No one will dispute the benefits and nutritional value of oyster mushrooms for the human body. These mushrooms contain a large amount of amino acids, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins B, C, E. They can remove heavy metal salts, as well as radionuclides, from the intestines.
Oyster mushrooms are considered one of the most popular mushrooms. Quite varied and healthy dishes are prepared from them. Our grandmothers also successfully used processes that made delicious mushroom preparations. If we talk about oyster mushrooms, they were dried, boiled, stewed, fried, fermented and pickled for the winter. Today, similar procedures are also widely used among most Russian families. In addition, freezing has recently become a popular option for preparing mushrooms. And the age of high technology makes it possible to prepare mushrooms for future use, while preserving their freshness and aroma.
Oyster mushrooms can not only be collected in the forest, but also simply bought in a store at an affordable price. In addition, these fruiting bodies are considered not only a delicious product, but also a dietary one. It must be admitted that the taste of oyster mushrooms differs from other mushrooms and is very similar to the taste of chicken meat.
Rules for storing oyster mushrooms at home
To preserve all the nutrients and vitamins, you need to know how to store oyster mushrooms at home. However, before doing this, you should remember a few simple rules.
If mushrooms are collected in the forest, don’t worry, oyster mushrooms do not have poisonous counterparts. If you buy mushrooms, then pay attention to the legs and caps. They should not have yellow spots, rot or dry parts. Oyster mushrooms should have the smell of fresh mushrooms, without mustiness. How to store oyster mushrooms at room temperature and how much time is allowed for this process? Please note that fresh mushrooms can be stored in the room for no more than 24 hours. After this time, it is better to immediately process them and start cooking.
There are several ways to store oyster mushrooms for the winter. Your choice will depend on how you intend to use the prepared workpiece in the future. Let's look at how to store oyster mushrooms for the winter, so that you can later enjoy their aroma and taste, and also surprise your guests with mushroom dishes.
Harvesting
Fruiting bodies begin to appear approximately 7-10 days after the start of active mycelial growth. The growth of fruiting bodies to the desired size lasts about 5 days.
Thus, you can collect the first harvest a month after the formation of a bag with mycelium and substrate.
The collection must be carried out carefully, cutting off the mushrooms at the very base. To reduce damage to the mycelium, cutting should be done with a sharp knife.
Since oyster mushrooms grow in a dense group, you need to cut off this entire group at once. In this form, the mushrooms are not only easier to separate, but also kept fresh longer.
The frequency of harvesting from each bag is 20-30 days. Gradually, the nutritional properties of the substrate are depleted, and the yield decreases. Now you need to create a nutrient medium for the mushrooms again. At the same time, the expired substrate can be used in the garden as an excellent fertilizer.
The temperature in the bags will gradually increase. It must not exceed 30°C. To control the microclimate, install a regular household fan in the room.
Protect your basement from flies and other pests. They can infect the mycelium, which will lead to its death. To do this, you can use a mosquito net or similar devices.
3 days after planting the mycelium, artificial lighting should be turned on. Mushrooms need high humidity - about 95%. To achieve this indicator, regularly spray the walls, floor and ceiling with water. The bags themselves should not be wetted.
You should harvest when the mushrooms reach the size you need. During the collection process, it is better to unscrew them rather than cut them off. This will prevent infection from the knife. After collecting the first harvest, continue to maintain a favorable microclimate. After a couple of weeks, the mushroom blocks will begin to bear fruit again.
If all conditions for growing oyster mushrooms in bags are met, significant yields of these mushrooms can be obtained. The mycelium laying alone usually provides three waves of fruiting. At the same time, the first one is the most productive. The second time, fewer mushrooms will grow (about 70% of the first harvest). The third fruiting is usually very scanty.
The grown oyster mushrooms should be removed from the bags at the same time. After the third wave, the bags with the substrate will need to be changed if you want to continue to grow mushrooms. It is the purchase of all the necessary components to create a nutritional mass that in most cases forms the basis of the expenses of people dealing with oyster mushrooms.
In the forest, mushrooms are known to be cut with a knife. When growing oyster mushrooms at home, a different harvesting technique is usually used. The remains of the legs, when cut in blocks, will begin to mold and contaminate the substrate with mycelium. And this, of course, will negatively affect subsequent harvests.
The technology for picking oyster mushrooms grown at home looks like this:
- a mushroom or a group of mushrooms is taken with your fingers by the stems from below;
- grab the fruit with the palm of your hand and twist it out of the block along with a small part of the straw;
- pull the mushrooms towards themselves;
- cut off part of the legs along with the straw;
- the resulting nest is covered with straw.
Oyster mushrooms should be stored and transported with the utmost care. These mushrooms, unfortunately, are fragile.
It is impossible to give exact recommendations regarding the size of caps and removed oyster mushrooms. It all depends on the particular variety being grown. Regular oyster mushrooms are most often cut when the cap diameter is 4-7 cm. Royal ones grow somewhat larger.
Interest in growing mushrooms at home is constantly spurred by the development of biotechnology. Now, in order to grow your own mushrooms, you don’t have to drag rotten trunks of dead trees. Scientists offer people more accessible and effective methods.
Storage conditions for oyster mushrooms: how to store fresh mushrooms in the refrigerator
It is worth saying that the storage conditions for oyster mushrooms largely depend on how correctly you handled the preliminary cleaning. Although experienced mushroom pickers know how to clean oyster mushrooms and prepare them for further processes, most still make mistakes. One of them is that after soaking, the mushrooms become watery and lose their beneficial properties. Therefore, if you want to increase the shelf life of oyster mushrooms at home, do not soak the mushrooms, but simply rinse them under running water.
If you plan to leave the fruiting bodies in their original form, then it will be interesting for you to learn how to store oyster mushrooms in the refrigerator. To do this, fresh mushrooms are wrapped in paper or placed in plastic food containers. It is necessary to strictly monitor the sealing of the packaging and increase the humidity in the refrigerator. Place a damp paper towel on the shelves and place your packages of mushrooms on top. As you know, fresh oyster mushrooms can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than 5 days. At a temperature of + 2°C, the shelf life is only 4 days. Oyster mushrooms, packed in parchment paper or plastic containers, can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks at a temperature of -2°C.
Storing oyster mushrooms at home involves the following methods: storing fresh, boiled, fried, pickled, dried and salted. The main thing is to comply with the technical conditions for storing mushrooms. You just need to correctly select the fruiting bodies, carry out preliminary cleaning and then begin the harvesting process itself.
For example, pickling is considered the most popular preparation method. For this process, vinegar, salt, sugar and a set of spices are used to suit your taste. Storing pickled oyster mushrooms in the refrigerator or basement lasts from 3 to 10 months.
Farming
Oyster mushrooms, like many other types of mushrooms, are considered a perishable product. Many people don’t particularly bother with such products, buying mushrooms in strictly required quantities. Most often, the question of how to store oyster mushrooms worries people who grow them, receiving significant volumes of raw materials.
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The most popular way would be to store the collected products on the shelves of the refrigerator, and the mushrooms will need to be wrapped in paper or placed in plastic trays. When using paper packaging, you need to ensure that such containers are sealed. You can extend the shelf life by creating a favorable environment - high humidity. These conditions can be achieved by placing a damp paper towel in the refrigerator.
One of the most common methods of storing oyster mushrooms is drying the mushrooms, as well as heat treatment followed by freezing in the freezer. An equally popular method is pickling oyster mushrooms. Products prepared in this way are ready for human consumption. When using pickling, you need to boil water, add the required amount of spices according to the recipe, and only then add the washed, finely chopped mushrooms. Oyster mushrooms are boiled for half an hour, then they are placed in pre-sterilized jars. The containers are rolled up with metal lids and left indoors for further cooling.
Some mushroom pickers use pickling oyster mushrooms. In this case, the caps of the mushrooms are cut off and the raw materials are washed. Place a layer of salt on the bottom of the selected container, then a layer of mushrooms and again salt, alternating rows. To improve the taste, you can add an oak or cherry leaf. When the pan or barrel is completely filled, place a weight in the upper part. In this state, oyster mushrooms are stored for 5 days, then they are moved to the refrigerator. It should be noted that the mushrooms will be ready to eat only a month after the start of pickling.
Another way to extend the shelf life of collected products is to make mushroom powder, which is considered a good seasoning for many dishes. To prepare the powder, the mushrooms are cleared of debris, washed in several waters, and dried. Now you need to grind the raw materials by passing them through a meat grinder several times, beating them with a blender or using a coffee grinder. Such mushrooms are stored in an airtight container, which is placed in a dark room with a low temperature. Before eating, the powder is mixed with warm water.
How to store boiled oyster mushrooms in the freezer
Although mushrooms are a perishable product, when frozen they perfectly retain all their taste. How to store oyster mushrooms in the freezer, fresh and boiled? Fresh mushrooms can be stored in the freezer for up to 5 months.
And if we talk about boiled oyster mushrooms - how to store them in the freezer and what temperature should be set? If you boil the mushrooms in salted water for about 15 minutes, the shelf life increases to 6-7 months. It’s better to cut the oyster mushrooms, then boil them, drain the water well and even squeeze them a little. This will help avoid pieces of ice in the mushrooms and not spoil the dish that you later prepare from them.
Storing fresh oyster mushrooms in the freezer
To increase the shelf life of fresh oyster mushrooms in the freezer, it is better not to wash the mushrooms before freezing so that they do not gain water. It is better to dry clean the mushrooms and cut off the stems.
It is important to know: no matter how you freeze oyster mushrooms, they must be clean, fresh and not deformed. After all, the appearance of the product after defrosting will depend on this. It must be said that in this case, young specimens are considered ideal mushrooms for storage.
Mushrooms should be cleaned by dry cleaning, without using water - wipe with a dry cloth and cut off most of the stem, since it is not eaten. Spread in a thin layer and then place in the freezer for several hours. Next, put the frozen mushrooms in containers or plastic bags, and then put them back in the freezer.
You need to calculate the amount of oyster mushrooms in the container so that it is enough to prepare one dish or several servings. It is best to store up to 1 kg of mushrooms in one bag or container. The temperature in the freezer should be no less than 18°C, then your frozen mushrooms can last for 10-12 months. However, it is important to remember that oyster mushrooms do not tolerate re-freezing, so never put them back in the freezer after defrosting.
Rules for choosing oyster mushrooms for freezing
Many housewives make the mistake of putting fresh oyster mushrooms in the freezer immediately after purchasing. First, they must be carefully inspected and defects found.
Yellow spots on the cap are a clear sign that they are unsuitable. They will taste bad after cooking. Cracks on the caps indicate that oyster mushrooms are not fresh.
It is advisable to pay attention to the aroma - this is one of the main indicators of quality. A sharp unpleasant odor is a sign of unsuitability for freezing and eating.
The legs of fresh oyster mushrooms do not contain any beneficial substances. When cooked they turn out tough and tasteless. It is not recommended to buy mushrooms with stems. It is necessary to carefully evaluate how well they were cut. When collecting independently in the forest, it is also necessary to remove the legs.
The taste and quality of oyster mushrooms depend on their age. It can be determined by the size of the cap. Young mushrooms are healthier for people and contain vitamins. In addition, they are soft and juicy, unlike the old ones - fresh and hard after cooking. Old ones cannot be frozen.
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Oyster mushrooms are considered a delicacy and a very healthy product. They are able to absorb radionuclides and salts of heavy metals, after which they help remove them from the body.
Freezing for winter storage of fried oyster mushrooms
Fried oyster mushrooms are also suitable for winter storage. The method of freezing them is very simple, only before this process the mushrooms must first be fried.
To do this, heat vegetable oil in a frying pan and add mushrooms cut into pieces. Fry until all the liquid has evaporated, for 20-25 minutes. It is better not to add any spices or salt; you will do this when preparing the dish. Then, after cooling completely, the oyster mushrooms are placed in portions into bags and frozen. This product can be stored in the freezer for up to 3-4 months at a constant temperature.
It is worth noting that sometimes you can use an oven instead of a frying pan. At the same time, the mushrooms retain their sweetish taste and aroma. To do this, bake the mushrooms on a baking sheet in the oven for 15-20 minutes, let them cool and also place them in plastic containers or plastic bags. Then, after defrosting, this preparation can be added to fried potatoes or salads.
Mushrooms can be stewed in sour cream and then stored in the refrigerator. But here the shelf life is only 7 days. This preparation is not suitable for freezing in the freezer: all the liquid turns into ice.
How else to store oyster mushrooms for the winter?
How else to store oyster mushrooms at home? You can salt, pickle and ferment oyster mushrooms for the winter. These methods allow the preparations to be stored in the refrigerator for several months. Ingredients such as salt and vinegar increase shelf life significantly.
Another way to preserve oyster mushrooms for the winter is by drying. Fresh mushrooms are dry cleaned and one specimen at a time is strung on a wire or thick thread. After which they hang in a dry, warm place for 10-12 hours. If you see that the mushrooms break well, then the drying process can be considered complete. Such fruiting bodies should be stored in glass jars or paper bags.
Intensive growing method
The most popular intensive method of growing mushrooms at home is described above. It does not require large spaces, and most importantly, it allows you to harvest all year round.
The extensive method is simpler, but it is limited to the warm season, since it is carried out mainly in the open air. In order to get a large harvest, you need to use large areas.
To grow mushrooms extensively, it is better to use freshly cut trees. Because they contain a lot of moisture. If you have to use dried soil, then before sowing mushrooms it must be saturated with moisture, soaking it in water for at least seven days. Only after this will the oyster mushroom mycelium be able to spread throughout the wood.
The tree needs to be cut into logs 30-40 cm long. It is best to use trunks with a diameter of at least 30 cm. On thin trunks, the yield will be low. On logs that are too thick, the mycelium will take a long time to grow.
Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. The intensive method requires more labor and the presence of closed, spacious rooms. The advantage of the extensive method is that there is no need to tinker with the substrate - once prepared, the logs can serve as a source of healthy and tasty product for a long time.
This will require a separate room, ideally a basement. The temperature should be maintained at 15°C. It is also necessary to ensure high-quality ventilation of the room. Additional artificial lighting will be required during the ripening process.
Oyster mushrooms are grown intensively in bags. They are loaded with a substrate consisting of straw, buckwheat husks or sunflower seeds, or corn cobs.
Before loading into bags, the substrate must be heat treated by boiling for about an hour. Then you need to leave the material in hot water under pressure for several hours.
