Content
Preserving oyster mushrooms at home without losing their taste and nutritional qualities can be extremely important. Mushrooms are a perishable product that requires timely processing and a certain storage regime. The conditions for placing the preparations must ensure that the taste, consistency and safety remain unchanged during further use.
How to preserve oyster mushrooms
The choice of method depends on the planned period of use or processing, conditions and personal taste preferences. Fresh mushrooms can be stored indoors at a temperature of 17 to 22 degrees for no more than a day. Therefore, you must immediately begin preparing the product or placing it in a suitable environment to preserve its properties.
You can store oyster mushrooms at home in the following ways:
- cooling;
- freezing;
- drying;
- pickling;
- salting;
- boiling
Particular importance for any procurement option is given to the preparatory stage, which should begin with inspection and sorting. The main signs of quality are fresh appearance and smell.
After selection, the bunch must be divided into shares, cleaned, rinsed with water and placed on a clean towel to dry.
It is convenient to wash and dry fruit clusters (druze) in a colander
At the end of the preparatory stage, the mushrooms must be processed using the chosen method or stored.
To extend the shelf life of the product, it can be frozen. Freezing allows you to preserve the beneficial qualities of the fruit for up to six months. Oyster mushrooms pre-boiled in salted water can be stored in the freezer for 60 to 90 days longer. The temperature should be maintained at a stable level of -18 degrees. Secondary freezing is not allowed
Fresh cooling, as a way to preserve oyster mushrooms, is used for a short period not exceeding 5 days. They quickly become unusable.
It is customary to store fresh product in the refrigerator until further preparation. The shelf life of heat-treated products is also extended by cooling.
How to store oyster mushrooms in the refrigerator
Cool, moist air is the optimal environment for preserving oyster mushrooms. The temperature in the refrigerator usually ranges from +2 to +10 degrees and is considered suitable. Additional humidity, compliance with packaging requirements and rules for placing mushrooms can extend the period of possible consumption. To prevent foreign odors from appearing, the container must be hermetically sealed.
How to store fresh oyster mushrooms in the refrigerator
To store oyster mushrooms in the refrigerator, you need to skillfully prepare them, pack them and place them in the chamber.
The collected samples must be cleaned. No special techniques are required for this. The fruits are rarely contaminated due to the fact that they grow on trees. The cleaned shares are washed under a shower or running water, excess moisture is allowed to drain and dry naturally on a clean surface.
Prepared oyster mushrooms must be packed in a suitable container, which must be clean and dry. Mushrooms should be placed freely and so that the stacking height does not exceed 25 cm. This will prevent the appearance of mold and mustiness. It is better to store fruits in small portions.
The following can be used as packaging for storage in the refrigerator:
- Plastic container;
- plastic bag;
- food tray and cling film;
- parchment paper.
Hermetically sealed plastic containers are the best option. The oyster mushrooms are carefully placed, the container is closed and placed on the shelf of the refrigerator.
A thick plastic bag is also suitable for storage. It is preferable to purchase a securely closing zip bag. With this packaging method, the fruits are not placed tightly, in one layer. The air must be released as much as possible, and the bag must be sealed with a zip fastener. To seal a regular bag tightly, you need to tie it at the edges.
You can store oyster mushrooms in the refrigerator on a disposable tray. Peeled, washed, dried fruit bodies are placed loosely on a substrate and tightly wrapped in cling film. Wrapping protects the product from foreign odors and prevents drying out.
It is convenient to store fresh oyster mushrooms in the refrigerator on a disposable tray
To preserve the original appearance and freshness of oyster mushrooms as much as possible, it is recommended to wrap each fruit in paper. The pre-prepared shares are wrapped in paper and placed in a container that is tightly closed. If the container's tightness is insufficient or questionable, you can additionally use cling film.
How to store heat-treated oyster mushrooms in the refrigerator
After heat treatment, oyster mushrooms are placed in sterilized glass jars, sealed hermetically, without access to air. To ensure a vacuum, they are rolled up or screwed with metal lids.
Glass containers with tight-fitting glass lids with a built-in metal clip are suitable for storing workpieces.
The jars are placed in the refrigerator. The temperature should be kept in the range from 0 to +8 degrees.
How long do oyster mushrooms last in the refrigerator?
The shelf life of oyster mushrooms is determined by the type of processing and temperature conditions of the refrigeration chamber.
Fresh mushrooms can be stored at temperatures from +4 to +8 degrees for no more than 3 days, after which they must be eaten or sent for further processing. At a temperature of +2 degrees, they can be stored for up to 5 days, provided they are carefully prepared, sorted and properly packaged.
When the temperature drops to -2 degrees, fresh oyster mushrooms can be stored for 3 weeks. But in ordinary conditions, when other products are stored in the refrigerator, this mode is not set. The conditions are more applicable to the wholesale storage of mushrooms using a separate chamber.
You can store oyster mushrooms that have been previously heat-treated in the refrigerator for longer. The shelf life of pickled mushrooms is 6 – 12 months, depending on the preparation. Boiling in a marinade increases the shelf life of preparations compared to the method of pouring marinade over boiled parts.
Conclusion
If it is not possible to quickly process mushrooms after harvesting or purchasing, you can store oyster mushrooms in the refrigerator. To ensure that mushrooms do not lose their taste, aroma and valuable qualities during this period, it is necessary to properly prepare them for storage and approach packaging responsibly. Following simple rules will allow you to enjoy a healthy product even at a later time.
