shake the mushrooms in a paper bag or colander to dislodge any loose dirt. You can also use a damp paper towel to wipe them down, but be careful not to get them too wet.
It is recommended to clean morale mushrooms just before using them. The mushrooms will absorb water during the cleaning process, making them more susceptible to mold or rotting if stored afterward.
