4 Right Ways to Store Lion’s Mane Mushroom Before Eating

2K

I love lion’s mane mushrooms for their earthy flavor, texture, and health benefits!

Yes, it has become an essential part of my food life. Recently, I’ve been thinking about preserving them for a longer period of time. But, how?

In the process of learning, I’ve found 5 ways to store lion’s mane mushrooms based on my kitchen setup.

I tried a few of these techniques, like refrigeration, freezing, drying, and pickling, with special care and found my mushrooms fresh and tasty!

Besides, a few tricks and cleaning tips work best when storing mushrooms.

Well, I’m very excited to share all these proper storage techniques and the whole process with you.

Want to learn? Let’s get started:

Which Factors Influence the Shelf-Life of Lion’s Mane Mushrooms?

To preserve the biological efficiency and increase the shelf life of the lion’s mane mushroom, there are a few factors to take into consideration. They are as follows:

Temperature and Humidity Control

Mushrooms react to temperature and different humidity conditions within a short time.

If the temperature is high, then set it to the lowest point.

Most of the time, our room temperature is good to keep mushrooms in good condition. 

On the other hand, to prolong shelf-life, refrigeration is a better solution if you keep it in a moisture-proof container. For example, you can keep it at 30 to 50 percent humidity to prevent mold growth or maintain effectiveness.

Light Exposure

A crucial factor that helps to keep the shelf life of Lion’s Mane mushrooms sustainable. Try to keep it in a cool and dark environment.

Also, keep them away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Otherwise, it can degrade the quality of your mushrooms.

Airflow and Its Impact

Try to use a vacuum-sealed bag for Lion’s Mane Mushroom. Do you know why?

It can reduce oxygen levels and minimize exposure to air. Additionally, it prevents the mushroom from spoiling.

Besides, mushrooms are sensitive to the way they are stored. Hence, using an airtight container can solve the issues instantly.

Freshness & Quality

The quality of the lion’s mane mushroom also improves its shelf life. Fresh mushrooms retain more moisture and have a higher water content.

Additionally, it offers essential nutrients as well. But if it is not fresh and you want to store it, then you might not get enough benefits from it. Besides, there are expiration dates, so it’s better not to depend on them that much.

On the other hand, you don’t need to store much of it in one place or at a time. Just store what you want to eat in the future. Otherwise, it becomes a matter of worry to properly store them without spoiling them.

How to Prepare Your Mushroom Before Storage?

Before you store Lion’s Mane mushrooms, you might need to focus on a few things. Yes, a little preparation before storage can greatly enhance its texture and natural taste.

Here is what you need to do:

Cleaning the Mushrooms Properly

With a few easy cleaning tasks, you can keep your mushrooms better than ever. Let’s see what we can do about it.

• Take a damp paper towel or soft-bristled brush. Handle them gently to avoid any damage at the time of rubbing. Remove dirt or debris from the surface of the mushroom.
• Rinse the cleaned mushroom quickly under cold running water. It helps to avoid absorbing moisture.
• Trim dry, discolored, tough, or damaged parts of mushroom steam.

Drying Techniques to Prevent Moisture

In two ways, you can prevent moisture from mushrooms. The first option is using a dehydrator, and the second is using the air-dry method.

So, if you want to use air only, then put mushrooms in an open container or mesh colander. Let them get good airflow. It will take approximately 7 days to dry completely.

But, using a dehydrator is a tricky task. Here is a step-by-step guide for you:

• Clean the mushroom perfectly. Remove all the dirt and debris from it.
• Take a sharp knife, slice the mushrooms to make them slimy, and dry them quickly.
• Preheat it using a dehydrator. Plus, keep the temperature between 115-125°F.
• Place mushroom pieces in a single-layer format. Keep space between every piece.
• Now dehydrate all these pieces using a dehydrator. It will take approximately 4 to 6 hours, depending on the thickness of the mushroom slices.
• Check the dryness and ensure all of the slices are fully dehydrated.
• Let it cool and store the Lion’s Mane mushroom slices properly.

4 Ways to Store Lion’s Mane Mushroom

Nowadays, mushrooms are crucial for many dishes. That’s why it’s important to store them properly.

And if you want to make sure you are eating well-preserved mushrooms, then pick the proper storage method. It will not only extend the shelf life of mushrooms but also help to maintain their freshness.

The most common and effective storage method is explained below:

Method 1. Refrigeration

Refrigeration is the most preferable method to store mushrooms because it easily keeps them fresh for a long time. Through the following steps, you can do it:

• Wrap the paper towel with lion’s mane mushrooms and let it absorb excess moisture.
• Place mushrooms in a container (breathable). Try a paper bag to prevent mold growth.
• Now store it in the refrigerator. Keep the temperature between 32°F (0°C) and 40°F (4°C).
• Monitor and check the mushroom once a week for any signs of mold growth or odor.

Method 2. Freezing Mushrooms

To prolong the shelf-life of mushrooms and keep them fresh for future use, freezing is a fantastic way to store them.

You need to do a few things to freeze mushrooms, and here they are:

• Clean (dirt and debris) the mushroom and trim its stem if necessary.
• Slice the mushroom into smaller pieces using a sharp knife.
• To kill harmful bacteria and retain the texture, blanch the mushrooms. For that, boil and submerge the mushrooms. Take off the mushrooms within 2 to 3 minutes, then cool them instantly.
• Dry the mushroom using a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
• Based on your feature use and recipes, divide all these pieces of mushroom into portions.
• Take an airtight container or freezer bag and place the mushrooms in it.
• Label the container with the date of freezing to ensure priority-based use.
• Lastly, take the containers and store them in your fridge. Keep the optimal temperature at 0°F (-18°C).

Method 3. Drying

For the versatile use of mushrooms, the drying method is an excellent choice. Here are the steps you need to follow:

• Remove dirt and debris and clean the mushroom.
• Trim the stem and slice the mushroom into slices for better drying.
• Remove excess moisture using a paper towel.
• Dry the mushrooms using a food dehydrator. Keep the temperature around 110°F (43°C), and it will take around 6 to 8 hours.
• You can use an oven to dry mushrooms. In this case, set the temperature around 140°F (60°C), and it will take around 4 to 6 hours to dry.
• Ensure the mushroom is fully dried. You can also dry it a little longer for your satisfaction.
• Now cool the dried mushrooms and place them in an airtight container.

Method 4. Pickling

Lastly, you can store mushrooms using an ancient preservation method called pickling. Besides extending the mushroom’s life, this method helps to add a flavorful twist as well.

To do it, you need to gather a few essential ingredients, such as white vinegar or apple cider vinegar, water, salt, sugar (optional for a sweeter brine),  and spices (e.g., garlic, dill, peppercorns, and mustard seeds).

If you’ve gathered all the above-mentioned ingredients, then follow these simple steps as suggested:

• First, you need to sterilize the jar to prevent contamination. For that, put both the jar and lid in boiling water.
• Take an equal portion of water and vinegar and mix them.
• Mix the salt and sugar to taste and dissolve completely to a boil.
• Pick your favorite spice (garlic, dill, and peppercorns) and add it to the jar for traditional flavor.
• Now boil the mushrooms in hot water for 2 minutes to increase their absorbing ability.
• Place the boiled mushroom in the sterilized jar.
• Pour the brine over the mushrooms. Ensure it is fully submerged.
• Now seal the jar and store it at a dark, and cool temperature.

Pro tips:
Store them at least 1 week before consumption to get their flavor and nutritional benefits.

How to Clean Your Mushroom Properly Before Storing?

Preserving the mushroom without proper cleaning means minimizing its shelf-life and allowing it to grow mold, odor, and discoloration as fast as possible.

Hence, as always, cleaning is the first task you need to do carefully before preserving it. Let’s see how to do it:

• Step 1: Remove all the dirt and debris from the surface of the mushroom. For a better result, twist out the stems or remove them using a knife.
• Step 2: Now, hold the mushroom under running water. In this way, all the visible dirt and grime will be wiped out. Additionally, use a soft mushroom brush to do it.
• Step 3: Take a clean kitchen towel or a paper towel. Place the mushroom on it. And it will catch all the dripping water.
• Step 5: Take a paper towel and remove moisture from the mushroom.
• Step 6: As an extra precaution, do another step of cleaning by rubbing the mushroom. It will remove grime from between the stem and cap.
• Step 7: To preserve the mushroom flavor for salads, and vegetables, dip them in a little lemon juice.

Tips to Extend The Shelf Life

The shelf life of your mushroom indicates its overall quality. But how do we increase that?

Well, it totally depends on its current state and how you are going to take care of it. Here are some valuable hacks to extend the shelf life:

• Avoid using a brush or rough handling at the time of cleaning the mushroom. Otherwise, it can damage the mushroom surface.
• Always store mushrooms in a breathable container. It will help to minimize the risk of building mold or moisture.
• Washing mushrooms continuously to prepare the recipe is a bad thing. Try to ignore such habits.
• Store mushrooms separately, especially not in places where other foods can release natural gases like ethylene. It can spoil mushrooms rapidly.
• Some foods can release a strong smell. Mushrooms easily absorb odors. So, store them away from such food.
• Always check your stored mushrooms and look for spoilage, like mold, discoloration, or a foul odor. If you find any signs, then separate the mushroom.
• Choose the best preservation techniques, like freezing, drying, or pickling, to extend the shelf life of mushrooms.

The Final Cut

Preservation skills always play a vital role in keeping mushrooms as fresh and flavored as they once were.

Besides, the best part is that all the techniques are in your hands. You just need to concentrate on its cleaning techniques and the way you want to store it.

That’s all. All of them are very practical solutions, and they give you the freedom to use them when you want your recipe ready!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)