Drying Mushrooms is an age-old practice that allows Mushrooms to be stored for long periods of time without spoiling. Mushrooms, while not actually a vegetable but rather the spongy meaty fruit of a fungus, have been used for thousands of years as a food and medicine, enjoyed for their wide range of textures and flavors. While there are thousands of Mushrooms species, far fewer have culinary value. Egyptian pharaohs coveted Mushrooms as a delicacy, Romans considered Mushrooms a gift from God, while the Chinese valued Mushrooms for their medicinal qualities.
Dried Mushrooms are dried and preserved so that they may be eated any time during the year. Dried Mushrooms are dried in a variety of ways, such as in the sun, with a fan, in an oven or in a food dehydrator. Dried Mushrooms must be stored properly in order to ensure a long shelf life. When Dried Mushrooms are stored in a tightly sealed container in a cool dark dry location, or in a tightly sealed freezer bag in a refrigerator or freezer, Dried Mushrooms will stay fresh for many months. Heat and moisture must be avoided in order for Fried Mushrooms to maintain maximum freshness.
Using Dried Mushrooms
Once reconstituted, Dried Mushrooms may replace fresh mushrooms in most dishes. Dried Mushrooms should be covered and soaked in boiling water for fifteen to twenty minutes and then rinsed. The mushroom flavor infused cooking liquid may be saved for use in soups, stews and sauces. Conversely, Dried Mushrooms may be rinsed first and then added directly to a recipe that will cook for at least twenty-five minutes. Typically once ounce of Dried Mushrooms will rehydrate to three to four ounces in size.
Dried Mushroom Varieties
Some of the most common Dried Mushrooms are Porcini, Shiitake, Morel and Black Trumpet Mushrooms. Their intense flavor allows for their use in a wide variety of dishes. Dried Mushrooms are also a cost-effective food, as a smaller amount of Dried Mushrooms is required for recipes, as Dried Mushrooms tend to have a more concentrated flavor than fresh mushrooms. Depending on the recipe, Dried Mushrooms may impart their own flavor in dishes or take on flavor of other ingredients. Dried Mushrooms also are a hearty food as they withstand heat well from stir-frying or sautéing. Dried Mushrooms are an excellent addition to soups, salads, sandwiches, sauces, as well as many main dishes, such as casserole, stews, and pasta dishes.
Dried Mushroom Health Benefits
The health benefits of Dried Mushrooms are many. Mushrooms have been used in Asia for over 3,000 years to fight disease and boost immunity. Since eighty to ninety percent of a Mushroom’s weight is water, Mushrooms are low in calories, carbohydrates, sodium, and cholesterol. Mushrooms have no fat and are a good source of potassium, which may help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of stroke. Mushrooms are also high in fiber, riboflavin, niacin and copper.
igourmet offers the largest selection of Dried Mushrooms, from Dried Matsutake and Dried Maitake Mushrooms to Dried Porcini and Dried Oyster Mushrooms. Our Dried Mushroom Mixes, such as our Dried Stir Fry Mushroom Blend or our Premium Mix of Dried Mushrooms offer a sampling of many different Mushroom varieties which will add superior taste to any sauce, soup or main dish.
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