How to Select Fresh Mushrooms

Learn how to select the highest quality mushroom at your local grocery store.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Grocery Store
• Brown Paper Bag

1. Pick a Store
   Make your way to any of your favourite grocery store, whether it be Dominion, Fortino’s or Sobey’s, most large grocery store carry fresh mushrooms.

2. Selecting your Mushrooms
   To select the highest quality mushroom possible, make sure that the container or bulk box states “Product of Canada.”
   Decide whether you would like to purchase bulk mushrooms or pre-packaged mushrooms.

3. Purchasing Bulk Mushrooms
   If purchasing your mushrooms in bulk, make sure that there are brown paper bags handy to put your mushrooms in. Fresh mushrooms should always be stored in a brown paper bag. When selecting from bulk mushrooms, you should look for mushrooms that are firm to the touch, have a slightly shiny surface, and are not dried out.

4. Purchasing Packaged Mushrooms
   If purchasing packaged mushrooms, you want to select a package that is on, or close to the top of the display. There should not be to much condensation on the inside of the package, and the mushrooms should not appear “soggy.”

Tips & Warnings

• Most stores offer brown paper bags with the bulk mushrooms, but if there are none on display, simply ask the produce manager.
• You may find that on some bulk mushrooms there may be particles that look like dirt. This not dirt, in fact it is sterilized peat moss, and is part of the substrate that mushrooms grow in. It is harmless, and can simply be brushed or rinsed off before use.
• Even when buying mushroom in a package it is always a good idea to grab a brown paper bag. If you only use half the package for your breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you should store the remaining half in a brown paper bag in the fridge,they will last longer and you will get your money’s worth.

Resources

• Mushroom Care & Handling

[soanyway]

on 6/15/2009 I wonder if California has mushrooms from Canada? Great tips on mushrooms! We don't have brown paper bags by our produce. But I think we should....we have these flimsy plastic stupid things! Welcome to eHow. I have recomn'd you. Pay it forward to all! ;-)