Emily Johnson
Magic mushrooms, also known as psilocybin mushrooms, are popular among researchers, therapists, hobbyists, and growers due to their unique psychedelic experiences and potential therapeutic benefits. Properly drying and storing these mushrooms is essential to avoid the degradation of their active compounds and to prevent the growth of mold or bacteria. This involves removing excess water from freshly harvested mushrooms and ensuring they are bone dry before storing them in a dark, cool, and dry place. This process can be done through air-drying, using a dehydrator, or with the help of silica gel.
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What You'll Learn
Pre-drying: place on cardboard/towel in a well-ventilated area
After harvesting your mushrooms, it is important to dry them properly to avoid spoilage and degradation. One of the initial steps in drying your psychedelic mushrooms is pre-drying. This method removes excess water from your harvest before you thoroughly dry them out. Pre-drying is essential as it makes it much easier to weigh out more consistent doses when the time comes.
To pre-dry your mushrooms, place them on a piece of cardboard or a dry towel. Ensure that they are evenly spread out and not touching. Move your cardboard or towel to a well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight. You can place them on top of your fridge or on a shelf in a walk-in closet. Alternatively, you can place the cardboard in front of a fan to air them out. This will help prevent contamination and spoilage.
If you are using a towel instead of cardboard, you may need to change it from time to time to avoid retaining too much moisture. A clean and dry surface is crucial. You can also place a black or dark towel over the mushrooms, as this will attract more heat and speed up the drying process.
Pre-drying usually takes a few hours, and you can check on your mushrooms occasionally to monitor their progress. You'll know they're ready when they appear wrinkly and feel rubbery to the touch. Once pre-dried, you can proceed with the next steps of drying and storing your mushrooms to maintain their potency and quality.
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Air drying: the cheapest and best method
Air drying is the cheapest and best method for drying psychedelic mushrooms. It is a slow and consistent method that ensures your mushrooms dry out evenly and thoroughly.
Before you begin, it is important to disinfect the work environment, as well as the tools and containers that will be used during the process. You can do this by wiping down surfaces with a mixture of distilled water and 5-10% bleach, and then again with distilled water to remove any bleach residue. Leave the space to air out for a few hours before beginning the drying process.
To pre-dry your mushrooms, place them on a piece of cardboard or a dry towel, ensuring they are spread out and not touching. Place the cardboard or towel in a well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight, such as on top of a fridge or in a walk-in closet. You can also place the mushrooms in front of a fan to speed up the process. The mushrooms will be pre-dried within a few hours, and will appear wrinkly and feel rubbery to the touch.
To air-dry the mushrooms, it is recommended to lay them out on a wire rack, so they can dry out evenly on all sides. If you don't have a wire rack, you can lay them on a clean cloth, but be sure to flip them over every few hours. Keep them in a moderately warm space, ideally between 60-70°F, with humidity between 55-65%. Make sure the mushrooms are kept out of direct sunlight.
The mushrooms will be fully dried when they are bone dry and snap easily when you attempt to bend them. At this point, they can be stored in airtight containers in a cool, dark, and dry place.
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Dehydrator: a faster, but more expensive method
Drying psychedelic mushrooms is a crucial step in preserving their potency and preventing spoilage. While air-drying is a common method, a dehydrator offers a faster alternative, albeit at a higher cost. Here's a detailed guide on using a dehydrator to dry your mushrooms:
Pre-drying Setup
Before using a dehydrator, it's important to pre-dry your mushrooms to remove excess water. Start by disinfecting your work environment, tools, and containers to prevent contamination. Place the mushrooms on a piece of cardboard or a dry towel, ensuring they don't touch each other. Choose a well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight, such as on top of a fridge or in front of a fan, to enhance airflow. This pre-drying process usually takes a few hours, and you'll know it's complete when the mushrooms appear wrinkly and feel rubbery.
Dehydrator Settings and Timing
Dehydrators vary, so it's essential to set yours to a low temperature to avoid over-drying. Check your mushrooms after about an hour, and if they're close to being done, put them back and check every 10-15 minutes. The mushrooms should be bone dry and snap easily when bent.
Storage
Once your mushrooms are dried, it's crucial to store them properly to maintain their potency and prevent spoilage. Keep them in a dark place with moderate temperature and humidity. Use airtight containers, such as mason jars or bottles, to minimize oxygen exposure and prevent mould growth. With proper storage, your dried mushrooms can retain their potency for several months or even years.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Using a dehydrator is a faster method than air-drying, which typically takes 1-3 days. However, it is more expensive. Dehydrators also require careful monitoring to avoid over-drying the mushrooms. Air-drying, on the other hand, ensures a slow and consistent drying process but may take longer. Ultimately, the choice between using a dehydrator or air-drying depends on your time constraints and budget.
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Post-drying: store in a cool, dark, dry place
After drying your magic mushrooms, it is important to store them in a cool, dark, and dry place to prevent them from spoiling. Light and oxygen will cause the mushrooms to degrade and lose potency faster, so it is crucial to minimise their exposure to these elements.
To store your dried magic mushrooms, use an airtight container, such as a mason jar or bottle, which is much more effective at keeping out oxygen than a Ziploc bag. If you have access to a vacuum machine, packing the mushrooms in a vacuum is even better as it provides optimal storage conditions. Make sure the container is completely dry and disinfected before adding the mushrooms. You can disinfect the container by filling it with distilled water and 5-10% bleach, shaking it vigorously, and then rinsing it at least three times with distilled water.
Store the mushrooms in a cool, dry place with moderate temperature and humidity. The ideal humidity level for storing magic mushrooms is between 55-65%. Keep them away from direct sunlight, as this can affect their potency and quality.
Properly dried and stored magic mushrooms can last for several months or even years without losing their flavour or potency. However, it is important to regularly check on your stored mushrooms for any signs of spoilage. Mould or bacteria can cause the mushrooms to turn black or develop an unusual odour, indicating that they are no longer safe for consumption.
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Disinfecting: clean the work environment and equipment before drying
Disinfecting your work environment and equipment is essential before drying psychedelic mushrooms. This process will help prevent contamination and ensure that your mushrooms remain safe for consumption. Here are some detailed steps to guide you through the disinfection process:
Cleaning the Work Environment:
- Prepare a mixture of distilled water and bleach: Combine distilled water with 5-10% bleach in a container. This mixture will be used to disinfect surfaces.
- Wipe down surfaces: Using a clean cloth, moisten it with the distilled water and bleach mixture. Thoroughly wipe down all work surfaces, including counters, tables, and any other areas that may come into contact with the mushrooms. Pay close attention to corners and crevices, as dirt and debris can accumulate in these areas.
- Remove bleach residue: After disinfecting with the bleach mixture, use a second clean cloth moistened with distilled water only to remove any remaining bleach residue. This step is important to ensure that no bleach traces are left on the surfaces.
- Air out the room: Once you've finished wiping down the surfaces, let the room air out for a few hours. Open windows or doors to facilitate proper ventilation and allow any remaining disinfectant vapors to dissipate.
Disinfecting Equipment and Tools:
- Clean equipment with soap or detergent: Before disinfecting, start by thoroughly cleaning all equipment and tools with soap or detergent. Remove any dirt, debris, or organic matter that may be present. Rinse generously with water. This step is crucial, as disinfectants are most effective on clean surfaces.
- Use approved disinfectants: Select disinfectants that are suitable for mushroom production. Common options include aerosol disinfectants, FCS (food contact surface) sanitizers, or 70% Isopropyl alcohol. Follow the instructions for safe handling and application of the chosen disinfectant.
- Pay attention to food processing equipment: If you're using equipment such as slicers, mushroom washers, or blanching equipment, ensure they are cleaned with proper disinfectants or thoroughly rinsed with potable water after use with non-FCS chemicals. This step is crucial to prevent cross-contamination.
- Consider worker safety: When working with disinfectants, always wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect yourself from chemical exposure. This may include gloves, eye protection, and a face mask.
- Dry equipment thoroughly: After disinfecting, ensure that all equipment and tools are completely dry before using them for mushroom drying. This may involve air-drying or using clean, dry cloths to wipe down the equipment.
Remember, it is crucial to maintain a sterile and disinfected environment when working with psychedelic mushrooms to prevent contamination and ensure the safety of your final product.
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Frequently asked questions
Freshly harvested psychedelic mushrooms will spoil and go to waste within a few days. When dried and stored properly, they can be stored for months or even years without losing their flavour or potency.
Place the freshly harvested mushrooms on a piece of cardboard or a dry towel, ensuring they are spread out and not touching. Leave them in a well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight, or place the cardboard in front of a fan. The mushrooms should be left to pre-dry for a few hours until they appear wrinkly and rubbery.
After pre-drying, the mushrooms should be placed on a wire rack in a moderately warm space, ideally between 60-70°F with 55-65% humidity. You can also place them on a clean cloth, but be sure to flip them over every few hours. The mushrooms are fully dried when the stems snap easily.
Dried psychedelic mushrooms can last several months or even a year if stored properly.
Dried mushrooms should be kept in a closed container in a cool, dark, and dry place. Use an airtight container such as a mason jar or bottle to keep out oxygen and prevent the growth of mould or bacteria.
