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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU not to wash mushrooms before preparing them?

51 replies

stopfaffing · 29/05/2016 17:25

DH was in the kitchen when I was taking the mushrooms out of their box and chopping them before throwing into the frying pan.

"Aren't you washing them first?" He asked curiously.

"Er, no." I replied.

"What about dirt." And he pointed to a very few little bits of soil that had adhered to a few of the mushrooms.

"Oh, that's clean dirt." I replied.

To be fair, I brush off any bits of soil before chopping, bot don't wash mushrooms. AIBU? Grin

I don't really care tbh, life's too short to wash a mushroom, and neither me, DH have been ill with food poisoning (DH once many years ago or it could have been a virus).

OP posts:
YouCantBeSadHoldingACupcake · 29/05/2016 17:27

I don't wash them either, neither does my mum. Dh always washes them

Thebookswereherfriends · 29/05/2016 17:28

Never wash them, can't be bothered. The amount of dirt and stuff we take in every day it seems pointless.

useyourimagination · 29/05/2016 17:29

I've never washed a mushroom. And I'm pretty sure I heard once that you're not supposed to wash them, just wipe them if you want to clean them.

MackerelOfFact · 29/05/2016 17:29

I often wonder this. I never do anything except cut off any obviously muddy bits, but DP peels them or rubs away a layer with a tissue. Washing them makes them soggy, surely?

The whole appeal of mushrooms to me is that they require so little prep. I wouldn't bother if they were that much of a faff.

RubyGoat · 29/05/2016 17:30

I think the most commond advice is that you shouldn't wash them (not entirely sure why). You can buy a "mushroom brush" at most decent cook shops though, for sweeping off any fragments.

ineedaholidaynow · 29/05/2016 17:31

I usually wipe them with a damp tissue, but I wouldn't say it was a thorough clean

Notfastjustfurious · 29/05/2016 17:33

You don't wash mushrooms iirc it's something about them absorbing liquid. I just wipe of any muck with my thumb as I go.

Pinkheart5915 · 29/05/2016 17:33

neither me or DH wash them. Life is too short to wash mushrooms!

CremeBrulee · 29/05/2016 17:35

If you wash them, they absorb water and become soggy tasting. I brush off excess dirt and for really grubby ones, a quick wipe with moistened piece of kitchen roll does the job.

CwtchMeQuick · 29/05/2016 17:36

My mother peels mushrooms HmmConfused

I brush off most of the dirt if I can be bothered

mrstiggy · 29/05/2016 17:36

Nope, don't wash. Just knock off the clumps of dirt then dice it. My mum used to peel mushrooms and throw away the stems, it was a shock to find out you can just use the whole thing!

VenusRising · 29/05/2016 17:36

I don't know anyone who washes their shrooms. I always think it's a rather strange thing to do. YANBU!

Brush off the dirt/ leaves with a stiff bristle brush and chop.
I've taken courses with fungi experts (finding, identifying and cooking) and this is the way to do it apparently.

Your dp is BU to even suggest washing- how will they sauté properly if they're soggy and sodden!

If you're eating wild poisonous mushrooms, a tummy upset from a bit of dirt would be the last of your worries... a new liver and a couple of kidneys might be more appropriate things to think about.

Mushrooms from a supermarket are totally safe. Brush them off, chop them and sauté them in butter and wine, with wild herbs, and a pinch of salt. Don't have too many in the skillet at the same time as they will get rubbery.

Champagneformyrealfriends · 29/05/2016 17:36

I peel them Confused but there's a strong possibility I'm doing it wrong!

cozietoesie · 29/05/2016 17:37

My father raised this and expressed a desire for a 'mushroom brush'. I bought him one for a present and although he Oooh'd and Aaah'd, I don't think he ever used it. Just kept chopping them and throwing them in the pan. Smile

ChesterFuckingDraws · 29/05/2016 17:37

I don't wash mushrooms, they absorb the water and go soggy and horrible. I just wipe of the obvious mud bits, like you and eat them raw.

I'm pretty sure that the stuff mushrooms are grown in is "ok" and not like eating soil out the garden! but I might be very wrong

DramaAlpaca · 29/05/2016 17:39

I peel them too! I think it's because my mother always did.

Not sure if I dare admit it, but I even have a special kitchen knife with a tiny blade that I only use for peeling mushrooms Blush

In my defence, I never wash them.

VestalVirgin · 29/05/2016 17:43

If you fry them anyway, hygiene isn't an issue.
Also, if they're the kind of mushrooms that are grown on soil, the soil will have been sterilized before starting to grow them, as it doesn't work otherwise.

I sometimes wash chanterelles as I don't like sand and earth between the teeth. But they do get soggy, so it is a bit of a decision between pest and cholera.
For that kind of mushroom, a brush might be useful.

Notso · 29/05/2016 17:44

Hell no. I can't stand them so handle them as little as possible.

What part do you peel? Confused

nanetterose · 29/05/2016 17:46

I wash my mushrooms. Blush
Unless they are the large ones - then l peel them. Blush again. +Grin

PolterGoose · 29/05/2016 17:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CoffeeCoffeeAndLotsOfIt · 29/05/2016 17:50

cwtch my mother also peels mushrooms! Maybe it's a Welsh thing

fuzzywuzzy · 29/05/2016 17:51

Don't wash them, I do peel them

CoffeeCoffeeAndLotsOfIt · 29/05/2016 17:51

Ah, I didn't rtft before posting. Maybe not s Welsh thing - maybe just s generational thing Grin

sepa · 29/05/2016 17:53

I don't even wash them if I'm eating them raw Shock

DramaAlpaca · 29/05/2016 17:54

Generational thing Coffee, I'm not Welsh but I am old

Notso I peel all the skin off.