How to dry oyster mushrooms correctly?

Oyster mushrooms Oyster mushrooms are a tasty and healthy product used in a variety of dishes. To enjoy them year-round, they can be canned, frozen, or dried. Drying, unlike other methods, preserves all the beneficial nutrients, vitamins, and microelements.

Are oyster mushrooms dried?

You can find a lot of information online about drying champignons and other mushrooms, but rarely is there information about drying oyster mushrooms. So, people sometimes wonder if they can be dried at all. And the answer is yes. Oyster mushrooms contain little water, so they're easy to dry and will keep for a very long time. Dried mushrooms take up little space, but the possibilities for using them are vast.

Moreover, drying oyster mushrooms doesn't lose any of their beneficial nutrients and vitamins, provided you follow certain rules.

Preparation

To ensure that mushrooms dry well but remain tasty and healthy, you first need to prepare them properly.

Before drying, don't wash the mushrooms; just remove any dirt or dark spots with a sharp knife. Then, wipe each mushroom with a clean, dry cloth to remove any remaining dust and dirt.

The stems of the mushrooms should also be separated from the caps using a knife.

Drying methods

You can dry mushrooms either in the fresh air or using a special device - an electric dryer.

In the fresh air

The good thing about this method is that it doesn’t require any additional equipment and is easy to use at home.

However, this drying method also has a downside: mushrooms can only be dried in dry, hot, and sunny weather.

Drying is carried out according to the following algorithm:

1. Place the prepared oyster mushrooms in a single layer on paper and place them in the sun for three hours. The area where the mushrooms are stored should not only be warm but also well-ventilated.

Beginner mistakes

• • Dry in the shade or at high humidity
• • Use of metal pallets (oxidation)
• • Insufficient ventilation of the space
• • Exposure to direct sunlight (destruction of vitamins)
• • Too thick a layer of mushrooms
2. During this time, the mushrooms won't dry out completely, but will just become slightly wilted. They should be strung on thick thread or wire. If using thread, thread it through a needle to make the process easier.
3. Hang the oyster mushrooms in a dry, very warm place for 24 hours. A spot near the stove in the kitchen might be suitable.

In an electric dryer

Drying mushrooms with a special device is much faster and easier. An electric dehydrator can also be used for dried fruits and vegetables.

To dry mushrooms this way you need:

1. Place the prepared oyster mushrooms in a special sieve from an electric dryer, and then place it in the device as indicated in the instructions.
2. The device should be set to a temperature of 50 degrees for 2 hours.
3. After 2 hours, increase the temperature in the dryer to 75 degrees.
4. Dry the mushrooms until completely dry. This usually takes up to 12 hours.

Professional advice

• ✓ Change the trays regularly (every 2 hours)
• ✓ Monitor the temperature with a thermometer
• ✓ Leave 1-2 cm gaps between mushrooms
• ✓ Use ventilation mode if provided
• ✓ Check for doneness on the outer trays

In the oven

Alternatively, you can try drying mushrooms in the oven. For the proper method, watch the video:

How to determine readiness?

When drying oyster mushrooms, especially in a dehydrator, it's easy to miss the point when they're completely dry. However, this shouldn't happen, as the mushrooms will become tasteless and crumble. Similarly, leaving them underdried won't store well, will cause mold, and can cause food poisoning.

To tell if the mushrooms are ready, try bending one oyster mushroom: it should be fairly flexible, but will break when bent.

Cooked oyster mushrooms remain light in color, and their taste and aroma are identical to raw mushrooms. When dried, the mushrooms shrink by 90%, meaning their total volume is only 10% of their original size.

How to store?

When storing, it is important to observe the following conditions:

• The air in the room where dried oyster mushrooms are stored should not be humid, otherwise the mushrooms will become damp and may begin to mold. The area should be dry and ventilated.
• Place the mushrooms in glass jars with tight-fitting lids to prevent moths from infesting them. Alternatively, place them in heavy paper bags.
• If you store mushrooms in paper bags, avoid placing them near foods with strong odors. Oyster mushrooms are very sensitive to odors.

Dried mushrooms should be stored for no more than one year.

Before using oyster mushrooms to prepare any dish, soak them in hot boiled water for 1-1.5 hours.

Benefits of dried oyster mushrooms

Dried oyster mushrooms retain all the beneficial substances, including potassium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, vitamins A, PP, thiamine, calciferol, ergosterol and riboflavin.

Unlike canned mushrooms, none of these substances are lost with this storage method.

This is why drying mushrooms is considered the most beneficial way to preserve them for a long period.

Dried oyster mushrooms can be used to prepare a variety of dishes, and no matter the season, you'll always have these mushrooms on your table. Importantly, they retain all the beneficial properties of fresh mushrooms. Drying oyster mushrooms is completely simple and doesn't take long.

Frequently Asked Questions