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Can You Freeze Mushroom Tea to Extend Its Shelf Life?
Mushroom tea is an enjoyable way to take advantage of the medicinal properties of various mushroom varieties. As they simmer in hot water, their earthy flavors and medicinal benefits release into the boiling liquid – providing an herbal tonic you can enjoy for weeks or even months when stored properly. But what happens when there are more mushrooms than necessary? Could freezing mushroom tea extend its shelf life?
Mushrooms have a limited shelf life when stored raw, especially if exposed to light and air. To extend their shelf life and preserve quality while preventing loss of moisture when frozen, the best practice for mushroom storage is steam blanching or sauteing prior to freezing. This helps preserve quality while preventing loss of moisture when frozen.
If you have extra mushrooms left after prepping them for freezing, be sure to store them in an airtight container or plastic bag to help avoid freezer burn and ensure an even defrost process. It may also be wise to divide them up into small batches for easier unthawing when needed for recipes.
Freezing groceries is an efficient and cost-saving method that also helps eliminate food waste. This technique is especially helpful when purchasing fresh mushrooms on sale; stock up and freeze for later use! Just ensure they are thoroughly cooked or they may become unpleasant texture upon thawing out.
Freezing mushroom-infused drinks like smoothies or soup can extend their shelf life and help add the health benefits of mushrooms into any diet without the time-intensive preparation required for mushroom tea. This method also saves space when traveling.
Before freezing mushrooms, be sure to test for their freshness. A simple method for this is breaking off a cap and seeing if it snaps cleanly; any rubbery or mushy pieces should be composted instead of frozen. Inspect them carefully for signs of mold; any foul smell or discolored patches of white or yellow indicates they need to be discarded immediately. Alternatively, marinate or powder them instead for easier storage in your freezer for up to 12 months.