Storing Mushrooms

Things You'll Need

* Paper towels Paper bag Mushroom brush (optional)

Steps
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Step One
Be sure the mushrooms are fresh. Choose mushrooms that are firm and free of any decay. Look at the gills under the mushroom tops. Gills that are closed tightly indicate a young mushroom that has a delicate taste and will last longer. There's nothing wrong with gills that are more open; it simply shows that the mushroom is older. It will have a richer taste but won't stay fresh for long.
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Step Two
Remove any plastic wrap covering the mushrooms. Mushrooms need ventilation. Plastic bags and plastic storage containers will lead to quick decay. A plain brown paper bag is a great choice for storing mushrooms. You can also simply cover the original container with a paper towel as a replacement for the plastic wrap.
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Step Three
Do not wash the mushrooms before storing. It's important to keep them dry. However, you can gently brush the dirt off with your fingers or a mushroom brush. Later, when you start to prepare them for a meal, lightly rinse the mushrooms and dry them right away with paper towels.
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Step Four
Refrigerate the mushrooms. Keep the mushrooms in the least humid part of the refrigerator.
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Step Five
Be aware of storage times for different mushroom varieties. Agaric mushrooms, often called white mushrooms, have button caps and a white or light brown color. Agaric mushrooms will stay fresh for up to one week. Crimini mushrooms are also called Italian brown mushrooms. Their earthy flavor works well with many dishes and they can stay fresh for a maximum of one week. Shiitake mushrooms are best known for their use in Asian cooking. Their color varies from tan to dark brown. Fresh Shiitake mushrooms can be stored for approximately two weeks. Portobello mushrooms are related to Agaric mushrooms, but they're much larger and have a meaty flavor. They can be stored for up to ten days.
Overall Tips & Warnings

* Do not freeze fresh uncooked mushrooms. First saute the mushrooms in oil or butter, let them cool and then put them in a freezer bag. One month is the maximum freezer storage time for these mushrooms.