After harvesting or picking mushrooms, it’s important to dry and store them properly to remove their moisture so they don’t spoil. Excess moisture will cause mushrooms to decompose and rot, and then they won’t be safe to consume. Although mushrooms can be stored wet, we recommend drying them as they’ll keep better. Wet mushrooms need to be consumed within a few days.
Once dry, mushrooms need to be kept in a dark place with moderate temperature and humidity to preserve their life. Light and oxygen will degrade shrooms much faster, so it’s best to try to minimize exposure as much as possible. Keeping mushrooms dry and in airtight containers will also prevent the growth of mold or bacteria, which will cause your mushrooms to go bad.
How long do shrooms last?
Dried shrooms can stay potent for a long time, up to several months or a year if properly stored, before potency will start to go down. Wet mushrooms need to be refrigerated and will go bad after a few days.
Are expired shrooms dangerous?
Magic mushrooms, like any mushrooms, can develop mold or bacteria over time and if they’re not stored properly. Consuming some molds can cause an allergic reaction or respiratory problems in some people, so if your magic mushrooms have visible mold on them, do not consume them.
Shrooms will lose potency over time, but the old age of a mushroom won’t necessarily influence the effects you feel. If anything, they will just be less potent.
How to dry magic mushrooms
Air drying shrooms is the easiest, cheapest, and best way to dry them, and it ensures a slow and consistent dry shroom. You can also use a food dehydrator if you’re strapped for time, but of course, it’s a more expensive method.
Air drying shrooms takes about 1-3 days. Drying should take place in a moderately warm space, ideally between 60-70°F, with humidity between 55-65%. Make sure to keep mushrooms out of direct sunlight.
To air dry mushrooms, it’s best to lay them out on a wire rack, so they can dry out from all sides evenly. If you don’t have a wire rack, lay them on a clean cloth and be sure to flip them over every few hours. You’ll know mushrooms are done drying when you can easily snap the stem. If they still bend, give them some more time.
If it’s taking a while to dry mushrooms, you might consider putting a fan on them for better ventilation. We do not recommend putting them in the oven or using another heat source to help them dry, as they can dry out too quickly or even burn. A slow, even dry is best.
Dehydrator
You can also use a dehydrator to dry your magic mushrooms, but we recommend air-drying them for a low and slow approach. When using a dehydrator, you’ll have to watch them closely.
All dehydrators are different, but set yours to a low temperature and check your mushrooms after an hour. If they seem like they’re getting close to finishing but aren’t quite there, put them back in and check every 10-15 minutes thereafter.
Best methods of storing dried and fresh, wet shrooms
Here are a few ways to store magic mushrooms—and the pros and cons of each. However you decide to store them, be sure to keep them in a dark place.
Storing shrooms in airtight containers
This is the best way to store magic mushrooms and how we recommend you go about it. Oxygen will cause mushrooms to degrade quickly, and they’ll dry out and lose potency much faster. An airtight mason jar or bottle will be much more effective at keeping out oxygen than a Ziploc bag. Be sure to store them in a dark place in a room with moderate temperature, ideally between 60-70°F.
How to store wet (fresh) mushrooms
If you can’t dry your magic mushrooms, you can store them wet in the fridge for a few days. But bear in mind, they’ll only keep for a week or so, just like any culinary mushroom. After that, they’ll start to rot or decompose and may develop mold or bacteria.
You can also try drying mushrooms after they’ve been in the fridge for a few days and haven’t spoiled.
