Mushrooms are not only delicious, they are also healthy. They provide us with many important vitamins and nutrients and should therefore be a regular part of the menu. Especially in autumn you can enjoy them more. We explain how to clean mushrooms properly and what you should pay attention to.
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Mushrooms are healthy
Mushrooms not only shine as a delicacy in various dishes, they also provide us with important vitamins, especially from the B group, minerals such as calcium or magnesium and trace elements such as zinc and selenium. Depending on the variety, certain mushrooms even contain vitamin C or vitamin D, which the body can otherwise mainly absorb through exposure to sunlight. In addition, the so-called mushrooms are a good source of protein and fiber. Another advantage: Due to their high water and low fat content, they are also good for the figure.
Clean mushrooms properly: You should pay attention to this
There are a few things to consider when preparing and cleaning fresh mushrooms, as they can be contaminated with bacteria. This applies to both self-collected and purchased specimens. Many people make the mistake of washing mushrooms before preparing them. However, if they are held under running water, they can soak up water and lose their typical mushroom aroma. Instead, the mushrooms should be freed from dirt and soil with a soft brush or a damp cloth. Wild mushrooms should be cleaned particularly thoroughly. Also trim off damaged areas and dry ends. After the mushrooms are cleaned, you can further process them as you wish. Whether roasting, braising, grilling or au gratin – they can be prepared in a variety of ways. However, it is a misconception that mushroom dishes should not be reheated, as is often assumed. However, when reheating, a temperature of at least 70 degrees should be reached.
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Buy fresh mushrooms
Since mushrooms are one of the foods that spoil quickly, you should pay attention to the freshness when buying them. Especially mushrooms packed in plastic packaging from the supermarket go bad within a short time. So, if possible, grab loose mushrooms and make sure they are free of mold. If the mushrooms feel spongy or slimy to the touch, smell foul, or have brown to black spots, stop eating them. Anyone who eats spoiled mushrooms can suffer from symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
Can you eat mushrooms raw?
Many types of mushrooms can also be eaten raw. These include cultivated mushrooms such as button mushrooms, shiitake, oyster mushrooms and king oyster mushrooms. Mushrooms should be cleaned particularly thoroughly before they are eaten raw. In addition, special attention should be paid to freshness. Sometimes it even makes sense to carefully remove the top skin of the mushrooms with a knife.