Porcini mushrooms are extremely delicious mushrooms. However, as we know, fresh porcini mushrooms, as well as mushrooms in general, do not last long. Therefore, if you have dried porcini mushrooms and do not know how to store them for a longer time, this advice is for you.
Drying the mushrooms has no effect on their beneficial properties.
Here's how you can store dried porcini mushrooms
Dried porcini mushrooms in glass jars
The jars in which you will store the porcini mushrooms should be of dark glass, not transparent, so that they can be protected from light. These jars must also be hermetically sealed. As we know, mushrooms absorb a lot of moisture, so you need to make sure, that almost no moisture gets into the jar, as well as the room where they are stored. However, before you put the mushrooms in these jars, you must wash them very well and sterilize them, that is, put them in boiling water. Then they must be very well dried, without any moisture in them.
There is one important thing, however - the mushrooms will retain their good taste only when the jar in which they are stored forms a vacuum.
Dried porcini mushrooms in bags
Another way to store dried porcini mushrooms is in bags. For this purpose, the mushrooms must be stored in a place where there is good air circulation and without moisture. This way, the more dry mushrooms will not grow mold. If you decide to store mushrooms in bags, you need to make sure that the room where you will keep them is free of odors, because the mushrooms will absorb it. The best place to store this is on a dry balcony or closet;
Dried porcini mushrooms in the freezer
You can store dried porcini mushrooms in the freezer as well. In the freezer, mushrooms can last a year or longer. The most important thing is that they are stored in vacuum bags or boxes. This way you will know that no moisture gets into them and the dried mushrooms will stay dry.
Dried porcini mushrooms in the attic or in the basement
Another place you can store dried porcini mushrooms is the attic. This method of storage is generally considered more risky, but this should not discourage you if you have decided to store porcini mushrooms this way. If you decide to store dried porcini mushrooms in the attic, however, you must constantly monitor the humidity levels in the room. If the temperature in your attic often rises, there is no way to store mushrooms there. You should also keep an eye out for rodents and other pests in your attic, which can get into the packaging where you store the mushrooms;
Dried porcini mushrooms on a thread
Another method to store the dried porcini mushroom for a longer time. If you have dried them on a thread, do not remove them from it, but leave them strung like that. Once completely dry, the mushrooms should have such a shape and texture, that they sit comfortably on the thread. They should not slide or break when touched. However, before you put them away to be stored like this, you should wrap the thread in cotton cloth. Then you need to put them in a place where external odors and moisture, as well as insects, do not penetrate. This way it will be easier for you to grab mushrooms when you need them - you don't have to remove the thread from the place where you hung it. You just have to "rip off" as many as you need.
Dried porcini mushrooms are perfect for making mushroom risotto and porcini mushroom pasta.
Also read how to freeze porcini mushrooms and how to preserve porcini mushrooms.
