Master the art of mushroom drying with these expert tips

Drying mushrooms is one of the oldest and most effective methods of preserving these forest gifts. Well-dried mushrooms can delight us with their taste and aroma for many months, enriching dishes, especially in winter. However, for this process to go correctly, proper preparation of mushrooms for drying is crucial – particularly their slicing. Only when my uncle, a forester with many years of experience, showed me how to slice mushrooms did I realise I had been doing it wrong my whole life.

Anyone who has ever attempted drying mushrooms knows that this process requires time and patience. Regardless of the chosen method—electric dryer, oven, or traditional sun drying—the key to success is the even removal of water from the mushrooms. What determines whether our dried mushrooms will be perfect is their proper preparation before drying, specifically how precisely we slice them.

At first, it seemed to me that slicing mushrooms was straightforward—a few knife movements and done. Unfortunately, my mushrooms often ended up being too dry and crumbling at the slightest touch or, conversely, remaining soft and flexible after many hours of drying. A conversation with my uncle, who has collected and dried countless mushrooms in his life, made me realise where I was going wrong.

The secret lies in the thickness: The optimal thickness of mushroom slices is about 5 millimetres. This ensures even drying and maintains the proper consistency of dried mushrooms.

Do not wash mushrooms before drying: We might be tempted to wash mushrooms before drying, but this is a big mistake. Excess water significantly extends the drying time and can lead to mould growth. It is enough to gently clean mushrooms with a soft brush, removing dirt.

How to slice different types of mushrooms:

• Smaller mushrooms: They can be cut in half.
• Larger mushrooms: They should be sliced into pieces about 5 millimetres thick.
• Caps and stems: Both caps and stems can be dried.

After appropriately slicing the mushrooms, we can proceed to dry. The most popular methods are:

• Natural drying: Spread the mushrooms on baking paper and dry them in a warm, dry, and airy place.
• Oven drying: Place the mushrooms on a baking tray lined with baking paper and dry them in an oven preheated to a low temperature (around 50°C).
• Drying in a vegetable and fruit dryer is the most convenient method, as it allows precise setting of temperature and drying time.

Proper preparation of mushrooms for drying is the key to obtaining tasty and aromatic dried products. Remember about the proper thickness of slicing, gentle cleaning, and choosing the right drying method. This way, we can enjoy the taste of the forest all year round.