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It doesn't matter whether you collect mushrooms yourself or buy them: Almost every mushroom lover has already been confronted with the quite common phenomenon of white "mould" on fresh mushrooms. Some people prefer to throw such mushrooms away, after all, mold is very dangerous to health. In fact, however, it is usually the harmless fungal mycelium.
White fluff on mushrooms is not mold
White fluff is mycelium
What we commonly refer to as a "mushroom" is basically just the fruiting body of the fungus that actually grows underground, the mycelium. This is a widely branched network of white threads, which runs through the soil or cultivation substrate and is sometimes also noticeable on very ripe fruit bodies. These secrete spores to multiply, from which new mycelium eventually grows. In this respect, your mushrooms with white threads are not bad, but only very ripe - which is why a new mushroom mycelium has already formed. If you wish, you can use these specimens to grow your own mushrooms or simply wipe the mycelium with a kitchen towel. The mushrooms are definitely still edible.
When is it better to throw away mushrooms
However, this only applies as long as the mushrooms infused with the mycelium still look fresh and crunchy and exude a pleasant mushroomy smell. However, you should definitely not use them (dispose of them instead) if you notice the following:
- Mushrooms have a strong or unpleasant smell.
- Mushrooms no longer look fresh, have many dark spots.
- Mushrooms are covered with colored fluff.
- Molds on fungi are usually black, brown, or green.
- Mushrooms have rotten or musty spots.
In these cases - only one of the characteristics mentioned must apply! - it is imperative to throw away the mushrooms, otherwise you risk food poisoning.
Proper storage of fresh mushrooms
To prevent fresh mushrooms from getting moldy, you should (if you bought them) take them out of their packaging (usually plastic boxes) and store them in a cool, dry and dark place. The best place for this is the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator, where the mushrooms, wrapped in a dry and clean kitchen towel, will keep for three to four days. However, fresh mushrooms are best processed on the same day, as they spoil very quickly due to their high water and protein content.
tips
By the way, the white mycelium fluff is typical not only for button mushrooms, but also for oyster mushrooms.