How can you be sure that you are buying truly local mushrooms and not their equivalent from China? What should you focus on when choosing dried mushrooms in the store so that you don’t go home with wormy or moldy specimens? We recommend what to focus on when choosing dried mushrooms.

A basic component of Christmas meals

Not all of us had the opportunity to collect mushrooms during the autumn season. Even their drying usually requires time, proper preparation and equipment. Those who can’t use self-harvested supplies will surely head to grocery stores soon. There they buy ready-made dried mushrooms.

Preparing them for Christmas Eve cabbage takes only a few moments:

  • the dried mushrooms should be soaked in a bowl of water
  • then cut
  • throw in the cabbage patch

But before that happens, it pays to know how to choose quality mushrooms. That way you won’t be unpleasantly surprised at home during the Christmas preparations.

Do you buy dried mushrooms? Pay attention

Remember several important aspects already at the stage of choosing dried mushrooms in the store. This will protect you from fraud.

A scandal broke out in Italy some time ago. It has come to light that the dried mushrooms sold as local mushrooms actually come from China. They had nothing in common with local mushrooms either in appearance or taste.

  • To protect yourself from such an attempt at fraud, carefully read the label affixed to the bag or can of mushrooms.
  • First of all, the safest choice will be local, regional companies.
  • Also, pay attention to the required approvals and that they were collected under the supervision of a mushroom expert.
  • If the mushrooms are in a transparent bag, it’s a good idea to look for white spots on them. This is a sign that they have been stored poorly and have started to mold. Such mushrooms are not suitable for consumption.

Another aspect is check if the mushrooms have been properly dried.

  • For this purpose, choose one of them. Gently test the packaging to see if they crumble and break immediately when pressed. Or if they put up little resistance. They are slightly pliable before breaking.

This one the second description corresponds to properly prepared dried mushrooms.

  • Also, don’t forget to take a good look at what the bottom of the package looks like. There may be insects or their larvae at the bottom. In this case, throw away the dose as soon as possible.

Sometimes in the store you will not be able to see the pests hidden in the mushrooms. If the mushrooms were full of unwanted guests, you will notice it only when soaking them in water. Unfortunately.

  • Therefore, also check the water after soaking. You will avoid food poisoning and stomach pain. If you find worms in it, it is better to dispose of the mushrooms to be safe.

Thanks for these tips you can be sure to choose the right mushrooms. You will also reduce the risk of being scammed.

How long to cook dried mushrooms so that they are not hard? Many people make the same mistake