🍄 The Reason Why You Should Never Wash Mushrooms Before Cooking or Storing Them
By Ilaria Canevara
Never wash mushrooms before storing or cooking them. Their porous texture absorbs water like a sponge, which leads to soggy, mushy results that ruin both their flavor and texture. Instead, gently clean them with a brush or damp paper towel to preserve their quality. Keeping mushrooms dry ensures they stay crisp, earthy, and delicious in your dishes.
Mushrooms: Earthy, Magical, and… Tricky to Clean
Mushrooms are a beloved ingredient, especially during the cozy months of fall and winter. Their rich, hearty flavor can be the star of any dish—from creamy soups to savory risottos. With their unique shapes and earthy essence, mushrooms are nature’s little surprises, bringing forest magic into your kitchen.
But here’s the catch: mushrooms are notoriously difficult to clean. Dirt clings to them like a needy ex, and the temptation to rinse them under the tap is strong. Unfortunately, doing so might ruin everything that makes them so delightful.
Mushrooms: Nature’s Sponges
Mushrooms aren’t just funky fungi—they’re spongy little marvels. Their porous structure means they absorb water quickly and in large amounts. When you rinse them under running water, they soak up that moisture, and that’s bad news come cooking time.
Instead of developing a beautiful, golden sear, wet mushrooms end up steaming in the pan. The result? Mushy, sad mushrooms lacking in both flavor and texture. No one wants a mushroom sauna (seriously, don’t try it).
And because mushrooms are already 80–90% water, adding more moisture just dilutes their naturally rich, earthy taste. The result is bland, watery mushrooms—and that’s just criminal in the kitchen.
