John Miller
Mushrooms are a type of fungus that can be found in forests and are often eaten and enjoyed by people all over the world. However, mushrooms can sometimes be infested with worms, larvae, and other creatures. This can be a problem for people who want to consume the mushrooms they have foraged or purchased. While some worms and larvae are harmless and even edible, others can be detrimental to the mushroom and unappetizing. This article will explore the different ways to deworm mushrooms and make them safe for consumption.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How to identify worms in mushrooms | Cut the mushroom lengthwise and observe it. |
| What to do if a mushroom is too wormy | Don't pick it. |
| How to remove worms from solid mushrooms | Cut the mushroom into pieces to isolate the parts with holes. |
| How to remove worms from hollow mushrooms | Cut the mushroom along the length of the cavity. |
| How to remove worms from fleshy mushrooms | Cut the mushroom into pieces or immerse in an airtight plastic bag to force the worms out |
| What to do after removing worms | Trim any bitten or discolored areas and slice the base of the stem to check for bug holes. |
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What You'll Learn
Identify worms in mushrooms by cutting them lengthwise
To identify worms in mushrooms, it is recommended to cut them lengthwise. This method is particularly effective for fleshy mushrooms like porcini, chanterelles, and boletes. Cutting the mushrooms into pieces helps to isolate the parts with holes from those without, and ensures that the majority of worms are removed.
When dealing with hollow mushrooms, such as morels or yellowfoot chanterelles, simply cut along the length of the cavity to check for worms. For other types of mushrooms, it is advised to trim any obviously bitten or discoloured areas, as well as the stems, before cutting the mushrooms lengthwise. This two-step process helps to identify and remove worms and other bugs that may be present.
While this method does not guarantee the removal of every single bug, it is effective in eliminating the vast majority. It is important to note that some mushrooms, like morels, can be cut in half and dehydrated, causing the bugs to crawl out and fall due to the heat. This technique can also be achieved by pumping plastic bags with CO2 and sealing them.
After cutting the mushrooms lengthwise, further processing may be required to separate the worms from the mushroom pieces. This can be done by slicing the mushrooms into smaller pieces or using a food processor for finer cuts. Proper hand posture and knife skills are important to ensure safety and efficiency during the cutting process.
Overall, cutting mushrooms lengthwise is a crucial step in identifying and removing worms, and it can be complemented by additional techniques for more comprehensive deworming.
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Remove worms by cutting mushrooms into pieces
Removing worms by cutting mushrooms into pieces is an effective way to deworm your mushrooms. This technique is particularly efficient for fleshy mushrooms such as Porcini, Chanterelles, and Boletes.
Firstly, sort through all the mushrooms and discard any decayed specimens. Mushrooms that are soft-fleshed, such as Boletes, can become infested by insects and worms quickly, so it is important to check for any worm holes by cutting through the soft flesh.
Next, trim off any dried-out or woody parts from the stems. You can then cut the mushrooms into slices, quarters, or diced pieces. To slice, cut the mushrooms into slices of your desired thickness. To quarter, cut the mushroom in half, turn it 90 degrees, and then cut the halves into quarters. To chop or dice, cut the mushrooms into slices or quarters and then into smaller pieces.
Finally, remove the entire stem and cut it into slices or smaller pieces. You can also scoop out the gills with a spoon and discard them before cutting the cap into slices or smaller pieces.
It is important to note that this method may not remove every single worm or larva, but it will help to get rid of the majority.
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Soak mushrooms in an airtight plastic bag to force worms out
If you're dealing with worms in your mushrooms, it's important to act quickly. Worms in mushrooms are seeking two things: moisture and food. So, to force them out, you can try the following method using an airtight plastic bag.
Firstly, identify the type of mushroom you're dealing with. If you have soft-fleshed mushrooms like Boletes (Ceps, Porcini, or Steinpilz), cut through the flesh to reveal any traces of worm holes. For hollow mushrooms like Morels, simply cut along the length of the cavity to check for worms. This preparation method is important as it helps you target the worms effectively.
Next, take your porcini or other worm-infested mushrooms and place them in an airtight plastic bag. Seal the bag, and the lack of oxygen will cause the worms to quickly exit the mushrooms. Finish the cleaning process by removing the mushrooms from the bag and cutting them into pieces to check for any remaining worms.
This method is particularly effective for fleshy mushrooms. However, if you plan to eat the mushrooms immediately afterwards, it's recommended to avoid this technique as it can make the mushrooms taste too acidic.
Alternatively, you can try soaking the mushrooms in saltwater. This method works well for certain varieties like Morels and Oysters, but it's important to limit the soaking time to 5-10 minutes to avoid affecting the texture. After soaking, remove the mushrooms, brush off any remaining larvae, and store them as usual, preferably in a paper bag or cardboard box.
Remember, these methods may not remove every single worm or larva, but they will significantly reduce their presence. Always inspect your mushrooms closely and be prepared to pick out any remaining worms during the cooking process.
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Trim bitten or discoloured areas of the mushroom
If you've gone to the effort of foraging for mushrooms, only to discover that they are infested with bugs, there are some steps you can take to deworm them. Firstly, it is important to identify the type of mushroom you have, as some varieties, such as Morels and Oysters, can be soaked in saltwater without ruining their texture. For other mushrooms, such as Porcinis, soaking may make them slimy.
A simple tactic that can be used for most mushrooms is to trim any areas that are obviously bitten or discoloured. If the mushrooms have not been excessively slimed, you can simply remove any slugs or snails and trim around the bitten area. It is worth noting that slug and snail mucus is generally harmless, but wild mushrooms should always be cooked before eating, to be safe.
To check for bug holes, slice across the base of the stem. Small, circular holes in the cross section are a sure sign that larvae have hatched and are crawling around inside. If you discover this, you can try the saltwater soaking method mentioned above, or simply pick out any visible bugs during the cooking process.
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Avoid picking mushrooms that are too wormy
Mushrooms are part of a fungus's reproductive structure, and there are about 1.5 million different species of fungi. While mushroom foraging can be fun, it is important to be cautious as the majority of mushrooms are inedible and some common ones are so poisonous that they can even kill you. For instance, the notorious poisonous mushroom, deathcap, which resembles an Alice in Wonderland toadstool, causes liver failure and has no antidote.
To avoid picking mushrooms that are too wormy, it is important to inspect them closely before harvesting. Look for signs of worm infestation, such as small circular holes in the mushroom cap or stem, which indicate the presence of fungus gnat larvae or other insects. These holes may be more visible if you slice across the base of the stem. Additionally, check for discolouration or bite marks, which could suggest that insects or slugs have been feeding on the mushroom. If you notice significant damage or a high number of holes, it may be best to leave that mushroom and look for less wormy specimens.
Another way to reduce the chances of picking wormy mushrooms is to be selective about the types of mushrooms you choose. Certain species, such as porcini mushrooms, boletes, and golden chanterelles, are commonly infested with worms. Therefore, if you want to minimise the risk of encountering worms, you may want to avoid these varieties. On the other hand, mushrooms with hollow cavities, such as morels and yellowfoot chanterelles, can be a safer choice as it is easier to spot worms inside them. By cutting the mushroom along the length of the cavity, you can easily inspect for worms.
While it is challenging to completely avoid worms when foraging mushrooms, following these tips can help reduce the likelihood of picking overly infested specimens. Remember to cook wild mushrooms thoroughly before consuming them, as this can help eliminate any remaining larvae or insects that may be present, even in mushrooms that appear pristine.
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Frequently asked questions
If your mushroom is full (boletes, porcini mushrooms, golden chanterelles), cut it lengthwise to observe if there are worms inside. For hollow mushrooms (morels, yellowfoot chanterelles, etc.), simply cut the mushroom along the length of the cavity to check for worms.
One way to deworm mushrooms is to place them in an airtight plastic bag. The worms will come out of the mushrooms due to the lack of oxygen. You can also cut your mushrooms into pieces to isolate the parts with holes from those without.
The worms in mushrooms are typically fungus gnat larvae. They are harmless to humans and can even be eaten.
