Not many people know how to store shiitake so that it remains in good condition for a long time. If you decide to stock up on shiitake mushrooms for future use, you need to know not only how to keep shiitake mushrooms but also the recommendations for harvesting.
How do I store shiitake mushrooms? Dried shiitake mushrooms must be stored in a dry, protected from light and hermetically sealed glass container or a resealable bag to absorb as little moisture as possible from the air. Fresh shiitake mushrooms should be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Ultimate Guide on How to Store Shiitake Mushrooms
How do you store shiitake mushrooms in the fridge? Shiitake mushrooms can be stored in the fridge at a temperature of 2-3°C for 4 days. Put shiitake mushrooms in paper bags or cloth, without washing, in the vegetable box. Do not put shiitake in plastic bags and do not wash them as it will speed up the process of deterioration.
Fresh shiitake mushrooms need to be cleaned of particles of soil, needles, sand, but they should not be thoroughly washed or soaked since the pulp absorbs water. It is best to put the mushrooms in a container of saltwater to get rid of the larvae and insects that sometimes crawl into the plates of the cap, mix them and put them on a paper towel.
Then you need to carefully examine the mushrooms, and if there are damaged areas or brown spots, carefully cut them off with a knife. Then put the dried mushrooms in a paper bag or bowl, cover with a napkin and refrigerate.
It is not recommended to store fresh mushrooms in a plastic bag, as mold begins to form there without air. The optimum storage temperature for shiitake mushrooms is between 0 and 4 degrees. The best storage utensils can be enameled or glass. Store them without a lid and cover them with a napkin.
Do not put more than 500 grams of shiitake mushrooms in one paper bag; otherwise, they will start to deteriorate faster. Simply divide the mushrooms into several bags and store them in the covered vegetable compartment. This will keep the shiitake fresh for a week.
How long do shiitake mushrooms last in the fridge? Shiitake mushrooms will last for 10-14 days in the fridge at a temperature of 0—+4°C if they are put in the paper bag or wrapped in a cloth without washing or peeling. If you wash and cut shiitake or store them in a plastic bag, they will last only for 3-5 days.
- Cover shiitake mushrooms with natural fabrics, paper towels or foil with holes to allow air to circulate in the container.
- Before sending shiitake mushrooms to the refrigerator, carefully inspect the mushrooms and remove spoiled ones immediately. If you do not do this, all other mushrooms will begin to rot.
- Do not rinse shiitake mushrooms for too long. The fact is that mushrooms do not particularly like moisture and, due to their high content, will quickly begin to rot. Shiitake mushrooms should be stored dry. You can wash them before cooking. If the mushrooms still need to be rinsed before storing, do it quickly and immediately wipe with a dry towel.
- Shiitake mushrooms do not require any special processing. Simply remove the foil from the caps, cut off the ends of the legs, and cut out the spots where the spots start to appear.
If you are planning to keep shiitake mushrooms for winter or any other season, you can:
- Dry shiitake in the sun and leave in a dry, ventilated area. Dried shiitake mushroom will last for 12 months.
- Freeze shiitake mushrooms. Frozen shiitake mushrooms will last for 5-6 months.
- Pickle shiitake mushrooms.
Storing Shiitake Mushrooms in the Freezer
- Frozen shiitake mushrooms can be stored in a freezer at a temperature of -18°C for up to 6 months if the mushrooms have not been heat-treated before.
- Pre-fried or boiled shiitake mushrooms can be stored in the freezer for no more than 8 months.
- Frozen mushrooms must not be thawed or re-frozen.
- In order not to violate the shelf life of frozen mushrooms, a sticker with the date of placing the product in the freezer should be glued to each package.
- You can freeze fresh mushrooms whole or cut them into portions.
How do you make shiitake mushrooms last longer? To make shiitake mushrooms last longer, freeze them. Before freezing, lightly fry the mushrooms for 2-3 minutes, until tender. Remove skillet from heat and let cool completely. Place the mushrooms in a plastic container and cover them with a napkin. Put in the freezer when shiitake cools down.
Do not forget to tag the container with the date. Frozen shiitake mushrooms can be stored at -18 degrees for up to 6 months. Whenever you want to use them, simply shake the frozen block out of the container and place it in the skillet without first defrosting. Add ½ tablespoon oil and fry until mushrooms are brown.
Can fresh shiitake mushrooms be frozen? Fresh shiitake mushrooms can be frozen and stored in the freezer, either whole mushrooms or large mushrooms cut into pieces. When using frozen mushrooms, place them directly in a preheated skillet (no need to defrost), and let the excess liquid evaporate at a low temperature.
When freezing shiitake, make sure the containers are full. The less air is left in the container, the better the food will be stored in it. The same rule applies to plastic bags: squeeze the air out of them to the maximum, then put them in the freezer. Do not re-freeze shiitake mushrooms, and try not to cook too much because ready-made mushrooms are stored for no more than a day.
How long can fresh shiitake mushrooms be stored? Fresh shiitake mushrooms, properly prepared for storage in the refrigerator, can be there for no more than three days. Vacuum-sealed shiitake from the shop can be stored until the expiry of the guaranteed shelf life indicated on the label. Fresh shiitake can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months.
