John Miller
Mushrooms are a versatile ingredient, adding an earthy, umami-rich flavor to a variety of dishes. However, they can be a little tricky to store due to their high water content and tendency to spoil quickly. So, when should you toss those mushrooms? Fresh mushrooms should be dry, firm, and smooth with a subtle, sweet, and earthy scent. If they become soft, slimy, or develop dark spots, it's time to toss them as these are signs of spoilage and bacterial growth. Cooked mushrooms can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days, while raw mushrooms can last 5-10 days, depending on the variety. To extend their shelf life, you can freeze cooked mushrooms for 9-12 months. But remember, always trust your senses and if they smell or look suspicious, it's best to toss them to stay safe and avoid foodborne illnesses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Smell | Fresh mushrooms should have a subtle, light scent that is sweet and earthy. If they have a strong smell, it means they have gone bad. |
| Texture | Mushrooms should be dry, firm, smooth, and plump. Mushrooms that are soft, mushy, shrivelled, slimy, sticky, or spongy have gone bad. |
| Appearance | If the mushrooms have bruises, dark spots, or are discoloured, they are starting to go bad. |
| Storage | Fresh mushrooms should be stored in a paper bag with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture. They can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 10 days but are best within the first week. Cooked mushrooms can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. |
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What You'll Learn
If they smell bad
If your mushrooms smell bad, it's time to toss them. Mushrooms should have a subtle, light scent that is sweet and earthy, and you should only be able to smell them when they're close to your face. If your mushrooms have a strong smell that is evident from a distance, it's a sign that they have gone bad.
Mushrooms that have started to rot will give off a range of strange smells, from ammonia-like odors to sour or fishy smells. This occurs when the mushroom ferments and breaks down, causing bacteria to form. If you detect any unpleasant odors, it's best to discard the mushrooms as spoiled mushrooms can make you sick.
To prevent mushrooms from spoiling, it's important to store them correctly. Fresh mushrooms should be kept in a way that allows them some air without drying them out. A popular storage method is to place them in a paper bag with the top loosely rolled up inside the refrigerator. You can also store them in plastic bags lined with paper towels to help capture moisture, ensuring that you change the towels regularly.
Additionally, it's important to note that the shelf life of mushrooms varies depending on the type and storage method. Whole fresh mushrooms can typically be stored for up to a week, while cooked mushrooms should be consumed within 3-4 days. To extend the shelf life of mushrooms, you can also consider freezing them.
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If they're slimy
If your mushrooms are slimy, it means they are past their prime and have started to spoil. This is because, unlike apples and pears, mushrooms do not have a protective peel, so when they are placed inside plastic packaging or a paper bag, the moisture trapped inside creates an environment perfect for microbial growth, including bacteria and moulds.
However, some people do eat slightly slimy mushrooms. One source suggests that if slime is the only sign of spoilage, you might be able to salvage your mushrooms by cooking them in soups, sauces, or a pot of chilli. Another source states that slimy mushrooms won't make you sick, but they have very little flavour.
If your mushrooms are slimy and you decide to eat them, you could wash the slime off and cook them. However, do a taste test to see if they offer their naturally tasty umami flavours. If they taste bitter or off-putting, discard the rest.
To avoid slime, store your mushrooms in a paper towel-lined paper bag in the fridge. The paper towel will absorb any excess moisture, and the open paper bag will allow air to flow freely, keeping your mushrooms fresh.
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If they're wrinkled
If your mushrooms have started to wrinkle, it means they are getting old and dehydrated. If they are only slightly wrinkled and aren't slimy, smelly, or discoloured, they are still safe to eat, but you should use them immediately. In fact, some sources suggest that older mushrooms have a deeper, earthier, more mushroomy flavour than fresh samples.
However, if your mushrooms have lots of wrinkles and look very shrivelled, they are too far gone, and it is safer not to eat them. As mushrooms continue to age, they will develop dark spots, and eventually, the whole mushroom will be covered with spots, at which point they are definitely not safe to eat.
If you want to keep your mushrooms fresh for longer, it is best to store them in a paper bag with a folded piece of paper towel inside. This will keep the moisture at bay. Avoid plastic bags, as these are not considered to be mushroom-friendly, and can cause slime to form.
Remember, it is important to closely inspect all of the food that you prepare and consume, especially when it comes to older produce.
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If they're stored incorrectly
Mushrooms are delicate and perishable, and incorrect storage can lead to spoilage. Fresh mushrooms are dry, firm, and smooth with a pleasantly earthy smell. Soft, mushy, shrivelled, or slimy mushrooms are signs of incorrect storage.
Mushrooms have a high moisture content of around 90%, and their structure means they can easily lose water. Trapped water on the fungi can expedite spoilage. Therefore, the key to storing mushrooms is moisture control.
Storing mushrooms in a sealed plastic container or plastic wrap can trap moisture and speed up spoilage. Paper towels and plastic bags can also trap moisture, leading to a thin layer of slime forming on the mushrooms.
Mushrooms should be stored in a dry environment. Paper bags are recommended as they absorb any moisture. If paper bags are unavailable, wrapping the mushrooms in a paper towel and placing them in a bowl in the refrigerator is another option.
Additionally, it is important to avoid washing mushrooms before storing them, as this will shorten their shelf life.
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If they're past their prime
If your mushrooms are past their prime, it's important to know how to handle them safely. While some signs of deterioration, like wrinkling or slight discolouration, indicate that mushrooms should be used immediately, other signs suggest that they should be discarded altogether.
Mushrooms that have become soft, soggy, or spongy, and floppy have begun to decompose and should not be eaten. This is because, at this stage, bacteria are breaking the mushrooms down, and consuming them may lead to illness.
Similarly, if your mushrooms have developed a strong smell, this is a sign that they are fermenting and breaking down. Different bacteria cause different odours, so bad mushrooms may give off various strange smells, ranging from ammonia-like odours to sour or fishy smells. If your mushrooms smell off in any way, don't risk eating them.
If your mushrooms have developed any spots of mould, throw them out. This is because the mould could be harmful if ingested, and you don't want to risk exposing yourself to harmful bacteria.
If your mushrooms are just starting to lose freshness, they can be salvaged by cooking them in soups, sauces, or a pot of chilli. However, if your mushrooms exhibit other signs of decomposition, like those mentioned above, they should be avoided completely.
To avoid wasting mushrooms, it's important to store them correctly. Fresh mushrooms should be kept in a way that allows them some air without drying them out too much. A popular storage method is to use a paper bag with the top loosely rolled up inside the refrigerator. You can also store them in plastic bags lined with paper towels to help capture moisture, but be sure to change the towels regularly.
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Frequently asked questions
Fresh mushrooms can last for about a week in your fridge. However, if they have been sitting at the grocery store for several days, they may go bad within a few days.
Fresh mushrooms should look dry, crisp, and fresh. If they look wet, have developed a slimy film, or feel sticky, they have gone bad. Mushrooms should also be firm and smooth. If they are soft, mushy, shrivelled, or wrinkled, they are too far gone.
If your mushrooms have a strong smell, they have likely gone bad. Fresh mushrooms have a subtle, light scent that is often sweet and earthy. If your mushrooms smell sour or fishy, it's time to toss them.
Fresh mushrooms should be stored in a way that allows them some air without drying them out. Keeping them in a paper bag with the top loosely rolled up inside the refrigerator is a popular storage method. You can also store them in plastic bags lined with paper towels to help capture moisture, but make sure to change the towels regularly.
Cooked mushrooms can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. To preserve them for longer, you can freeze them for 9-12 months. Before freezing, sauté or steam them, and let them cool completely.
