Drying mushrooms: you should pay attention to this

In September and October we can again diligently pick mushrooms. Since fresh forest mushrooms only last a few days, we explain the different variants with which you can dry mushrooms and how you should proceed with the individual methods.

Pick the right mushrooms

In order to be able to preserve mushrooms, you have to clean them first. This works best with a brush or kitchen paper. Mushrooms should not be washed. So that you can dry the mushrooms, it is also important that they are not too wet, because otherwise mold can form.

Cut them (for example with an egg cutter) into slices a maximum of 5 millimeters thick. By the way, chanterelles are not suitable for drying, because they get tough. Instead, it is better to use porcini mushrooms, morels or mushrooms, because they do not lose their aroma.

Air dry mushrooms

For the first variant you thread the mushrooms next to each other on a string or place them on a grid, so that they get air from all sides. You shouldn't touch each other while doing this. The mushrooms should dry in the shade in dry weather, because Their vitamins are quickly lost in direct sunlight. It's best to put them indoors overnight so that they don't absorb moisture from the air.

Mushrooms dry in the oven

If you want to dry the mushrooms in the oven, place them next to each other on a grid with baking paper so that air can also get to them from below. Then dry them at 40 to 50 degrees air circulation for about three hours. Hold the door ajar with a wooden spoon and turn the mushrooms regularly.

Dry the mushrooms with a dehydrator

A dehydrator is the least expensive method for drying mushrooms, but it is only worth purchasing for large quantities. The mushrooms must be in it at 50 degrees about two to four hours to dry. The advantage of the machine is that it distributes the air ideally and that the vitamins and aromatic substances are retained in the mushrooms.

If you seal them airtight after drying and store them in a dark, dry place, dried mushrooms can be kept for several months. You should use them before further processing Place in water or, for example, red wine for half an hour. The dried mushrooms can then be used for sauces, for example, or boiled down in the mushroom pan. Alternatively, you can also freeze mushrooms very well to make them durable. We also give you tips on what to consider when collecting mushrooms and warming up mushrooms.

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