MUSHROOMS....?????

[Stella]

I have been buying fresh container mushrooms for years.  There are times 
when I forget to use them, and they go bad.  How can you tell if they are
bad when they look ok, but when cutting them they are soft.  The 
container I used today had some hard mushrooms at the bottom, and 
the ones on top were softer with a darker fan underneath.  Maybe someone
can clarify this for me.  Thank you!

[Kathy_SD]

I can't help you out with that question Stella because I can't eat mushrooms because the taste of them absolutely gags me, lol.

[tasty]

Mushrooms are one of those things that I would say, if in doubt, throw it out (or at least on the compost heap).

[iliz9]

Because of the same problem, deciding if they are good or bad, now I buy just a small basket (covered with clear plastic, that I remove right away)..and try to use them ASAP...I think I read somewhere to check the bottom, to see if it is too dark/crusty....

[Gayle]

I never buy fresh mushrooms so no help here.  Sorry

[Carole]

When the Urban Peasant (James Barber) used to be on TV he said that he always looks for the wrinkled, older mushrooms at the store because they're more flavorful. I have his book Mushrooms Are Marvelous and he says that all older mushrooms lose is some of their moisture but the flavor is still there. I know that if I leave the mushrooms in the plastic container covered with the plastic too long they get slimy. Then I do throw them out. Best way to keep mushrooms is in a brown paper bag in the fridge. They do get dry if they get old, but don't usually get slimy in the paper bag.

[Stella]

Thanks for your help.  Will keep in mind the brown paper bag.  My mom would dry wild mushrooms.  When they were completely dry, she would put them in a paper bag or jar.  Might try that out with the commercial fresh mushrooms.

[marylc]

i eat mushrooms and put a layer of paper napkin inbetween them ,stays fresher longer.

[Deleted]

I always forget to take the plastic wrap off the container. I love mushrooms! Just if they look slimey like someone already said, dont eat! Also sniff them. If they smell kind of bad, dont eat them. I am fortunate and live near Kennett Square, PA, mushroom capitol of the world! We get the freshest mushrooms here! But there seems to be "seasons" for them, when we dont see many nice ones in the stores. Love mushrooms anyway you serve them!

[annrms]

I do what Carole does, and I do buy mushrooms that are on the sale table...they are usually a bit dehydrated, but I roast them sometimes with other veggies like onions & peppers. I then freeze them if not using right away.

[wilderness]

I dehydrate a lot of mushrooms and use them when cooking soups and stews etc.  At the restaurant we never put a cover on the mushrooms.  They will dry out a bit but it doesn't hurt them.

[mnwildflowers]

Good question Stella.  We usually only buy them when we have a certain recipe planned, but have had the occasion of them getting slimy and bad in the fridge.  I like the paper bag idea for storing them in the fridge. I love fried mushrooms on a burger!  YUM!

[luvmyb_b]

Great question, Stella!  I've found the answers here very enlightening.  Mushrooms tend to make me nervous because I don't know enough about them, but I do love them.    

[nybirder]

I agree that mushrooms that have opened up underneath aren't necessarily bad. They do have more flavor. If they are just wrinkled and dry on the outside, sniff them. If you get a whiff of ammonia, toss them. Otherwise, they are OK.

I forget to take them out of the package, too. Slimy means toss. When I think of it, I transfer them to a paper bag, too. They might get a little wrinkled but are usable.

By the way, I just loved the Urban Peasant, Carole. We used to get his show on cable from a Canadian station and followed him for years.

[Stella]

Funny you should mention the Urban Peasant.  I loved to watch that program.
I learned a great deal from it.  Wish I knew about that program earlier.