Asiago Food 
Mushrooms are a prized ingredient loved by food enthusiasts, but at the same time, they are delicate and easily perishable. For those who don’t have the opportunity or time to prepare fresh mushrooms at home, buying dried ones is a winning alternative.
Dried mushrooms have several advantages over fresh ones: they can be stored for extended periods of time, rehydrate easily in water, and can be used in place of fresh mushrooms in most recipes. In fact, the drying process intensifies their flavor, making them true stars in the kitchen.
Versatile, low in calories, and rich in valuable nutrients, mushrooms have a unique texture and aroma that can add a special touch to countless dishes. In particular, dried mushrooms are a highly appreciated choice for enhancing broths, stews, soups, risottos, pasta, and baked dishes.
It is up to us to make the most of this ingredient and highlight all its qualities in our preparations. But did you know that if stored correctly after purchase, they can still be consumed even after the best before date indicated on the packaging?
Do dried mushrooms expire?
Do dried mushrooms expire?
The dried mushrooms we find on supermarket shelves every day are enclosed in sealed packages with various informations that can be read. One of these is the date of minimum durability (DMD), or best before date, indicated by the formula “Best before: / Best before end:“.
Italian law states that the date of minimum durability for dried mushrooms cannot exceed 12 months from the packaging date. It is also possible to find indications of two or more years in other countries.
However, it is crucial to distinguish the date of minimum durability from the expiration date. The expiration date, indicated with the term “use by:” on the packaging of highly perishable items like fresh meat, milk, fish, and ready-to-eat salads, specifies the deadline by which the food should be consumed to prevent any potential health hazards.
On the other hand, the date of minimum durability applies to less perishable food products and defines the date by which the food maintains its specific properties under appropriate storage conditions. Examples of products that fall into this category include frozen products, cereals and flours, packaged bread and sweets, beverages and bottled water, cured meats, sauces, canned foods, and jams.
Dry mushrooms, being non-perishable from a microbiological standpoint, do not have an expiration date. Therefore, they can be consumed without any risks even if they have exceeded the DMD, provided that they have been properly stored in intact packaging without any visible signs of deterioration.
Expired dried mushrooms: are they safe to eat?
We have learned that dried mushrooms do not have a true expiration date, although it is advisable to consume them within a certain time limit to enjoy all their properties. It will not be dangerous to eat them after the date indicated on the label. Simply put, they may have lost some of their organoleptic qualities over time and may appear less appealing to the eye and palate.
How can you identify “old” dried mushrooms that have lost their original properties? Typically, you may notice a decrease in aroma, a sour smell, or a change in taste and texture.
It is equally important, as with all edible products, to pay attention to possible signs of spoilage: if you find any mold, spots, presence of moths or worms that sometimes thrive in pantries when food is not stored carefully, it is best to discard the entire package.
How and where to store dried mushrooms
The dried mushrooms sold at the supermarket come in tightly sealed packages that maintain their structural, nutritional, and organoleptic properties. Nonetheless, proper storage is crucial even after the initial opening to ensure long-term freshness.
For instance, it is not recommended to expose dried mushrooms to direct sunlight, store them near heat sources, or in damp environments. Instead, it is advisable to preserve them inside an airtight container in a well-protected, cool, dark, and clean place.
However, the best home storage is in the freezer: the cold will keep the characteristics of the dried mushroom intact and stop the natural decay of the product. Color, flavor and smell will remain intense for a very long time, and the texture will remain unchanged.
Proceed as follows: if the packaging is still intact, simply place it in the freezer at home. In the event that you have a handful of leftover dried mushrooms from an opened package, place them in a freezer bag, seal it tightly, and store it in the freezer. This way, you can conveniently use your mushrooms as needed by only taking the required amount.
After a few minutes at room temperature, they will be as fresh as when you first bought them!
Dried porcini mushrooms ready to be rehydrated and used in cooking
Fresh, frozen, or dried: no matter how they are prepared, mushrooms are a tasty and winning choice! Now that you know how delicious and easy it is to store dried mushrooms, why not try making a delectable porcini mushroom fettuccine?
