Mushroom teas are enjoying an unprecedented surge in popularity. Chaga to lion’s mane mushrooms have long been touted as immune boosters and mood enhancers; now more functional mushrooms than ever are being integrated into tea blends to provide potential immunity boosting, anticancer, and mood improving benefits.

But just how long do these fungi last in the refrigerator? Read on and we will cover factors influencing their shelf life as well as ways to extend its useful lifespan.

Fresh Mushrooms

Mushrooms degrade quickly when exposed to higher temperatures, making the crisper drawer of your fridge an unwise storage choice. A cooler and darker environment will help delay their spoilage; additionally, keeping them away from strong-smelling food products in your fridge may hasten their degradation process further.

As soon as your whole mushrooms have arrived, it’s best to store them in their original packaging for at most two or three days, after which time it would be wiser to transfer them into a paper bag or other moisture-resistant container to keep moisture away. When ready to use your mushrooms again, do not wash until just before use since mushrooms release moisture through their pores, needing an absorbent layer between themselves and moisture for proper functioning and longevity.

Once your mushrooms have been transferred to paper bags or containers, store them in the fridge and seal securely. Do not cover with plastic wrap as this traps moisture and accelerates spoilage. Occasionally remove these containers from the fridge and inspect for signs of spoilage or any changes in quality.

Slimy mushrooms are the primary indicator that they’ve gone bad; any time there is any on the surface, discard immediately. Furthermore, browning and mildew-like smells can also indicate they have gone rotten and should be thrown out as soon as possible.

Examine your mushrooms carefully for other warning signs, such as dark spots or soft areas that indicate bacteria or yeast growth, and mold, which is a serious health concern.

If any of the signs above appear, dispose of your mushrooms immediately and purchase new ones to prevent disease transmission and sickness. Doing this may also help save the lives of family and friends living nearby.

Mushrooms can last months or years in your freezer when stored correctly and thoroughly dried before storage. They should be placed in airtight glass jars or other airtight containers and silica gel packets should be added for moisture absorption purposes.

Dried Mushrooms

Dried mushrooms retain their umami flavor and texture for much longer than fresh varieties, and can bring an abundance of umami goodness to soups, stews, risottos, pasta sauces or seasonings if properly rehydrated and cooked. Furthermore, ground mushrooms may be ground into powder for use as seasonings or batters.

Refrigerator-stored dried mushrooms typically last 2-4 weeks before becoming spoilt, but regular checks should be conducted to prevent this. If they become soft and soggy or develop an unpleasant odor, it’s time to toss them out.

Mushrooms that become too dry may become hard and dry, diminishing their flavor significantly. If this occurs, rehydrating them promptly is advised for maximum enjoyment of them as food sources.

Dried mushrooms should not be exposed to high heat as this can compromise both their flavor and nutritional value. An ideal storage temperature range for dried mushrooms should be 32 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit in a cool, dark environment.

Store dried mushrooms in an airtight container to preserve nutrient loss and ensure optimal flavor retention. It is also best to place them away from other food, as mushrooms can absorb smells.

Dried mushroom packaging usually provides instructions for rehydrating them, typically by placing them in a bowl of hot water for several minutes. Depending on the container and mushroom quantity, this amount may change but in general one ounce (by weight) of dried mushrooms yields approximately eight ounces after being rehydrated.

After rehydrating mushrooms, it’s crucial that they be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator in order to extend their shelf life and avoid becoming soggy or slimy. Doing this will prevent their shelf life from decreasing drastically and ensure you receive high quality mushrooms!

Dried mushrooms should be discarded if they begin to smell rancid, as this indicates that they have gone bad and must be disposed of quickly in order to avoid food poisoning. They should also be thrown out immediately if discolored or have an uneven or shriveled appearance and develop mold growth; any black or brownish colored varieties have lost flavor and could contain harmful substances that are hazardous for consumption.

Mushroom Tea Blends

Mushroom tea should be stored in the fridge, where its fresh flavor and health-promoting benefits will remain fresh for days or even months. Cool temperatures help slow down its breakdown, preserving its fresh taste while supporting good health. Alternatively, frozen storage provides long-term options.

Tea can last up to 48 hours when stored correctly at room temperature when properly sealed in its container, before it begins to degrade and lose its delicate aromas and flavors. Left out for too long, this could become a source of infection so it is wise to monitor its expiration date and time and consume it before this happens.

To create mushroom tea, combine cut up or powdered mushrooms with hot water in a pot, simmering it until its beneficial compounds have released into the tea and then straining out before cooling and drinking.

Trying making extra-strong tea? A longer brew time will not only strengthen its flavor but will also unlock more healing benefits from mushrooms.

At shops and health food stores, there are various mushroom tea blends that have been created using specific types of mushrooms and/or their effects to meet specific goals. While some blends may target specific individuals–for instance those needing help concentrating or managing stress–others might focus on particular conditions or goals such as immune health or cardiovascular wellness.

How to Store Mushroom Tea

Mushroom tea made from dried mushrooms will last about one week in the fridge when properly stored in an airtight container with tight-sealing lid, away from direct sunlight and at a cool room temperature. As this kind of blend typically includes various varieties, be sure to check its labels to ensure you receive all of its benefits!

Store kombucha mushroom tea in an airtight glass or plastic container to maintain optimal conditions for fermentation. Avoid small openings or tight-fitting lids as these could allow moisture and bacteria into the brew, and remove any moldy or spoiled mushrooms as this may be cause of illness.

At first, a continuous brewing ferment should remain fairly consistent as long as yeast activity remains at an appropriate level. Over time, however, its taste will shift gradually toward becoming sourer but should never reach overwhelming proportions. If this becomes the case however, simply pour off some and replace with sweet feeder solution to bring back sweetness into your brew.

After several more days, your kombucha will begin to lose its vibrant flavors. While still safe to consume at this stage, its flavors may have noticeably diminished and it could potentially host unwanted bacteria.

Once consumed, it takes between 20-40 minutes for its effects to become apparent, including altered states of consciousness, visual and auditory hallucinations and pleasurable feelings. For an optimal experience it is wise to consume only small quantities at a time of this tea.