Cleaning Mushrooms

[TigerBlood]

How do most you guys clean your finds? I believe the purists state you should only brush them off. But, as a germaphobe, I've been soaking them in water overnight to bring the dirt and bugs floating to the top. It looks like a lot of experienced people post on here, so I'm curious to read if there are different/better methods.

[Bureaucrat]

I just give mine a rinse. Any additional dirt I eat is a mineral bonus for me. I assume we're talking about Morels? If so, if you get them fresh enough, there won't be any bugs to wash out. It's when you pick some that have spots "you can cut off" then you'll have some hitchhikers to worry about.

Lastly, Don't get new dirt in your bag in the first place. Cut your morel a tad bit above ground so you don't bring dirt with you. Also, if you're into harvesting wild onions, keep them in a separate bag.

[NoWiser]

I also wash mine. I cut them in half and throw them into a sink full of water, swish them around a bit, drain, and repeat. If they were pretty clean to begin with I call it good enough. If they were on the dirty side to begin with I take each piece individually and use the sprayer on the sink to blast the dirt out. I'm not sure if it affects the taste or not but I hate hitting grit in my mushrooms. I give a lot of mine away and don't want anyone else eating dirt either.

[TigerBlood]

I just give mine a rinse. Any additional dirt I eat is a mineral bonus for me. I assume we're talking about Morels? If so, if you get them fresh enough, there won't be any bugs to wash out. It's when you pick some that have spots "you can cut off" then you'll have some hitchhikers to worry about.

Lastly, Don't get new dirt in your bag in the first place. Cut your morel a tad bit above ground so you don't bring dirt with you. Also, if you're into harvesting wild onions, keep them in a separate bag.

Good advice on not bringing dirt into the bag. Yes, I was primarily talking about morels, but it applies to any mushroom. Morels seem to catch more dirt though due to their shape. Thanks for tips.

[TigerBlood]

No Wiser - that's pretty much my same technique except I soak them overnight. You'd be suprised what you find floating ontop the next morning! :-)

[pushbutton]

Am a "washer" for sure. Sometimes a soaker, suppose it depends on the shroom.... more so the potentially wormy ones. As mentioned how you cut and transfer is key. Also no need to take everything one finds. The more you do this you will start to pass up ones that questionable or will take a lot of time cleaning/processing.

[harvey lee]

I also wash mine. I cut them in half and throw them into a sink full of water, swish them around a bit, drain, and repeat. If they were pretty clean to begin with I call it good enough. If they were on the dirty side to begin with I take each piece individually and use the sprayer on the sink to blast the dirt out. I'm not sure if it affects the taste or not but I hate hitting grit in my mushrooms. I give a lot of mine away and don't want anyone else eating dirt either.

+1.

I hate any grit left. I have washed them lightly and also washed them 2-3 times and I have never noticed less of a flovor in the ones washed numerous times or soaked for an hour.