Dried mushrooms can be found in nearly any grocery store, but there are a few things you should know before grabbing a package of your favorite fungi.
Dried mushrooms can be enjoyed any time of year, unlike their fresh counterparts. These delicate and delicious fungi offer excellent health benefits, not to mention an unbeatable nutty or earthy flavor to a wide variety of dishes worldwide.
Follow along as we go over everything to know about finding and buying dried mushrooms for your pantry at home.
Things to Look For Before Buying Dried Mushrooms
Dried mushrooms typically come in a bag when packaged for the grocery store, and you can find these bags in several places that we’ll touch on later. Once you find the style of mushroom you’d like to cook with, make sure to look for larger slices that are not crushed or shriveled in any way.
You’ll also want to make sure that the dried mushrooms do not look moldy or moist in the package, as these indicate improper packaging and handling. Large quantities of dust resting in the bottom of the bag are another indicator of mishandling from their point of origin.
Another critical element to watch out for when buying dried mushrooms are holes in the slices or stems. If you see holes in the mushrooms, it means insects have been making a meal of them during transit.
The Most Common Varieties of Dried Mushrooms
Although there are nearly countless species of mushrooms on the planet, here are just a few of the most common dried mushrooms on the market:
- Porcini
- Morel
- Shiitake
- Black Trumpet
- Chanterelle
The Many Shapes
Dried mushrooms are typically sliced into thin strips, but you can also find them chopped, shredded, or separated into caps and stems. All mushrooms have a specific shape and style before being dried, so you can expect that each kind will have its own style when dried as well.
The Origin of Mushrooms
Mushrooms have been used in Asian cuisines for centuries, so many of the market’s mushrooms come from China and other Asian countries. However, the significant producers of mushrooms worldwide include the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, China, and Poland.
Also Read: Best Online Asian Grocery Stores in the U.S.
How Much Do Dried Mushrooms Cost
Because there are so many different varieties of mushrooms worldwide, the range in price can be somewhat significant depending on the source. If you’re purchasing a wild blend of dried mushrooms, you can expect to spend anywhere from $6 to $7 on a one-pound package.
Other organic mushroom varieties can cost anywhere from $30-$33 for a pound. Organic Shiitake mushrooms, for example, sell for $31.99 a bag when purchased online.
Where to Buy Dried Mushrooms Near You
Dried mushrooms can be found in a variety of locations, including but not limited to your local grocery store, farmer’s markets, and even online. When searching for a place to shop for dried mushrooms, you can count on stores like Walmart, Whole Foods, Kroger, Safeway, and many more to have a decent selection.
You should first search the produce section in your local grocery store to see if the dried mushrooms have been placed near the fresh variety. Some stores will also store dried mushrooms next to ingredients they pair well with.
Another area of the grocery store where you can find dried mushrooms is in the dried aisle or bulk food sections. They can also be found in aisles with pasta or other dried goods with which they pair well.
How to Identify Different Mushrooms
Every mushroom has its own style and personality, much like we do. However, when mushrooms are dried, they can take on a slightly different appearance because they tend to shrink in size and thickness.
However, there are a few things you can look at to identify a dried mushroom if it should be in an unmarked bin or package. Here are some quick tips for some of the most popular dried mushrooms on the market:
- Porcini: These have a thick stem and a broad cap at the top
- Morel: These intriguing mushrooms have a long honeycombed cap and a short stem
- Shiitake: Shiitake mushrooms are some of the most popular and can be identified by their thick brown caps accented by white streaks around the edge
- Chanterelles: Chanterelles have a beautiful golden hue and can range in size from a small bud to a large trumpet-shaped cap
Also read: How to Buy Dried Porcini Mushrooms
Substitutions for Dried Mushrooms
Whether you can’t bring yourself to digest a mushroom due to its sometimes off-putting scent or appearance, there are some alternatives to try.
If you’re not a fan of the texture or work required to eat dried mushrooms, then you can always opt to ingest their fresh counterparts. Although you won’t be able to store them as long, fresh mushrooms make for one of the best substitutes for dried mushrooms.
One of the best ways to ingest mushrooms if you simply can’t get over the texture or flavor is to use powdered mushrooms. These are literally dehydrated mushrooms that have been ground into a fine powder so you can consume them and receive the benefits without struggling to finish your meal.
When using powdered mushrooms, you can enjoy benefits like more soluble fiber in your diet, fewer calories in your meal, and sometimes they can have an extra boost of Vitamin D. They also boost the overall wellness of your circulatory system and pack a lot of phytonutrients into small portions.
In Conclusion
Now that you know where to find dried mushrooms and all the benefits they can add to your diet, be sure to consider adding dried mushrooms to your list of ingredients.
Next time you head to the grocery store with your list, be sure to keep an eye out for these nutritious ninjas that add extra nutrition to every meal you feed your loved ones at home.
Ground dried mushrooms can be used in a variety of ways in cooking. They can be added to soups, stews, and sauces to add depth of flavor, or used as a seasoning for meats, vegetables, and grains. They can also be used to make mushroom stocks or broths.
