Emily Johnson
Mushrooms are usually dirty when purchased at the grocery store, so it is important to know how to clean them without letting them get waterlogged. While some sources suggest that mushrooms absorb a negligible amount of water, others recommend using a damp paper towel or dishcloth to wipe away dirt. This method is especially recommended for portobello mushrooms, which have a larger capacity to hold water. If you are working with smaller mushrooms, such as button, cremini, or shiitake mushrooms, you can place them in a colander or salad spinner and rinse them under running water. For wild mushrooms, such as chanterelles, it is important to check for bug holes and soak them in salted water to remove any potential bugs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tools | Paper towels, dish cloth, colander, salad spinner, kitchen shears, mushroom brush, kitchen towels |
| Method | Wipe with damp paper towel or cloth, rinse under running water, twist off stem, trim edges, scrape away gills with spoon |
| Timing | Wash just before cooking to avoid sogginess |
| Exceptions | Pre-sliced mushrooms may already be washed, but can be rinsed again |
| Types | Portobello, button, cremini, shiitake, oyster, chanterelle, morel |
| Notes | Mushrooms absorb a negligible amount of water, but can get waterlogged; dirt can be hidden in gills |
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What You'll Learn
Use a damp paper towel to wipe away dirt
How to Wash Mushroom Caps with a Damp Paper Towel
Washing mushrooms with water is a controversial topic. Some sources claim that it is a sin punishable by the culinary gods, while others argue that it is necessary to remove dirt and grit. The truth is that mushrooms are extremely porous and will absorb water like sponges, which can affect their texture and make them soggy. Therefore, it is recommended to use a damp paper towel to wipe away dirt from mushroom caps instead of washing them under running water.
To start, lightly dampen a paper towel or clean kitchen towel. You can also use a soft mushroom brush or a clean dishcloth. Make sure not to use too much water, as you don't want to soak the mushrooms. Gently wipe each mushroom with the damp paper towel, one at a time, until all visible dirt is removed. Be careful not to press too hard, especially if the mushrooms are delicate. This method is ideal for mushrooms that do not have much visible dirt on them.
If your mushrooms are very dirty, you can try giving them a quick spritz with water or a light spray before wiping them with the damp paper towel. This will help loosen and remove any stubborn dirt. You can also try soaking them for a few minutes in lightly salted water to remove any insects or stubborn dirt, but make sure to dry them thoroughly afterward.
After cleaning your mushrooms, it is important to remove the stems. Gently snap off the stem from the side, leaving the mushroom cap hollow. You can save the stems to use in stuffing or broths if you like. Once the stems are removed, you can proceed with slicing or dicing the mushroom caps according to your recipe.
It is generally recommended to wash mushrooms just before cooking to avoid spoilage and to ensure they are fresh. Additionally, make sure to store cleaned mushrooms in a brown paper bag or the crisper drawer of your refrigerator, avoiding plastic bags as they can trap moisture and make the mushrooms slimy.
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Rinse under running water
Rinsing mushroom caps under running water is a quick and easy way to clean them. It is recommended to wash mushrooms just before cooking to avoid sogginess. Place the mushrooms in a colander or salad spinner and rinse them under running water to remove dirt. If you are using a salad spinner, spin the mushrooms dry, otherwise, pat them dry with a paper towel.
When cleaning portobello mushrooms, it is recommended to use a damp paper towel to wipe away any dirt or debris, as rinsing with water can cause a loss of flavor. Similarly, when cleaning oyster mushrooms, it is advised to trim their ends and then soak them in water for five minutes before drying them thoroughly. This is because oyster mushrooms are very delicate and tend to break easily.
If you are cleaning wild mushrooms, such as chanterelles, it is important to inspect them for tiny bug holes at the stem end. If there are no bug holes, you can wash them following the method for wild hen of the woods. However, if bug holes are present, add a tablespoon of salt to four cups of water, swoosh to dissolve the salt, and then soak the mushrooms for 20 minutes. Drain the water and repeat the process. Dry the mushrooms on a double layer of cotton dish towels.
While rinsing under running water is a convenient method, some people prefer to use a mushroom brush to gently brush away the dirt from the mushroom caps. This is especially useful for delicate mushrooms like morels, which can be halved lengthwise and then swooshed in a bowl of water.
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Use a salad spinner to dry
Mushrooms are prone to absorbing water, and they also grow in dirt. While some people prefer to wipe mushrooms with a damp paper towel or cloth to remove visible dirt, others prefer to give them a quick rinse. If you're someone who likes to wash your mushrooms, using a salad spinner to dry them is a great option.
First, place your mushrooms in the basket of the salad spinner. You can either rinse them under running water to remove specks of dirt or dunk them in a bowl of water, swirling the water around with your hands before placing them in the spinner.
Next, place the basket back into the spinner and spin it as you would a bunch of lettuce. The centrifugal force will quickly fling the excess water from the mushrooms, leaving them dry and ready to cook.
If you're using a salad spinner to dry your mushrooms, it's best to wash and spin them just before cooking to avoid sogginess. It's also important to note that different varieties of mushrooms may require different handling techniques when cleaning. For example, Portobello mushrooms have larger caps that can hold more water, so you may prefer to wipe them down with a damp cloth instead of rinsing them under running water.
Additionally, if you're using a salad spinner to dry mushrooms that have been soaked in salty water to remove tiny creatures, be sure to rinse the basket thoroughly before spinning your mushrooms to avoid any residual salt affecting the taste.
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Remove gills with a spoon
Removing gills from mushroom caps is a matter of personal preference. Some people do it because they find the gills unappetizing in terms of both texture and flavour. The gills can also affect the colour of the dish, especially if it is white.
If you decide to remove the gills, you will need a spoon, preferably a small one. First, remove the woody stem, either by pulling it out gently or cutting it out. You can choose to mince the stem and add it to your dish or save it for vegetable stock. Next, hold the mushroom in your non-dominant hand with the gill side facing up. Take the spoon and gently insert its tip under the edge of the gills to pry them off in chunks. You can also use the spoon to clean and lightly scrape off the gills, but be careful to create a uniform look. The gills should come out pretty easily, so there is no need to apply a lot of pressure. If you apply too much pressure, you risk breaking the mushroom or punching through it. Once the gills have been removed, you can give the cap a quick rinse or wipe it out with a damp paper towel.
Removing the gills can also help with prep work, especially if you are breaking down the large cap into smaller strips or pieces. It also makes cleaning portobello mushrooms easier as bits of dirt and sand can hide deep in the gills.
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Soak in water and vinegar
Mushrooms are porous and tend to absorb water like sponges. Soaking them in water and vinegar is an effective way to clean them without waterlogging.
First, fill a large bowl with water and add a splash of vinegar. For every four parts of water, add one part of vinegar. You can also add a tablespoon of salt for every four cups of water to evict any tiny creatures.
Next, dunk the mushrooms in the bowl and swirl them around with your hands for about a minute. You can also fill the bowl with water, place the mushrooms in it, and count to 10 before removing them. If your mushrooms are very dirty, you may need to scrub them with a mushroom brush or a soft toothbrush while they soak to remove stubborn dirt.
Finally, drain the mushrooms and lay them out on a double layer of cotton dish towels or paper towels to pat them dry. Make sure to wash the mushrooms just before you need to use them, as unwashed mushrooms last longer in the refrigerator.
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Frequently asked questions
Use a damp paper towel or a clean dishcloth to gently wipe away any dirt from the surface of the mushroom cap.
Yes, but only if you plan to cook the mushrooms immediately after washing them, as they will get soggy and slimy. Place the mushrooms in a colander or salad spinner and rinse them under running water to remove dirt. Dry them with a paper towel or use a salad spinner.
Portobello mushrooms are large and tend to hold more water, so it's best to use a damp paper towel to wipe away any dirt from the surface. Trim any raggedy edges with kitchen shears, then twist the stem back and forth to remove it. Use a spoon to gently scrape away the gills from underneath the cap.
