How to dry champignons at home - popular methods

How to properly dry champignons at home

There are several ways to dry champignons and each method is good in its own way, but they all have the same general rules. The first main rule in drying champignons is that you should not soak or wash them in water. It is quite difficult to dry mushrooms that have absorbed moisture and, as a result, you can end up with a spoiled product. You can clean freshly picked mushrooms with a soft brush, sponge or cloth. The second rule applies to the thickness of cut plastics or slices - it should not exceed 10-15 mm.

The natural way

If you suddenly don’t have modern electrical appliances at hand or you simply don’t want to use them, then the champignons can be dried naturally. To do this, mushrooms are tied on a strong thread and hung in a dry, warm and well-ventilated room.You can also simply lay them out on a clean cloth that absorbs moisture well. You can also dry it outside, but always in the shade, because... It is not recommended to do this in direct sunlight. Mushrooms need to be covered with gauze or a thin fabric that allows air to pass through so that flies and other insects do not get to them. This drying method will take 6-7 days.

In an electric dryer

The simplest, but energy-intensive method involves the presence of a special electric dryer. Sliced ​​mushrooms are laid out on special racks or trays and placed in a device turned on at a specific program. After 8-10 hours, the mushrooms are ready, the time depends on the power of the drying machine and the thickness of the sliced ​​champignons.

Using an oven

Another available method, especially for residents of apartment buildings, is drying in an electric oven. Place the champignon slices on a wire rack or baking sheet in one layer. Place in the oven and set the temperature to 50 degrees. After 6-7 hours, you can increase the temperature to 80 degrees and dry for about 18-20 hours. The oven door should be slightly open to allow excess moisture to evaporate. Periodically, the mushrooms must be stirred for better drying.

How to properly store champignons after drying

Champignons are considered ready for storage if the slices are flexible enough, without excessive softness and do not break. Such a blank can be stored in a fabric bag, preferably made of thick chintz or cotton, in a paper box or glass jar. It is important to avoid moisture and occasionally check dried mushrooms for insects.

More details about proper drying of mushrooms can be found on the ezidri-master channel.