Many mushroom pickers consider drying to be the best way to preserve their catch. Although thanks to this method you can store mushrooms for months, not all species are suitable for this process. Mycologists warn that some of them become even more toxic after drying and may even pose a greater health risk than toadstools.
- Some mushrooms become more toxic when dried.
- Drying concentrates nutrients and toxins, which do not change the appearance or smell of the mushrooms.
- It is safe to dry only verified types of mushrooms.
- When in doubt, leave them in the woods.
This problem mainly concerns mushrooms that until recently were considered edible or conditionally edible.. However, experts warn that after drying, their toxicity can increase significantly. During this process, mushrooms lose up to 90% of their water content, as a result of which not only nutrients but also harmful toxins are concentrated. These do not change the smell or color of dried mushrooms, so visual inspection can lead to dangerous mistakes.
Drying some types of mushrooms is not recommended. (illustrative photo)
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Another reason for caution is the more intense taste of dried mushrooms. This often leads to people adding larger amounts to their meals, increasing their intake of toxins. Increased vigilance is recommended, for example, in the case of the greenish sardine (known as zelenka), which was once a popular autumn delicacy, but today experts classify it as one of the most dangerous species. The toxins in it can damage the muscles and liver, while drying concentrates these harmful effects even more.
Based on this, experts emphasize that you only dry well-known and reliably safe species, such as oaks, Cossacks and boletus mushrooms. When in doubt, you should avoid the mushroom altogether.
Proper storage is also important, as some species, such as buttercups, are prone to mold. In case of any uncertainty, it is recommended to consult a mycologist or a specialist mushroom consultancy, as expertise is crucial for safety. Experts also emphasize that it is always better to leave suspicious mushrooms in the forest than to risk poisoning.
This article comes from the Ringier publishing partner website. The content and data contained in it were taken without editorial intervention.
