Mushrooms are popular fungi that make dishes even tastier. They can also be made into a separate dish or quick snack. However, knowing whether such mushrooms need to be cleaned before cooking is important.
Do They Need Cleaning
Old mushrooms that have darkened need to be cleaned thoroughly because they accumulate a lot of dirt and dust.
However, if you bought young mushrooms, you don’t need to peel off the skin.
Experts say mushrooms grow in special sterile conditions. Owners of production facilities must follow a number of rules for their products to make it onto store shelves. So there is no need to clean mushrooms before cooking.
What Needs to be Done Before Cooking
Mushrooms can be wiped with a paper towel, and less accessible places cleaned with a dry brush. However, if you want to prepare them thoroughly before eating, rinse under running water.
It is not recommended to leave them in water for long, as these mushrooms absorb moisture very well. This will negatively affect the taste and smell. It’s enough to rinse the mushrooms quickly, and a brush or sponge will help get rid of excess dirt.
If you need to get rid of excess liquid after washing, the mushrooms should be dried immediately with a paper towel.
A common mistake that affects the taste of mushrooms is adding salt at the beginning of cooking. This causes the mushrooms to release water almost immediately and darken. It’s best to salt them at the end.
