How Long Do Shiitake Mushrooms Last?
Native to China, Shiitakes are known as “Queen of mushrooms". They emerged right back in between 1000 and 1100 A.D. Their umami flavor and smell are so rich that they enticed locals and growers into massive cultivation. And this didn’t stay limited to the borders. In fact, it spread across different parts of Japan, Indonesia, Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. Certainly, this Oakwood shroom is capable enough to keep you intrigued. However, you may need to consume it as early as possible since it’s got a limited shelf life. Yes, you can alter its lifespan depending on several factors such as packaging, storage, temperature, and environment. That still has a constraint. Now, you may ask-
How long do Shiitake mushrooms last? If it’s well-packaged, raw Shiitake mushroom stays fresh for up to 12 hours outside, 14 days in the fridge at 34°F, and 6 months in the freezer at -0.4°F. Even if its shelf life is extended, the texture, flavor, and smell can change which might be unpleasant to eat. We suggest you use them within 6 to 10 days in case they’re refrigerated in a loose bag otherwise they may go bad.
As their shelf life depends on different factors, we thought of highlighting them and identifying a method that’s ideal for them.
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Proper Room For Shiitake Mushroom
Packaging and storage are two most essential factors that help prevent Shiitake shrooms from spoiling. It doesn’t mean they should be kept in an airtight container. Because this will cause condensation and spoilage. How?
Well, the Oakwood mushroom has cells that inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. So, they breathe just like us humans.
Packaging
How to package Shiitake mushrooms? We suggest using original packaging of the Shiitake shrooms that you purchase from the store. Such wraps are designed with circulated airflow that lets them breathe properly. But if you bring the cluster unpackaged, then, seal it in a moisture-absorbing bag with better ventilation. This system will keep their exhaled moisture from wetting the fleshes and slow down spoilage.
Studies showed that Shiitake mushrooms stay better if wrapped in macro-perforated packages. For instance, polyolefin film. It preserves the freshness of mushroom while maintaining internal gas exchanges.
Storage
It doesn’t matter which technique you follow, it’s better to clean the cluster with dry paper towel and then wrap it.
1. At Room Temp
The raw ones may stay well outside for up to 12 hours on hot, sunny days and 24 hours during cold winters. Room temperature isn’t ideal for storage since it quickens the rate of deterioration. Some of the fleshes may even start becoming brown and slimy after a day regardless of packaging.
2. In The Refrigerator
If it’s unpackaged, then the shelf life of Shiitake mushrooms can go up to 7 days in the fridge. Then again, you can make them last up to 14 days if they are refrigerated in a well-packaged bag at 34°F.
3. In The Freezer
As per a research, fresh shiitake mushrooms can be edible for around 2 months if stored in the freezer at -0.4°F. The duration can increase up to 6 months depending on flesh and packaging. But yes, they certainly do well if you wrap them in the kind of bag we suggested above.
Although the shrooms might be somewhat safe to eat, we won’t guarantee that their freshness and flavor will remain intact.
However, you can keep its quality in two more ways.
3.1 Freeze The Frozen One
For this, just cleaning a bunch of shiitake mushrooms with a paper towel will do. Don’t use water since it’ll make them mushy. Get rid of the dirt and trim all the stems.
Next, spread the cluster on a parchment-lined tray. Make sure to keep spaces between each of them.
Freeze them until they are frozen. It might take around 20 minutes.
Lastly, take the shrooms out, cover them in an airtight, freezer bag, and put them back in your freezer.
3.2 Blanching
Another efficient method is to increase the shelf life of shiitakes up to around a year.
First, make a solution of 1 pint of water and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice. Now, soak them in the mixture for 5 minutes. It’ll help prevent the browning or darkening of the fleshes.
Then, boil water in a pot. Add the shrooms and a dash of salt. Next, steam them using a steamer basket for 5 minutes.
Now, shift them immediately to a bowl of water with ice on it. Let them sit there for 5 minutes or until cooled.
Next, strain the mushrooms and pat dry them with a towel.
Lastly, wrap them in an airtight bag and keep them in the freezer.
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4 Signs Of Good Shiitake Mushrooms
1. Rich Umami Flavors
Shitake mushrooms are popular for their rich woodsy and umami flavor due to having higher amount of amino acid glutamate.
When cooked, the savor gets more pronounced and you find them meatier, earthier, smokier, and more buttery. The best form would be sautéing the fresh ones or stir-frying the dried ones with other veggies. However, you can also use both the versions in soups, noodles, and salads.
It’s safe to eat them cooked. Because raw ones contain lentinan, a kind of sugar molecule that can cause skin reactions called flagellate dermatitis.
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4 Signs Of Bad Shiitake Mushrooms
1. Slimy And Sticky
One of the earlier signs of bad Shiitake mushrooms should be their slimy texture. It’s quite easy to detect if you look at one or hold it.
Experts found that Pseudomonas agarici, a kind of bacteria causes the mushroom to be slimy. In such a case, they lose their bouncy nature and feel soft.
It mostly happens when the shiitakes are exposed to high humidity and temperature. And such an environment causes bacterial contamination that makes them mushy and sticky.
As long as they are slightly moist and slimy to touch, you can use them after giving them a good rinse. But once they are slippery, throw them away.
