Laura Smith
Magic mushrooms can be consumed fresh, but drying them is a great way to make your harvest last longer. Properly dried magic mushrooms can be stored for months without losing their flavour or potency. There are several ways to dry magic mushrooms, including air drying, using a dehydrator, or with a desiccant. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages in terms of cost, reliability, and ease of use. Once dried, it is important to store the mushrooms properly to prevent spoilage and maintain potency.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to harvest | Right before the veil tears away from the cap |
| How to dry | Air drying, dehydrators, desiccants |
| Air drying | Cheapest and easiest way, but may not always be effective |
| Dehydrators | Use gentle heat and constant airflow, optimal method, but most expensive |
| Desiccants | Cheap, can be bought or made, require pre-drying |
| Storage | Cool, dark place, use containers that allow airflow, include silica gel packets |
| Storage temperature | Ideal fridge temperature: 35–40°F (1.5–4°C) |
| How to know when dried | Mushrooms become rigid and snap when bent |
| How long do fresh mushrooms last | 3–5 days |
| How long do dried mushrooms last | Several months to over a year |
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What You'll Learn
Air drying
To air-dry mushrooms, place them on a wire rack in a warm room with a humidity level between 55% and 65%. If you don't have a wire rack, lay them on a clean cloth and be sure to flip them over every few hours so they dry evenly. Avoid direct sunlight, as this can degrade psilocybin, the compound with the most dramatic psychedelic effects.
If it is taking a while for the mushrooms to dry, you can put a fan on them for better ventilation. However, if your environment is particularly humid, you may want to place the mushrooms close to a radiator and set up a fan to blow air over them. Check on your mushrooms every day. After a few hours, they will start to become more rigid and dry. The process is complete when they become so dry that they snap when bent.
Once the mushrooms are dry, proper storage is crucial in prolonging their shelf life. Storing dried mushrooms in an airtight container, such as a mason jar, is the most effective method. This prevents oxygen, moisture, and light—three factors that can degrade psilocybin—from reaching your magic mushrooms. Stored in this manner, your mushrooms can remain potent for several months or even up to a year.
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Dehydrators
Any store-bought food dehydrator is likely to do the trick. It's a simple case of loading it up with mushrooms, turning it on, and then leaving them to dehydrate. However, many dehydrators come with a timer option, so if you're looking to dial in a specific length of time, this can be easily achieved.
Spread your pre-dried mushrooms out evenly across the drying racks, making sure none of them are touching. Slide the loaded trays into the dehydrator. Set the device to a low temperature setting (around 40°C) to keep the psilocybin intact. The whole process will take between 4–8 hours, depending on how long you pre-dried. Check on your mushrooms every hour or so to see how they're getting on. Test their structure to see how resistant they are. Once they snap under pressure, they're ready for storage.
Using a dehydrator is the most expensive way to dry magic mushrooms, but it's a worthy investment, especially if you plan on cultivating mushrooms regularly.
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Desiccants
Using desiccants is an effortless and cost-effective way to dry magic mushrooms. Desiccants are solids that absorb water from the atmosphere. They are commonly used to remove any lingering moisture from magic mushrooms.
To use a desiccant, you must first pre-dry your mushrooms. This can be done by air-drying, which is a cheap and effective method, although it requires a relative humidity below 55% RH. You can also use a fan to improve ventilation and speed up the process. Another option is to use a food dehydrator, although this can be expensive. You can also partially dry the mushrooms in the oven, but this must be done with caution as they can dry out too quickly or burn.
Once the mushrooms are pre-dried, you can place them in a container with the desiccant. Silica gel is the most commonly used desiccant, although it can be expensive. A cost-effective alternative is to make your own desiccant using Epsom salt. To do this, fill a baking tray with a 1cm-thick layer of Epsom salt and bake it in the oven at 230-250°C for about 2 hours. The salt will become a solid cake, which you can then break up and place in airtight containers.
When using the desiccant, place the pre-dried mushrooms on a metal mesh inside an airtight container. The desiccant will absorb the moisture from the mushrooms, and they will be ready when they snap. It is important to check on the mushrooms every couple of days. Once dried, the mushrooms should be stored in a cool, dark, dry location, such as a kitchen cupboard, to maximize their shelf life.
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Storing dried mushrooms
Storing dried magic mushrooms is a relatively simple process, but it requires attention to detail to ensure the mushrooms retain their potency and remain safe to consume. Here are some detailed, direct, and instructive guidelines for storing dried magic mushrooms:
Container Type:
Use airtight containers to store your dried magic mushrooms. Airtight containers help prevent moisture accumulation, which can lead to mould growth and bacteria. Mason jars, vacuum-sealed bags, glass jars with airtight seals, or silicone containers are all good options. Avoid using plastic bags or containers, as they can trap moisture and create a humid environment conducive to mould and bacteria growth.
Light Exposure:
Psilocybin, the psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms, is sensitive to light, especially UV rays. Store your mushrooms in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight and artificial light. Use opaque or dark containers to protect the mushrooms from light exposure, which can cause degradation and reduce potency.
Temperature Control:
Magic mushrooms are also sensitive to temperature fluctuations. Keep them in a cool, stable environment to preserve their active compounds. Avoid exposing them to high temperatures or heat sources, as this can diminish their potency and lead to degradation. The ideal storage temperature is below 70°F (21°C).
Moisture Control:
Ensure that your dried mushrooms are thoroughly dry before storing them. Even a small amount of residual moisture can cause problems. Consider using desiccants, such as silica gel packs, in your containers to absorb any moisture. This is especially important if you live in a humid environment.
Labeling and Tracking:
Label your containers with the date of acquisition and preparation. This helps you monitor the freshness and shelf life of your mushrooms. Magic mushrooms have a shelf life of approximately one to two years or longer under proper storage conditions, but their potency may gradually decline over time.
Common Mistakes:
Avoid common mistakes such as exposing the mushrooms to moisture, heat, or light. Do not freeze them, as this can damage the mushrooms. Keep the containers away from frequent opening, and ensure the storage environment is clean and free from contaminants.
By following these guidelines, you can effectively store your dried magic mushrooms, maintaining their freshness, potency, and safety for consumption.
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Alternative preservation methods
There are several alternative methods for preserving magic mushrooms. One way is to cook and freeze them. Clean the mushrooms, sauté them in butter, salt, and pepper, and add onion, garlic, or shallot for extra flavour. After the water in the mushrooms has evaporated, let them cool and then spoon them into freezer bags. Frozen mushrooms can be used in sauces, soups, casseroles, egg dishes, stir-fries, curries, and pilafs.
Another option is to preserve magic mushrooms in honey. This method can preserve the mushrooms for up to a year, although the type of mushroom and sugar content should be considered. Grind the mushrooms into a fine powder and mix them with honey. The mushrooms will infuse into the honey, changing its colour and transferring their psychedelic properties. The honey can then be consumed in tea, on toast, or straight from the spoon. However, this method may increase the risk of accidental overdosing due to its appealing taste.
You can also dry magic mushrooms in an oven. Clean the mushrooms with a dry brush or cloth to remove dirt, avoiding the use of water which can introduce moisture. Set the oven to its lowest temperature, typically between 140–170°F (60–75°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the mushrooms out in a single layer. Keep the oven door slightly open to allow moisture to escape and prevent overheating, which can degrade the mushrooms' potency.
Additionally, desiccants can be used to dry magic mushrooms. Desiccants are solids that absorb water. Silica gel is a commonly used desiccant. It can be purchased or made at home by baking Epsom salt from a pharmacy. Place the desiccant in a container with pre-dried mushrooms to remove any remaining moisture.
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Frequently asked questions
Fresh mushrooms are more perishable and can last only 3-5 days in the refrigerator. On the other hand, dried mushrooms can be stored for several months to over a year without losing their flavour or potency.
There are three common ways to dry magic mushrooms: air drying, using a dehydrator, and using a desiccant. Air drying is the cheapest and easiest method, but it may not always dry the mushrooms completely and is unreliable in humid environments. Dehydrators use a gentle heat source and constant airflow to gradually and evenly remove moisture, but they can be expensive. Desiccants are solids that absorb water and can be used to pull moisture out of mushrooms that have been pre-dried.
After a few hours of drying, mushrooms will start to become more rigid and dry. They are fully dry when they snap if bent.
To store dried magic mushrooms, keep them in a cool, dark, dry place. Heat, UV light, and exposure to air can speed up the decomposition of psilocybin, the psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms.
