loosely wrapped in moisture-absorbing
packaging to avoid having the moisture they
exhale wet their surfaces and encourage
spoilage. Mushrooms should be used as
quickly as possible after purchase.
Cookbooks often advise against washing
mushrooms so as not to make them soggy or
dilute their flavor. However, they’re already
mostly water, and lose little if any flavor from
a brief rinse. They should be cooked
immediately, however, since washing can
damage the surface cells and cause general
discoloration.
Cooking Mushrooms
Mushrooms can be cooked in many different
ways. Their flavor is generally most
developed and intense when they are cooked
slowly with dry heat to allow enzymes some
time to work before being inactivated, and to
cook out some of their abundant water and