We're always told to wash fruit and vegetables—but are there exceptions? Mushrooms often have visible specks of dirt, so surely your first thought might be to give them a quick rinse. However, culinary professionals have always been divided on the topic of whether to wash or not to wash mushrooms.
There might not be a right answer, and it might even depend on who you ask or your personal preference. Perhaps even the amount of dirt clinging to the spongy fungi will sway you in one direction. One thing is for sure: It is important to clean your mushrooms. Keep reading for tips on how to clean and wash mushrooms.
Are You Supposed to Wash Mushrooms?
There are basically two schools of thought when it comes to cleaning mushrooms: that you should never wash your mushrooms under water, and that it is okay to.
In many culinary schools, washing mushrooms under running water is basically considered a sin punishable by the culinary gods. Usually, the damp paper towel method to "wash" mushrooms is advised, gently rubbing off the almost guaranteed-to-be-there dirt. Some believe that by washing the mushrooms, they would absorb the water, turn soggy, and never achieve the desirable browning that makes them so delicious. The New Food Lover's Companion supports the damp paper towel route and advises that "if necessary," rinse mushrooms with cold water and dry them thoroughly.
Yet, the highly respected author Harold McGee documented in his 1990 book, Curious Cook: More Kitchen Science and Lore, that through his experiment on washing and soaking mushrooms, he found that barely any water was actually absorbed. This, in turn, seemingly granted permission to give mushrooms a quick rinse under the faucet. So what is one to do?
Bottom Line
Regardless of the different schools of thought on how to get that pesky dirt off mushrooms, there is no doubt that it is important to clean mushrooms before cooking, one way or another. Vegetables (and fruits) can sometimes carry germs that can lead to foodborne illness, so it is important to be mindful.
How To Wash Mushrooms
There are two different methods to follow to properly clean your mushrooms: the damp paper towel method and the under-the-sink method. Below, we go more into detail about which methods to use for each kind of mushroom. Here are the steps to take to clean your mushrooms:
Damp Paper Towel Method
This is the preferred method if your mushrooms do not have much visible debris.
- Lightly dampen a paper towel.
- Gently wipe mushrooms with a damp paper towel to remove any dirt.
Under the Sink Method
If your batch of mushrooms has lots of visible dirt or you prefer to rinse them, here is how to wash mushrooms:
- Place mushrooms in a colander.
- Quickly rinse with cold water; shake off excess water.
- Dry as much as possible with a paper towel.
To avoid slimy mushrooms and maximize freshness, always clean your mushrooms just before cooking. Never wash your mushrooms before storing them.
How to Wash Store-Bought Mushrooms
Most mushrooms found at grocery stores, such as white, button, and cremini, are grown in indoor farms with pre-treated compost to reduce bacteria levels, and they often come packed pretty clean. A damp paper towel to clean these mushrooms should do the trick. There might, of course, be a batch with a bit more dirt stuck on them, and if that's the case and a damp paper towel will not do, go for the very quick rinse, shake, and dry method.
How to Wash Cultivated Mushrooms
Some of the most commonly cultivated mushrooms according to the North American Mycological Association are shiitake, maitake, royal trumpet, and oyster mushrooms. The latter is actually considered one of the easiest to grow at home. These beauties don't require any special care but do keep in mind if you're going for crispy mushrooms, the quick-rinse option might deter the shrooms from getting that satisfying golden-brown crisp.
How to Wash Wild-Foraged Mushrooms
If you're reading this, you must be a mushroom pro or maybe you went on a foraging walk with a mushroom expert or a trained mycologist—a person who studies the science of fungi—since extreme caution is a must when picking wild mushrooms. Foraging sounds adventurous, maybe even romantic, and some mushrooms in the wild could look harmless and perhaps familiar, but it is very important to never eat wild mushrooms without professional guidance or expertise.
According to the Mushroom Council, there are thousands of varieties of inedible and poisonous mushrooms. The Mushroom Council recommends purchasing commercially grown mushrooms or shopping from a trusted retailer, or enjoying them at a restaurant if you have a craving for the wild ones.
With that said, the same rule applies when washing wild-foraged mushrooms as the other types, for the most part. Morels and chanterelles are some of the most common types of wild-foraged mushrooms. Here is how to clean each type of mushroom:
The difference between a cultivated wild mushroom, or a mushroom grown for commercial purposes, and a wild-foraged mushroom, or a mushroom found in nature, is that wild mushrooms provide less energy than cultivated mushrooms. This is due to cultivated mushrooms having a higher concentration of protein and a lower concentration of fat.
Morels
For morels, their distinct honeycomb shape might allow more dirt to sneak into the crevices, especially the larger ones. If you can get away with simply brushing off any dirt from the mushrooms, go for it. But most likely, you will need to follow the below steps to clean the morels.
- When it comes to fresh morels, it's best to give them a good shake in a paper bag first to loosen any dirt or debris.
- Then, right before cooking, swish them around in a bowl of cold water to dislodge any more dirt, preferably with a couple of tablespoons of salt dissolved in the water.
- Immediately arrange them on paper towels and thoroughly pat dry. Also due to their unique shape, it is more likely for water to seep in, so don't skip the drying step.
Chanterelles
For chanterelles, take your pick from either of the above methods. However, if you see any tiny bug holes in the stem end, you should follow the instructions below. This will ensure that any little critters living in the mushroom find their way out.
- Add salt to the water you plan to wash the mushrooms with, making sure the salt dissolves in the water.
- Add the mushrooms to the water, and allow them to soak for 20 minutes.
- Drain the water.
- Immediately arrange them on paper towels and thoroughly pat dry.
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