how long do morels mushrooms last

How Long Do Morel Mushrooms Last?

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How long do morel mushrooms last? Morel mushrooms, which are also known as Morchella or sponge mushrooms, are a type of wild mushroom with an earthy, nutty flavor popular in many cuisines around the world most especially in French cuisine.

Morel mushrooms can be cooked by steaming with butter and shallots or by sauteing ( frying in a pan with a little oil).

They are also commonly used in soups or sauces and even in making risotto.

Unlike the slimy texture of other mushroom varieties, morel mushrooms have a meaty texture

Which is why they are a highly desired ingredient among chefs and mushroom enthusiasts.

 

So, how long do morel mushrooms last after being picked?

Morel mushrooms are best eaten within 4 days of picking them.

Keep them fresh in a bowl with a damp paper towel over them or in a brown bag in the fridge and don’t save them for more than 4 days.

You can dry or freeze the mushrooms to keep them longer than 4 days. Reheat and enjoy them when you are ready.

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How Long Do Dried Morel Mushrooms Last?

Your dehydrated morels will last indefinitely if properly stored without coming in contact with moisture.

However, they are best when consumed within 6 to 12 months of storage.

To store them, put them in a sealed container and keep them in a cool, dry, and dark place until when you are ready to use them

Then you can take them out and soak them in room temperature water for 4 hours.

 

How Long Do Fresh Morel Mushrooms Last?

Morels are delicate, fragile fungi that need the gentlest care if not they will fall apart quickly.

It is best to eat Morel mushrooms immediately after picking while they are still fresh

But you can store the in the refrigerator and use them within 4 days. Freezing or dehydrating them will help them last longer.

 

How To Tell If Morel Mushrooms Are Good

By looking at the cap or top of the mushrooms you will be able to tell if they are still good or spoilt.

Morels that are still good for consumption have plenty of deep pits that resemble a bee’s honeycomb or a giant prune and their caps also tend to be longer than the stem.

When they become spoiled they develop wavy ridges and don’t have as many pits, also, their caps tend to be shorter than the stem

 

Can You Freeze Morel Mushrooms?

Yes, you can freeze Morel mushrooms. You mustn’t freeze them raw because they won’t maintain their texture and flavor when you reheat them.

Sauteing or boiling the mushrooms is the best.

 

How Long Do Morel Mushrooms Last In The Refrigerator?

If kept in a bowl with a damp paper towel over them or in a brown bag, morel mushrooms will remain fresh for up to 4 days in your refrigerator.

Discard them if you don’t use them in 5 days.

 

Can You Get Sick From Old Morel Mushrooms?

Morels are delicate mushrooms and when they are kept for too long they will fall apart and begin to spoil.

If you think your dehydrated morels are too old, they really are.

 

How To Store Morel Mushrooms In The Fridge

Storing your morels lose in the refrigerator is the best way to keep them.

Do not seal them in a bag rather put them in a container that has a lot of ventilation.

If the morels are dirty, soak them in a bowl of cold water and agitate once or twice to remove the dirt.

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Best Substitutes Of Morel Mushrooms

Morel mushrooms happen to be one of the most expensive varieties of mushrooms.

Luckily, we have several substitutes which offer similar flavors and textures at a lower cost.

With these substitutes, you can add variety to your meals and enjoy the taste of morels without breaking the bank.

1. Shiitake Mushrooms

Because of their distinctive flavor and firm texture, shiitake mushrooms are a great option that you can use to replace morel mushrooms.

These fungi can be bought fresh, dried, or in canned form and they typically come in brown or black colors.

When they are dried their caps may also turn yellow.

When you use these shiitake instead of morel mushrooms when preparing many different meals including vegan recipes,

You will find that they absorb other flavors in your recipe and have a meaty texture.

2. Maitake Mushrooms

These fungi are known by many different names, including ram’s head and hen of the woods.

Maitake mushrooms have a distinctive flavor and a creamy texture similar to morel mushrooms,

They may also be used as a substitute in most recipes that call for morels.

Maitake typically grows in clumps, in the wild during the late autumn months, however, they can be grown in your backyard during the spring and summer.

They are usually gray or brown and may have wrinkles (that are somewhat similar to a brain) on the caps.

In addition to it being an excellent substitute for morels, it is sometimes sold as a medicinal mushroom

This is because it reportedly helps with certain health problems such as diabetes.

3. Chanterelle mushrooms

These fungi can grow in many different habitats and are often considered one of the best substitutes for morel mushrooms.

Chanterelles usually have a golden or yellow color with a nutty, fruity, or wine-like flavor accompanied by an apricot-like scent that is quite strong.

This is because they are easy to cultivate,

These mushrooms are typically sold fresh in trays at farmers’ markets and sometimes in supermarkets

Also, many chefs prefer to buy them new rather than the frozen or dried form.

Note that when used as a recipe, chanterelle mushrooms will absorb the flavors of the sauce or soup you are cooking with them.

4. Oyster Mushrooms

Oyster mushrooms may be gray, brown, or white with thick and meaty caps.

These mushrooms blend well with the other ingredients in your recipe because they have a mild flavor that will absorb the flavors of any dish that it is cooked with.

They can be used to substitute for morel mushrooms in different dishes, including vegan recipes, or eaten raw if you wish.

5. Black Trumpet Mushrooms

The last substitute for morel mushrooms on our list is known as black trumpet mushrooms.

These fungi have a distinctive and mild flavor that is earthy and can either be used fresh or dried to prepare your favorite dishes.

Morel mushrooms are known for their meaty texture and distinctive flavor,

However, you can find many substitutes for morel mushrooms that offer similar flavors when dining.

If you are a vegan, you can use hen of the woods, trumpet mushrooms, or oyster mushrooms, to create dishes with a creamy texture.

 

How To Freeze Morel Mushrooms

Place clean Morels into a pot of boiling water and bring to a boil for around 5 minutes.

Next, you remove the morels in a strainer and then lay them out on a paper towel to dry.

Once dried, transfer them into a freezer bag, remove as much air as you can, and then freeze.

 

How To Tell If Morel Mushrooms Are Bad

You can easily spot a bad morel mushroom by looking at it.

Good morels have plenty of deep pits and their caps are also longer than the stem,

But when they go bad these will change and they will develop wavy ridges, won’t have as many brain-like pits, and their caps will become shorter than the stem

 

How To Eat Morel Mushrooms

Morel mushrooms are at their finest when tossed on a grill or lightly salted and sautéed quickly in butter.

You can also add them to pasta or risotto to enhance the flavor.

Note: morels are normally edible, but they may cause you to fall sick if they are eaten raw, eaten with alcoholic beverages, undercooked, or if a large amount is eaten.

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Conclusion

Morels are a unique, delicious mushroom used in recipes that require long cooking times.

They can be cooked in various dishes, such as soups to add a strong, almost nutty flavor and a meaty texture.

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