Drying mushrooms in a dehydrator is an excellent way of preserving it and making it available for consumption all-round the year – regardless of being a seasonal plant. Mushrooms are healthy, edible plants that many people crave for. Lots of restaurants and cuisines add it to their different recipes and dishes.
However, drying mushrooms is a process everyone should be familiar with. You can purchase fresh mushrooms when they are in season and dry them for future use. There are several ways people dry mushrooms and the most popular ones include drying mushrooms in a dehydrator, an oven or air-drying the mushrooms.
In this article, we’ll explain drying mushrooms in a dehydrator, but first, let’s see what a food dehydrator is.
What is a Food Dehydrator?
A food dehydrator is an electrical appliance that removes moisture from food items in order to preserve it for long-term purpose. Several foods can be dehydrated and put on the shelves, these include dried mangos, beef jerky, apply chips, coconut flakes, mango flakes and others.
Food dehydrators use heated air flow to reduce the moisture or water content in a food item. This process disallows bacteria from taking over which results in spoilage. Generally, dehydrating food helps to retain the nutrients in them and extend their shelf life.
Since food dehydrators often dry foods at 130 °F (54 °C), they remain safe for consumption. Although different temperatures are applied to different food items, beef jerky for instance is dried at a higher temperature.
Drying mushrooms in a dehydrator
The first step is choosing fresh mushrooms that are in their best conditions and with no spots or mold. Only edible mushrooms should be dried, check out different species to know which ones are safe for consumption.
It is vital to start mushroom drying with clean hands, equipment and surfaces. You should also clean out the mushrooms before drying them in a dehydrator. You can use a clean kitchen towel or soft brush to remove the dirt.
The next thing to do is to cut the mushrooms into pieces – this could be ¼ slices. Then arrange them on the trays you’ll find in your dehydrator. You should space the mushrooms out to allow them dry adequately.
Following the arrangement, put the trays in the dehydrator and dry at 125F/52C for 3-8 hours. The extent of the moisture will determine how long the mushrooms will stay in the dehydrator.
Once fully dried, store the mushrooms in a container and put them on the shelf or in a cool, dark place.