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- Mushrooms stored in brown paper bags can last up to 7 days without big quality loss.
- Plastic bags add more water inside. This makes them spoil up to 60% faster.
- Brown paper bags make the air inside 45% less wet than plastic. This helps keep them firm and fresh.
- Makers' plastic packages work only when closed. Put mushrooms into a different bag after you open them.
- Washing mushrooms before you store them makes them go bad faster. They get slimy.
Understanding How Mushrooms ‘Breathe’
Mushrooms are alive, even after you pick them. They keep breathing. This means they trade gases with the air around them. This breathing matters for how fresh they stay and how long they last. Mushrooms are mostly water, about 90%. So, they react a lot to changes in water and heat. They act like small sponges. They soak up water. And they soak up smells from everything nearby.
If mushrooms don't get enough air, they start to "sweat." The air inside gets too wet. This extra water is a good place for mold and bacteria to grow. It also causes browning. This can turn firm mushrooms into a slimy mess in less than two days. Knowing how to store mushrooms the right way is important. It helps you waste less food. And it means you can use more of your mushrooms. And they will taste better.
The Science of Storage: Why Plastic Falls Short
It makes sense to think that the plastic bags or containers everywhere are the right way to keep mushrooms. But plastic is actually one of the worst things for keeping mushrooms fresh.
Key Problems with Plastic Storage:
- Traps Moisture: Plastic holds water in. Mushrooms let out water. So, a closed plastic bag gets very wet inside.
- Accelerates Decay: The water that gets trapped helps bacteria and mold grow fast. This makes mushrooms go bad faster.
- Affects Texture and Flavor: Staying wet for too long breaks down the mushroom's structure. This makes them limp. And they lose their taste.
📊 Study Highlight: A big study in 2019 by Gormley looked at this. It found that mushrooms in plastic bags were 60% more likely to get mold or bacteria in just 72 hours. This was at fridge temperature (4°C). Mushrooms in bags that let air in did much better (Gormley, 2019).
So, plastic basically makes a wet place in your fridge. And mushrooms are the first to spoil there.
Why Brown Paper Bags Work So Well
Brown paper bags are a great way to store mushrooms. They let air move through. And they soak up water. This mix helps keep mushrooms fresh longer. It also keeps them looking and smelling like they should.
Why They’re Effective:
- Breathable Material: Paper has tiny holes. These let air move. This air carries away the water that mushrooms give off naturally.
- Moisture Absorption: Paper lets air in. But it also soaks up water from the mushroom's surface. This slows down bacteria growth.
- Preservation of Texture & Flavor: Less water inside the bag helps mushrooms stay firm. It keeps them from getting soft. And they keep their taste.
📉 Data Deep-Dive: Thompson-Wood looked at ways to keep food fresh in 2022. His study showed that brown paper bags cut down the wetness inside by up to 45%. This is compared to using regular plastic wrap (Thompson-Wood, 2022). This helps slow how fast mold grows. And it helps them look good.
🍽 Result: Your mushrooms stay firmer. They don't smell bad. You can use them in more ways. And you won't find slimy surprises in your fridge.
Cello-Wrapped Mushrooms: The One Exception
Lots of mushrooms from the store come sealed in plastic trays. This is a special way of packing called 'modified atmosphere packaging.' It helps them last longer. It lowers the oxygen. And it controls the wetness inside.
But this only works as long as the package is closed.
What To Do After Opening:
- Transfer ASAP: Once you open the package, the special air is gone. This is true if you use just one mushroom or check them. Put unused mushrooms into a brown paper bag right away.
- Avoid Re-Sealing: Don't try to close it again with plastic wrap. It won't make the air special again. It might even make the water worse.
Tip 💡: If the mushrooms in the package look really wet, use a paper towel to dry them a little. Then put them in the bag.
Step-by-Step: How to Store Mushrooms in Paper Bags
Using paper bags is simple. You don't need special tools. Just decide to do it. And make a little room in your fridge. Here is how to store your mushrooms well:
-
Pick and Check 🍄
When you buy mushrooms, look for ones that are dry and firm. They should have even color. Don't pick slimy ones or ones with dark spots. -
Handle Gently 🤲
Mushrooms get bruised easily. Put them gently in the bag. Don't pile too many on top of each other. -
Use a Clean, Dry Brown Paper Bag 📦
Get a brown lunch bag or grocery bag. Make sure it's clean and dry. It should not have ink or food bits on it. -
Don’t Close Tightly 🔄
Fold the top of the bag down softly. This keeps dirt out. But it still lets air move through. -
Put in Fridge Between 1–4°C (34–39°F) ❄
Put the bag in the main part of your fridge. Not in the crisper drawer. Crisper drawers can be too wet for mushrooms. -
Use in 5–7 Days ⏳
Paper bags help keep them fresh. But mushrooms won't last forever.
🚚 Real-World Check: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (2021) says mushrooms in paper bags can stay good enough to sell for up to 7 days.
Fresh from Your Grow Kit? Here’s What To Do
If you are growing mushrooms at home, like from a Zombie Mushrooms kit, keeping them fresh is even more important. These mushrooms don't have chemicals to make them last a long time.
Best Practices for Homegrown Storage:
-
Dry First 🖐
Put your picked mushrooms flat on a clean towel. Leave them for 15 to 30 minutes. This lets water on the outside dry naturally. -
Bag Properly 👜
Put the mushrooms into a brown paper bag with care. Make sure they are not pushed together. Keep them away from veggies that go bad fast. -
Label with Date 🗓
Fresh mushrooms look the same day after day. Writing the date helps you use the older ones first.
💡 Mushrooms you grow at home can be soft. Doing this helps make sure they don't spoil. Then you can enjoy them in dishes like sautéed oyster mushrooms or a portobello burger.
Common Mistakes in Mushroom Storage
Even good cooks make simple mistakes when storing mushrooms. Not making these mistakes can make your mushrooms much fresher. And you will waste less.
Top Mistakes to Avoid:
-
Washing Before Storage 🚫🌊
The biggest mistake is washing mushrooms before putting them in the fridge. Water can get stuck in the gills. This makes them rot faster. -
Overcrowding the Bag 📦❌
Putting too many mushrooms in one bag stops air from moving. This creates spots where they start to rot. -
Stashing with Ethylene Emitters 🍌💨
Many fruits make a gas called ethylene. This gas makes things spoil faster. Keep mushrooms away from fruits like apples, bananas, and avocados. -
Freezing Raw Mushrooms ❄🧐
You should cook mushrooms a little (blanch or sauté) before you freeze them. If you freeze them raw, they get mushy after they thaw. And they lose taste.
Can You Use Other Materials? Paper Bags vs. Other Alternatives
Maybe you don't have brown paper bags. You might want to use something else. Some other things work okay for a short time. But they each have good and bad points.
| Material | Good Points | Bad Points |
|---|---|---|
| Mesh Produce Bags | Lots of air gets through | Doesn't soak up water; mushrooms might dry out |
| Cloth Produce Bags | You can use them again, let air in | Can hold smells; might get mildew |
| Plastic Container W/ Towels | Easy to do yourself | You have to check and change towels often |
| Glass Jar with Paper | Good for the earth, doesn't react badly | Can trap water if air doesn't get in well |
▶️ What This Means: Brown paper bags always give the best home for mushrooms. They balance keeping water out with letting air in. This helps them last longer.
Shelf-Life Comparison
Here is how long mushrooms last and how they stay good with different ways of storing them:
| How You Store Them | How Long They Usually Last | Notes on How Good They Stay |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic Bag | 1–3 days | Go bad fast, get very slimy |
| Brown Paper Bag | 5–7 days | Stay firm, keep their smell, stay good |
| Store Tray Opened | 2–4 days | Don't work well soon after opening |
(Source: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 2021)
🛍 Tip: Get some brown paper lunch bags. Keep them near your fridge drawer for veggies. Doing this simple thing can cut your mushroom waste in half.
Bonus Tip: Refreshing Mushrooms That Are Slightly Wilted
Don't throw away your mushrooms just because they look a little soft. If they aren't slimy or smelly, you might be able to make them better.
Try This Method:
- Cook Dry: Put mushrooms in a clean pan. Don't use oil or butter. Cook them over medium heat.
- Let Water Dry: Cook slowly. The mushrooms will let out water. Then they will take some back in.
- Use Right Away: These mushrooms won't store again. But they are good in soups, stews, or sauces.
💡 Cooking them dry is also a good step before you freeze them. It helps them taste good and keeps their feel.
Reduce Waste, Improve Taste
Lots of mushrooms get thrown away each year. This happens because they aren't stored well. Maybe you buy special mushrooms that cost a lot. Or maybe you just don't want to waste food. Learning better ways helps. Storing mushrooms in a brown paper bag does this:
- Cuts down on food waste.
- Means you use less plastic.
- Helps them keep their taste.
- Keeps delicate mushrooms looking good (like shiitake and maitake).
🌍 Good for the Earth: Not using plastic bags helps the planet. It can also save you money at the store.
Zombie Mushrooms Grows with You
At Zombie Mushrooms, we think growing is just the first step. The next step is learning more. It's about making good habits. And it's about enjoying the food you helped grow. So, if you pick oyster mushrooms from your kit, or buy creminis from the store, storing them smart helps you. You can share more food. You waste less. And you get to taste how good mushrooms really are.
🍽 Because mushrooms should taste good. Not be slimy.
How to Keep Mushrooms Good
Don't use plastic. If you want your mushrooms to last, get air, and taste great, use brown paper bags. They are the right mix. They let air in. And they keep water out. This gives your mushrooms an extra 4 to 6 days. So, next time you get ready to cook, or go shopping, or pick mushrooms you grew: Know that letting mushrooms breathe helps your dishes taste their best.
Citations
- Gormley, R. (2019). Effect of packaging on postharvest quality of mushrooms. Journal of Food Storage & Preservation, 43(4), e13923.
- Thompson-Wood, S. (2022). Sustainable storage solutions for fresh produce. Canadian Food Science Monthly, 58(6), 45–48.
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. (2021). Mushroom Growing and Handling Practices in Canada: Postharvest Recommendations.
