What are dehydrated mushrooms?
Dehydrated mushrooms don’t give you the same texture and robust flavor as fresh mushrooms still, but they are an excellent food to stock in the kitchen. It has made cooking easy as not only their shelf life is longer, but they also maintain their nutritional value. As we know, mushroom harvesting can be done during certain times of the year. So dehydrated mushroom powder allows you to add them to your food any time of the year.
How to dehydrate your mushrooms?
The first step is to make your mushrooms dried before you turn them into nutritious powder. There are many options available in supermarkets for dried mushrooms, but people like to do it themselves; because this is the best method to save some money.
Check out the link on natural colors for more information.
Making powder from dried mushrooms
It’s time to wipe the dust off your food processor once your mushrooms are properly dried. Now put your dried mushrooms in the processor and turn them into fine powder. I would recommend pulsing on and off for 15-20 secs to break big pieces. Then let it settle for some time as the blending process can form a cloud of dust.
Removing of chunks
Even though you have done a thorough blend, small chunks may remain in the powder. To remove chunks of dried mushrooms place a big bowl below your stainer and pour the powder into the mesh.
This way you will get some small pieces that can be good for the second round of blending.
Choosing the right container
The storage container plays a vital role in maintaining the shelf life of dehydrated mushroom powder. I would recommend using an airtight jar for maximum shelf life. Now storing the container in a cool and dry place is also very important, as heat and light can damage the powder.
Hence, store the jar away from direct heat and light like you would like your potatoes to be stored. If properly stored, dried mushrooms can have a much longer shelf life than fresh mushrooms.
Mushroom powder and its applications
Now that your mushroom powder is ready! let’s use it in some foodstuffs.
Where it can blend excellently:
- Smoothies and shakes
- Soup
- Broth
- Gravy
- Sauces
- Yogurt
- Breakfast cereal
Also, you can add it to your favorite recipes.
Keep the mushrooms coming!
Now that you know how to make mushroom powder at home, you can do wonders to your food. Though mushroom powder has some nutritious value, it cannot be a replacement for the benefits and taste of fresh mushrooms. You can Google various recipes on the internet to make your food mouthwatering. You can add some to your soups, sauces, salads, pasta, and stir-fries for a hint of flavor. If you have a sweet tooth doesn’t worry; it goes well with sweet dishes as well. Also, you can add some to your coffee to offset acidity and disrupted digestion.
