Why You Should Stop Buying Packaged Mushrooms
We all store fruits and vegetables for freshness in different ways. Keep in mind that mushrooms are not a fruit or vegetable, they are a unique type of fungi with high nutrient value. Medicinal, functional, but culinary mushrooms also require storage to be optimal or you may end up with packaged mushrooms that are slimy and smelly.
Different Shapes, Sizes, and Colors
There are typically several varieties of mushrooms in the grocery store including but not limited to shiitake mushrooms, common in Asian dishes and soups. Portobello mushrooms are larger and wider with big caps and are darker brown in color. Then, there are the white button mushrooms or cremini mushrooms which are very common in many American dishes.
Many other culinary mushrooms include Button, Shiitake, Maitake, Enoki, Cremini, Porcini, Portobello, Oyster, Morels, Truffles, Chanterelles, Brown Beach, and Black Trumpets. There are literally thousands of species and many of which are toxic to consume. So never go hunting in nature and eat one without knowing which mushroom species it is.
The Way Your Mushrooms Are Stored Matters
While shopping for these fungi most people believe the shrink-wrapped mushrooms are safe and sanitary, but this is actually not necessarily true. Buying pre-packaged mushrooms doesn’t give you the opportunity to examine them closely. You want to be able to feel the firmness and check for any impurities, like greasiness or sliminess, and even musty smells. Only buying mushrooms from open bins in bulk can achieve this. You also tend to get a better price point buying from bins.
Ditch The Packaged Mushrooms And Preserve Your Quality
One other advantage of buying from open bins is that too much moisture or condensation will not be able to form, which tends to degrade the mushroom faster. This is similar to storing them in plastic bags which you never want to do. Mushrooms are not fruit or veggies, and they are composed of 90% water and have no protective skin like fruits. The skin in fruits helps prevent the evaporation of moisture. So ultimately pre-packaged mushrooms have a higher risk of going bad due to the moisture in the contained area. On your next trip to the produce department, consider grabbing a handful of mushrooms from the bulk section so they’ll stay a little longer in your fridge.
VIEW MEDICINAL MUSHROOM STUDY LINKS HERE
