In this brief guide, we are going to answer the question “Can out-of-date mushrooms make you sick?” with an in-depth analysis of reasons for which you shouldn’t avoid using out-of-date mushrooms and signs of bad mushrooms? Moreover, we are going to discuss the storage and preparation method of mushrooms.
Can out-of-date mushrooms make you sick?
Yes! Out of date mushrooms can make you sick. Even if they seem okay, you shouldn’t consume them.
Why you shouldn’t eat out-of-date mushrooms?
There are several reasons due to which you shouldn’t consume out of date mushrooms, such as;
1. According to Consumer Health Digest, eating mushrooms can cause botulism. This is a fatal disease. Symptoms of botulism include;
- Difficulty in breathing
- Vomiting
- Paralysis
2. Old mushrooms if they aren’t thoroughly cleaned and eaten can also cause E.coli infection due to the presence of E.coli.
Symptoms of E.coli infection include
- abdominal pain
- vomiting
- diarrhea
3. Eating old mushrooms can also lead to salmonella infection. It deteriorates your digestive system very badly.
How to avoid getting sick from mushrooms?
To protect yourself from getting sick by eating mushrooms;
- Always notice how long it has taken your mushroom to be in the fridge.
- Store mushrooms very carefully, properly and safely.
- Don’t consume any mushroom if it seems smelly, slimy or darker.
What are the signs of bad mushrooms?
If you want to know whether your mushrooms have gone bad or not, you can do It easily by noticing some signs such as;
- If your mushrooms seem dried out, it means they are at the edge of spoilage. Try to use them as soon as possible.
- Always cut the bruise parts of the mushrooms. If your mushrooms have turned dark or brown or molds have grown on them, they are spoiled.
- If mushrooms have a pungent smell instead of a sweet smell, it is also an indication of bad mushrooms.
Always through bad mushrooms in the dustbin before they spoil the rest of the food in the fridge or make you sick by consuming them.
How long do mushrooms last?
If the mushrooms have been kept in the refrigerator, the shelf life of mushrooms is as follows;
- Fresh whole mushrooms 7-10 days
- Fresh sliced mushrooms 5-7 days
- Cooked mushrooms 7-10 days
- Dried mushrooms 2-3 years
How to properly store mushrooms?
To properly and safely store the mushrooms, follow the instructions given below;
- Store the mushrooms on the shelf of the fridge and the temperature of the fridge should be kept below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Don’t take off the packing of the mushrooms before storing them.
- As their packaging is made in a way to protect them from moisture with the provision of ventilation.
- Make a hole in the packing of the mushroom to get the mushrooms out of it and then cover the rest of them.
- Keep mushrooms in sealable bags where ventilation is available to them.
- Avoid making contact between mushrooms and meat or any seafood to avoid its contamination.
How are mushrooms cooked?
Required ingredients:
Following are the ingredients that are needed to make mushrooms;
- 8 ounces mushrooms such as cremini, shitake, or Portobello (about 2 1/2 cups chopped or sliced)
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt or more to taste
- Fresh ground black pepper
Optionally you can also add;
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves or 1/2 teaspoon dried
- 1 tablespoon fresh grated lemon zest
- Juice of half a lemon
Preparation:
- Wipe the mushrooms to clean them.
- Remove hard stems from the mushrooms and cut them into ¼ inches of slices.
- If you are using portobello mushrooms, then cut them into ¼ inch of cubes.
- Season a skillet on medium heat using olive oil.
- Cook for 3_5 minutes or till the time they turn brown.
- Then stir it to cook on the other side for 3_5 minutes.
- Use some salt and pepper to sprinkle on it. Seasoning with salt and pepper should be done according to your taste.
What are the possible health risks of using mushrooms?
If mushrooms are wild, they make your dishes delicious but if you have eaten toxin mushrooms, you can be caught by fatal health problems.
High levels of heavy metals and many other harmful chemicals are also present in some wild mushrooms.
That’s why you should always buy mushrooms from reliable sources.
How to buy mushrooms?
- When you are buying mushrooms, always choose the dry and unbruised mushrooms.
- Keep them in the refrigerator.
- Don’t rinse them unless it’s not the time to cook them.
Here are the tips for preparing and serving mushrooms.
Conclusion:
In this brief guide, we answered the question “Can out-of-date mushrooms make you sick?” with an in-depth analysis of reasons for which you shouldn’t avoid using out-of-date mushrooms and signs of bad mushrooms? Moreover, we discussed the storage and preparation method of mushrooms.