How to Soak Dried Mushrooms

Dried mushrooms are one of the best greens out there, though you can’t classify them as a vegetable. They belong to the fungi kingdom and are loaded with nutrients. If you are a vegan, then the nutritional benefits of mushrooms are something that you cannot ignore.

Mushrooms are rich in Riboflavin and Niacin, which are essential vitamins that cannot be found in other vegetables. Mushrooms also have a fair bit of potassium and selenium, both of which are essential to your nervous system.

When you dry your mushrooms, you basically dehydrate them to condense their flavours. The main point of drying mushrooms is to keep them fresh over a longer period. Dehydrated and dried mushrooms also do not need to be refrigerated, so you can keep them in your pantry without any problems.

Why Should You Soak Dried Mushrooms?

There are different mushrooms, each with its benefits and uses. Some mushrooms are allergenic, and some that are toxic. Their nutritional benefits are the same, and their drawbacks are also the same.

The biggest problem with mushrooms is their shelf life. As explained above, you have to dry mushrooms to get the best nutrition out of them later on. However, once you dry your mushrooms, you can’t just put them back into a pot and expect them to cook properly.

Cooking dried mushrooms require a certain degree of preparation. One of the main processes that need to be overlooked for cooking mushrooms is soaking them. Even fresh mushrooms need to be soaked to reduce their bitterness.

How to Soak Dried Mushrooms

The soaking method for dried mushrooms is quite simple; even novices won’t have any problem following this method. You will only need some water, a large pot and some dried mushrooms. The method varies slightly based on whether you want to soak your mushrooms overnight or for short periods.

Irrespective of the method, you will have to wash your mushrooms carefully and submerge them in the water. Once submerged, you will let them soak in the water for as long as possible, especially if you are using cold water. One good way of checking whether your dried mushrooms are hydrated is by poking them with a fork or a pick.

Soaking Dried Mushrooms in Water

Water is the main thing we use to soak dried mushrooms; why? Water is more efficient at hydrating dried mushrooms compared to other mediums. Water also happens to be the most easily found medium.

The method for soaking mushrooms also happens to be simplest with water. You only need to have a bit of control over the temperature of your kitchen. Once soaked, you can use them to make Gyoza, Mushroom Chicken, or any other dish.

How Long To Soak Dried Mushrooms

The time you soak dried mushrooms for is entirely based on the recipe you are following and the nutritional benefits you want. The healthier you want your dried mushrooms to be, the more you should soak them.

One thing that you have to keep in mind is the conditions that you are soaking your mushrooms in, specifically the temperature. If you are using lukewarm water, a 30 minutes soak should be enough for your mushrooms. If you are soaking them overnight, then keep the temperature cool.

Can You Soak Dried Mushrooms Overnight?

You can soak your dried mushrooms overnight, and many people do soak their mushrooms overnight. The main reason for that is the texture and nutritional benefits of an overnight soak. Also, there is no harm in soaking your mushrooms overnight.

The soaking method is very similar to the standard soaking methods. The only difference is the temperature for an overnight soak. You will have to keep the dried mushrooms soaked in cold temperature, ideally in a refrigerator.

How to Soak Dried Mushrooms Fast

As stated above, the quick soak method for dried mushrooms is getting some hot water. You soak your dried mushrooms in hot water for 20 to 30 minutes. By the end of the soaking period, your dried mushrooms will be perfectly hydrated, like sponges that have soaked up water.

If you want to decrease the soaking time, get some canned mushrooms. The best brands of canned mushrooms are Native Forest Organic Sliced Portobello Mushrooms, Giorgio Whole Sliced Mushrooms and Native Forest Mushroom Pieces and Stems. All of these are the best and need almost no prep time.

Sources

• The-Spruce-Eats
• The-Kitchn
• The-Mom-100