Should you wash mushrooms? A wash isn’t so bad after all…

There's a misconception that mushrooms are a sponge that will soak up water destroying their delicate texture if washed. Will a wash will significantly affect their texture? This just isn’t true. Think about other vegetables you wash with a higher water content, no issues there. Water absorption is more of a myth than reality.

If you regularly wash your produce, you know that a rinse can prevent you from becoming infected with food-borne illnesses like the nasty norovirus. It also reduces the chance of injesting dirt, insects and germs (think of the number of hands that touch your food before it gets to your kitchen). The same thinking pattern should be applied to mushrooms you buy from a store, farmers market or forager.

If you personally forage, a quick dunk in water and vinegar, a light scrub and a rinse before eating or storing should remove any dirt, pine needles or insects that may be lingering in your find. After the rinse, place your mushrooms on towels and pat dry. You can even give them a spin in your salad spinner. Make sure they are dry before storing.