Since oyster mushrooms - like all mushrooms - contain a lot of water, they are sensitive to light, heat and pressure and therefore do not keep for long. Proper storage in the refrigerator, as well as preservation methods such as drying and freezing, can significantly improve shelf life.

Oyster mushrooms can be preserved well by drying

Shelf life of fresh oyster mushrooms in the refrigerator

If you bought the oyster mushrooms in the supermarket, immediately remove the plastic outer packaging when you get home. This prevents the exchange of air and ensures that the mushrooms "sweat" - with the result that mold forms within a very short time. Instead, wrap the mushrooms in a clean, dry cloth and pack them in the crisper of the refrigerator. Do not clean and cut them beforehand, but only do this work directly before preparation. Stored in this way, the tasty mushrooms will keep for up to four days. Outside the refrigerator, on the other hand, you should use oyster mushrooms within a day.

Make oyster mushrooms last longer by freezing

However, oyster mushrooms can also be frozen very well and can be stored in the freezer (not in the freezer compartment of the refrigerator!) at temperatures of at least minus 18 °C for up to six months. This is the best way to freeze edible mushrooms:

  • Clean the oyster mushrooms carefully using a brush and a paper kitchen towel.
  • Do not wash the mushrooms, not even just under running water!
  • Cut out pressure and other damaged areas.
  • Cut the mushrooms into bite-sized pieces.
  • Do not blanch oyster mushrooms before freezing!
  • Flash freeze raw, prepared oyster mushrooms in the pre-chilled freezer.

Dried oyster mushrooms have a particularly long shelf life

Dried oyster mushrooms, on the other hand, can be kept for at least a year and, in contrast to fresh or frozen mushrooms, even gain in flavor. It is best to dry the mushrooms in a dehydrator, but a commercial oven is also very suitable.

  • Clean the oyster mushrooms and cut into thin slices.
  • Do not wash mushrooms intended for drying, not even briefly!
  • Preheat the oven to 50 to a maximum of 70 °C.
  • Lay the mushrooms loosely on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  • Put the sheet in the oven.
  • Stick a wooden spoon or something similar between the door and the oven to leave a small gap.
  • Dry mushrooms for several hours.

tips

Before packing the dried mushrooms, make sure that they actually contain absolutely no moisture. Otherwise they will mold very quickly and can no longer be used.

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Vegetable garden