Thread: Mushroom question

On Aug 14, 1:47*pm, rfd...@optonline.net wrote:
> I bought a couple of packages of sliced mushrooms on Friday to use in a stir fry
> dish tonight. They've sat on my counter for two days in their original
> packaging, which is a plastic container covered with plastic wrap. *They seem to
> be turning dark. Are they going bad after just two days? Are they alrightto
> use? I usually buy mushrooms the day I'm going to use them so I'm not used to
> seeing them sit for a couple of days. Are they safe to use? Thanks.

Use em fast.

In the future, immediately put mushrooms into a brown paper bag,
scrunch it up, and store in fridge for a few days.

<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]..
>I bought a couple of packages of sliced mushrooms on Friday to use in a
>stir fry
> dish tonight. They've sat on my counter for two days in their original
> packaging, which is a plastic container covered with plastic wrap. They
> seem to
> be turning dark. Are they going bad after just two days? Are they alright
> to
> use? I usually buy mushrooms the day I'm going to use them so I'm not used
> to
> seeing them sit for a couple of days. Are they safe to use? Thanks.

They're edible but drying out. They'll taste fine but might be a bit tough.
Probably not something you'd serve uncooked but would be fine in a stew or
sauce.

Paul

On Aug 14, 10:47*am, rfd...@optonline.net wrote:
> I bought a couple of packages of sliced mushrooms on Friday to use in a stir fry
> dish tonight. They've sat on my counter for two days in their original
> packaging, which is a plastic container covered with plastic wrap. *They seem to
> be turning dark. Are they going bad after just two days? Are they alrightto
> use? I usually buy mushrooms the day I'm going to use them so I'm not used to
> seeing them sit for a couple of days. Are they safe to use? Thanks.

well, leaving them on the counter probably exacerbated the problem.
Refrigerating them would have been better.

On Sun, 14 Aug 2011 13:47:47 -0400, [email protected] wrote:

>I bought a couple of packages of sliced mushrooms on Friday to use in a stir fry
>dish tonight. They've sat on my counter for two days in their original
>packaging, which is a plastic container covered with plastic wrap. They seem to
>be turning dark. Are they going bad after just two days? Are they alright to
>use? I usually buy mushrooms the day I'm going to use them so I'm not used to
>seeing them sit for a couple of days. Are they safe to use? Thanks.

why would you leave mushrooms out on the counter for any time at all?
They need to be kept cool and dark. They may be alright to use, but
don't be surprised if they are slippery/slimy after steaming away in a
closed plastic container. Don't do that again.
Janet US

Plastic wrapping is airtight enough to start fermentation in the
mushrooms kept at room temperature for more than a couple of hours. The
results can be a NASTY gastrointestinal upset. I just read an article on
an infectious diseases group this AM where the French health services
are warning seasonal wild mushroom gatherers against using plastic bags
for just this reason.... even just while gathering....

Refrigerate as soon as you get 'em home.......

Jo

On Sun, 14 Aug 2011 12:32:01 -0600, Janet Bostwick
<[email protected]> wrote:

> On Sun, 14 Aug 2011 13:47:47 -0400, [email protected] wrote:
>
> >I bought a couple of packages of sliced mushrooms on Friday to use in a stir fry
> >dish tonight. They've sat on my counter for two days in their original
> >packaging, which is a plastic container covered with plastic wrap. They seem to
> >be turning dark. Are they going bad after just two days? Are they alright to
> >use? I usually buy mushrooms the day I'm going to use them so I'm not used to
> >seeing them sit for a couple of days. Are they safe to use? Thanks.
>
> why would you leave mushrooms out on the counter for any time at all?
> They need to be kept cool and dark. They may be alright to use, but
> don't be surprised if they are slippery/slimy after steaming away in a
> closed plastic container. Don't do that again.

The OP probably is one who learns by doing.

--
I take life with a grain of salt, a slice of lemon and a shot of tequila.

On Sun, 14 Aug 2011 13:47:47 -0400, [email protected] wrote:

>I bought a couple of packages of sliced mushrooms on Friday to use in a stir fry
>dish tonight. They've sat on my counter for two days in their original
>packaging, which is a plastic container covered with plastic wrap. They seem to
>be turning dark. Are they going bad after just two days? Are they alright to
>use? I usually buy mushrooms the day I'm going to use them so I'm not used to
>seeing them sit for a couple of days. Are they safe to use? Thanks.

Thanks for all the replies. I'll put off my wok dish until tomorrow and buy new
mushrooms. And the reason I let them sit on the counter is because the produce
shelf where I found them in the store didn't seem to be refrigerated, so I
figured they didn't like the cold.

Another question is why is the package of whole (button) mushrooms I bought the
same day and are also on the counter, look about as fresh as the day I bought
them. I did open the plastic wrap to use a handful of them. Is it because they
weren't completely covered up? Thanks again.

On 8/14/2011 1:56 PM, rfdjr1@optonline.[email protected] wrote:

>
> Another question is why is the package of whole (button) mushrooms I bought the
> same day and are also on the counter, look about as fresh as the day I bought
> them. I did open the plastic wrap to use a handful of them. Is it because they
> weren't completely covered up? Thanks again.




Any sliced vegetable or fruit spoils or dries out quicker than if it
were whole. Because of the slicing, there's more surface area exposed
to air and bacteria. In addition many of the cells have been cut open
and are "leaking" moisture.

gloria p

On 8/14/2011 2:34 PM, Jo Wolf wrote:
> Plastic wrapping is airtight enough to start fermentation in the
> mushrooms kept at room temperature for more than a couple of hours. The
> results can be a NASTY gastrointestinal upset. I just read an article on
> an infectious diseases group this AM where the French health services
> are warning seasonal wild mushroom gatherers against using plastic bags
> for just this reason.... even just while gathering....
>
> Refrigerate as soon as you get 'em home.......
>
> Jo
>
They will last about two weeks in the fridge vegetable compartment.
After a week, they may have a slightly slimy feel but that can be
scrubbed off. You can even peel them if you wish.

--


James Silverton, Potomac

I'm *not* [email protected]

On Sun, 14 Aug 2011 15:56:59 -0400, [email protected] wrote:

snip And the reason I let them sit on the counter is because the
produce
>shelf where I found them in the store didn't seem to be refrigerated, so I
>figured they didn't like the cold.
>
snip
There are many different items of produce that are displayed without
refrigeration, but that doesn't mean that the produce doesn't suffer
from it. Covered refrigeration keeps your produce fresh and firm.
Janet US

On Sun, 14 Aug 2011 16:13:23 -0600, Janet Bostwick wrote:

> On Sun, 14 Aug 2011 15:56:59 -0400, [email protected] wrote:
>
> snip And the reason I let them sit on the counter is because the
> produce
>>shelf where I found them in the store didn't seem to be refrigerated, so I
>>figured they didn't like the cold.
>>
> snip
> There are many different items of produce that are displayed without
> refrigeration, but that doesn't mean that the produce doesn't suffer
> from it. Covered refrigeration keeps your produce fresh and firm.
> Janet US

This has got to be the dumbest thread I've ever bothered to read.
You can't find a mushroom within 5,000 miles of here in a grocery store
that isn't refrigerated.

Oh, there's no door? It's still refrigerated, and misted and tended to
relentlessly to maintain an appearance of freshness.

My god, have you never seen an open top freezer case at the store?
Same principal in the produce section.
Same with all the bacon, sausage, lunchmeat, etc. that needs to be
refrigerated, but also needs to be *very* accessible to the ignorant masses
who apparently can't see through glass.

The only occasion I've seen mushrooms unrefrigerated is at my local produce
stands and they're obviously rotated out on a daily basis as they always
look better than those in the grocery store.

Still, I have enough common sense to put them in the fridge when I get them
home if I'm not gonna eat them immediately.


The OP should look for rec.food.dumbass.beginner

TFM®

TFM® <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Sun, 14 Aug 2011 16:13:23 -0600, Janet Bostwick wrote:
>
>> On Sun, 14 Aug 2011 15:56:59 -0400, [email protected] wrote:
>>
>> snip And the reason I let them sit on the counter is because the
>> produce
>>> shelf where I found them in the store didn't seem to be refrigerated, so I
>>> figured they didn't like the cold.
>>>
>> snip
>> There are many different items of produce that are displayed without
>> refrigeration, but that doesn't mean that the produce doesn't suffer
>> from it. Covered refrigeration keeps your produce fresh and firm.
>> Janet US
>
> This has got to be the dumbest thread I've ever bothered to read.
> You can't find a mushroom within 5,000 miles of here in a grocery store
> that isn't refrigerated.
>
> Oh, there's no door? It's still refrigerated, and misted and tended to
> relentlessly to maintain an appearance of freshness.
>
> My god, have you never seen an open top freezer case at the store?
> Same principal in the produce section.
> Same with all the bacon, sausage, lunchmeat, etc. that needs to be
> refrigerated, but also needs to be *very* accessible to the ignorant masses
> who apparently can't see through glass.
>
> The only occasion I've seen mushrooms unrefrigerated is at my local produce
> stands and they're obviously rotated out on a daily basis as they always
> look better than those in the grocery store.
>
> Still, I have enough common sense to put them in the fridge when I get them
> home if I'm not gonna eat them immediately.
>
>
> The OP should look for rec.food.dumbass.beginner
>
> TFM®

You don't actually need to refrigerate them immediately if you're going to
use them within a day or two (or even three). Take them out of their
plastic package, put them in a paper bag, and add a small scrunch of barely
moistened paper towel. Close the bag tightly, and re-moisten the paper
towel after a day if things seem to be drying out. I wouldn't prolong this
beyond a few days.

On Sun, 14 Aug 2011 18:31:15 -0400, TFM® <[email protected]> wrote:

>On Sun, 14 Aug 2011 16:13:23 -0600, Janet Bostwick wrote:
>
>> On Sun, 14 Aug 2011 15:56:59 -0400, [email protected] wrote:
>>
>> snip And the reason I let them sit on the counter is because the
>> produce
>>>shelf where I found them in the store didn't seem to be refrigerated, so I
>>>figured they didn't like the cold.
>>>
>> snip
>> There are many different items of produce that are displayed without
>> refrigeration, but that doesn't mean that the produce doesn't suffer
>> from it. Covered refrigeration keeps your produce fresh and firm.
>> Janet US
>
>This has got to be the dumbest thread I've ever bothered to read.
>You can't find a mushroom within 5,000 miles of here in a grocery store
>that isn't refrigerated.
>
>Oh, there's no door? It's still refrigerated, and misted and tended to
>relentlessly to maintain an appearance of freshness.
>
>My god, have you never seen an open top freezer case at the store?
>Same principal in the produce section.
>Same with all the bacon, sausage, lunchmeat, etc. that needs to be
>refrigerated, but also needs to be *very* accessible to the ignorant masses
>who apparently can't see through glass.
>
>The only occasion I've seen mushrooms unrefrigerated is at my local produce
>stands and they're obviously rotated out on a daily basis as they always
>look better than those in the grocery store.
>
>Still, I have enough common sense to put them in the fridge when I get them
>home if I'm not gonna eat them immediately.
>
>
>The OP should look for rec.food.dumbass.beginner
>
>TFM®


Hey, why don't you go home to your un-married parents.

On Sun, 14 Aug 2011 22:38:46 +0000 (UTC), Hackmatack wrote:

> TFM® <[email protected]> wrote:
>> On Sun, 14 Aug 2011 16:13:23 -0600, Janet Bostwick wrote:
>>
>>> On Sun, 14 Aug 2011 15:56:59 -0400, [email protected] wrote:
>>>
>>> snip And the reason I let them sit on the counter is because the
>>> produce
>>>> shelf where I found them in the store didn't seem to be refrigerated, so I
>>>> figured they didn't like the cold.
>>>>
>>> snip
>>> There are many different items of produce that are displayed without
>>> refrigeration, but that doesn't mean that the produce doesn't suffer
>>> from it. Covered refrigeration keeps your produce fresh and firm.
>>> Janet US
>>
>> This has got to be the dumbest thread I've ever bothered to read.
>> You can't find a mushroom within 5,000 miles of here in a grocery store
>> that isn't refrigerated.
>>
>> Oh, there's no door? It's still refrigerated, and misted and tended to
>> relentlessly to maintain an appearance of freshness.
>>
>> My god, have you never seen an open top freezer case at the store?
>> Same principal in the produce section.
>> Same with all the bacon, sausage, lunchmeat, etc. that needs to be
>> refrigerated, but also needs to be *very* accessible to the ignorant masses
>> who apparently can't see through glass.
>>
>> The only occasion I've seen mushrooms unrefrigerated is at my local produce
>> stands and they're obviously rotated out on a daily basis as they always
>> look better than those in the grocery store.
>>
>> Still, I have enough common sense to put them in the fridge when I get them
>> home if I'm not gonna eat them immediately.
>>
>>
>> The OP should look for rec.food.dumbass.beginner
>>
>> TFM®
>
> You don't actually need to refrigerate them immediately if you're going to
> use them within a day or two (or even three). Take them out of their
> plastic package, put them in a paper bag, and add a small scrunch of barely
> moistened paper towel. Close the bag tightly, and re-moisten the paper
> towel after a day if things seem to be drying out. I wouldn't prolong this
> beyond a few days.

I will agree with you that the plastic wrap from the store is a death
sentence for them.

Paper bags are pretty scarce around here. I suppose I could ask the
water-head bag boy for a few extra next time I shop.

Or I could just steal a handful on my way out as I always grocery shop on
my bike. Good luck running me down or reporting me on that.

"It was a really sweaty dude with a blue helmet... He stole some paper
bags and hauled ass."

TFM®

TFM®

TFM® <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Sun, 14 Aug 2011 22:38:46 +0000 (UTC), Hackmatack wrote:
>
>> TFM® <[email protected]> wrote:
>>> On Sun, 14 Aug 2011 16:13:23 -0600, Janet Bostwick wrote:
>>>
>>>> On Sun, 14 Aug 2011 15:56:59 -0400, [email protected] wrote:
>>>>
>>>> snip And the reason I let them sit on the counter is because the
>>>> produce
>>>>> shelf where I found them in the store didn't seem to be refrigerated, so I
>>>>> figured they didn't like the cold.
>>>>>
>>>> snip
>>>> There are many different items of produce that are displayed without
>>>> refrigeration, but that doesn't mean that the produce doesn't suffer
>>>> from it. Covered refrigeration keeps your produce fresh and firm.
>>>> Janet US
>>>
>>> This has got to be the dumbest thread I've ever bothered to read.
>>> You can't find a mushroom within 5,000 miles of here in a grocery store
>>> that isn't refrigerated.
>>>
>>> Oh, there's no door? It's still refrigerated, and misted and tended to
>>> relentlessly to maintain an appearance of freshness.
>>>
>>> My god, have you never seen an open top freezer case at the store?
>>> Same principal in the produce section.
>>> Same with all the bacon, sausage, lunchmeat, etc. that needs to be
>>> refrigerated, but also needs to be *very* accessible to the ignorant masses
>>> who apparently can't see through glass.
>>>
>>> The only occasion I've seen mushrooms unrefrigerated is at my local produce
>>> stands and they're obviously rotated out on a daily basis as they always
>>> look better than those in the grocery store.
>>>
>>> Still, I have enough common sense to put them in the fridge when I get them
>>> home if I'm not gonna eat them immediately.
>>>
>>>
>>> The OP should look for rec.food.dumbass.beginner
>>>
>>> TFM®
>>
>> You don't actually need to refrigerate them immediately if you're going to
>> use them within a day or two (or even three). Take them out of their
>> plastic package, put them in a paper bag, and add a small scrunch of barely
>> moistened paper towel. Close the bag tightly, and re-moisten the paper
>> towel after a day if things seem to be drying out. I wouldn't prolong this
>> beyond a few days.
>
> I will agree with you that the plastic wrap from the store is a death
> sentence for them.
>
> Paper bags are pretty scarce around here. I suppose I could ask the
> water-head bag boy for a few extra next time I shop.
>
> Or I could just steal a handful on my way out as I always grocery shop on
> my bike. Good luck running me down or reporting me on that.
>
> "It was a really sweaty dude with a blue helmet... He stole some paper
> bags and hauled ass."
>
> TFM®
>
> TFM®

Mushrooms will breathe -- i.e. exude moisture. That's why relatively
air-tight plastic is bad for longer storage, trapping moisture and
promoting either slimy or moldy mushrooms after a day or two. On the other
hand, just leaving them out in the air will dry them out and turn them
brown. Actually it sounds a bit like storing garlic. You need a breathable
container with enough moisture.

On Sun, 14 Aug 2011 13:47:47 -0400, [email protected] wrote:

>I bought a couple of packages of sliced mushrooms on Friday to use in a stir fry
>dish tonight. They've sat on my counter for two days in their original
>packaging, which is a plastic container covered with plastic wrap. They seem to
>be turning dark. Are they going bad after just two days? Are they alright to
>use? I usually buy mushrooms the day I'm going to use them so I'm not used to
>seeing them sit for a couple of days. Are they safe to use? Thanks.

After only two days they're okay for soup, even sauteeing so long as
they're not slimey (sliced discolor quickly) but next time refrigerate
them, and even in the fridge they will keep well only like 4-5 days.
If you need to keep them a few days longer buy whole mushrooms, sliced
don't keep well. I would have used them within 24 hours... fresh
mushrooms get delivered to market every day.. next time don't buy
until you're ready to use them. If you want mushrooms on hand until
you're in the mood keep dehydrated mushrooms in your pantry, in most
cooked dishes they work better than fresh.

On Sun, 14 Aug 2011 22:38:46 +0000 (UTC), Hackmatack
<[email protected]> wrote:

>TFM® <[email protected]> wrote:
>> On Sun, 14 Aug 2011 16:13:23 -0600, Janet Bostwick wrote:
>>
>>> On Sun, 14 Aug 2011 15:56:59 -0400, [email protected] wrote:
>>>
>>> snip And the reason I let them sit on the counter is because the
>>> produce
>>>> shelf where I found them in the store didn't seem to be refrigerated, so I
>>>> figured they didn't like the cold.
>>>>
>>> snip
>>> There are many different items of produce that are displayed without
>>> refrigeration, but that doesn't mean that the produce doesn't suffer
>>> from it. Covered refrigeration keeps your produce fresh and firm.
>>> Janet US
>>
>> This has got to be the dumbest thread I've ever bothered to read.
>> You can't find a mushroom within 5,000 miles of here in a grocery store
>> that isn't refrigerated.
>>
>> Oh, there's no door? It's still refrigerated, and misted and tended to
>> relentlessly to maintain an appearance of freshness.
>>
>> My god, have you never seen an open top freezer case at the store?
>> Same principal in the produce section.
>> Same with all the bacon, sausage, lunchmeat, etc. that needs to be
>> refrigerated, but also needs to be *very* accessible to the ignorant masses
>> who apparently can't see through glass.
>>
>> The only occasion I've seen mushrooms unrefrigerated is at my local produce
>> stands and they're obviously rotated out on a daily basis as they always
>> look better than those in the grocery store.
>>
>> Still, I have enough common sense to put them in the fridge when I get them
>> home if I'm not gonna eat them immediately.
>>
>>
>> The OP should look for rec.food.dumbass.beginner
>>
>> TFM®
>
>You don't actually need to refrigerate them immediately if you're going to
>use them within a day or two (or even three). Take them out of their
>plastic package, put them in a paper bag, and add a small scrunch of barely
>moistened paper towel. Close the bag tightly, and re-moisten the paper
>towel after a day if things seem to be drying out. I wouldn't prolong this
>beyond a few days.

Whether mushrooms should be refrigerted depends on ambient
temperature... if one lives in NY and buys mushrooms in winter and
keeps their abode minimally heated it's probably best to keep
mushrooms out on the counter, 65ºF is better than 35ºF in the fridge.
But if you live in say Florida or Texhell it's probably best to
refrigerate everything at all times. Here in NY mushrooms are
typically not refrigerated in the produce department, usually they are
simply placed in a cooled humidified area same as those bagged salad
greens and herbs, typically about 60-65ºF. Btw, I wouild never ever
buy sliced fresh 'shrooms.

On Sun, 14 Aug 2011 18:52:55 -0400, [email protected] wrote:

> On Sun, 14 Aug 2011 18:31:15 -0400, TFM® <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>On Sun, 14 Aug 2011 16:13:23 -0600, Janet Bostwick wrote:
>>
>>> On Sun, 14 Aug 2011 15:56:59 -0400, [email protected] wrote:
>>>
>>> snip And the reason I let them sit on the counter is because the
>>> produce
>>>>shelf where I found them in the store didn't seem to be refrigerated, so I
>>>>figured they didn't like the cold.
>>>>
>>> snip
>>> There are many different items of produce that are displayed without
>>> refrigeration, but that doesn't mean that the produce doesn't suffer
>>> from it. Covered refrigeration keeps your produce fresh and firm.
>>> Janet US
>>
>>This has got to be the dumbest thread I've ever bothered to read.
>>You can't find a mushroom within 5,000 miles of here in a grocery store
>>that isn't refrigerated.
>>
>>Oh, there's no door? It's still refrigerated, and misted and tended to
>>relentlessly to maintain an appearance of freshness.
>>
>>My god, have you never seen an open top freezer case at the store?
>>Same principal in the produce section.
>>Same with all the bacon, sausage, lunchmeat, etc. that needs to be
>>refrigerated, but also needs to be *very* accessible to the ignorant masses
>>who apparently can't see through glass.
>>
>>The only occasion I've seen mushrooms unrefrigerated is at my local produce
>>stands and they're obviously rotated out on a daily basis as they always
>>look better than those in the grocery store.
>>
>>Still, I have enough common sense to put them in the fridge when I get them
>>home if I'm not gonna eat them immediately.
>>
>>
>>The OP should look for rec.food.dumbass.beginner
>>
>>TFM®
>
>
> Hey, why don't you go home to your un-married parents.


I'm already there. I live in my mother's basement with my gerbil ranch.

Be nice, I'm only 13, in a wheelchair and have a brain tumor.


TFM®

Brooklyn1 <Gravesend1> wrote:
> On Sun, 14 Aug 2011 22:38:46 +0000 (UTC), Hackmatack

> Whether mushrooms should be refrigerted depends on ambient
> temperature... if one lives in NY and buys mushrooms in winter and
> keeps their abode minimally heated it's probably best to keep
> mushrooms out on the counter, 65ºF is better than 35ºF in the fridge.
> But if you live in say Florida or Texhell it's probably best to
> refrigerate everything at all times. Here in NY mushrooms are
> typically not refrigerated in the produce department, usually they are
> simply placed in a cooled humidified area same as those bagged salad
> greens and herbs, typically about 60-65ºF. Btw, I wouild never ever
> buy sliced fresh 'shrooms.

Sliced are a complete waste of money, however tempting in time saved,
unless you actually like pre-dried rubber. Don't like to slice mushrooms?
Use an egg slicer (but be sure it's the sturdy kind).