Whether you've harvested shrooms yourself or bought them from a shop like ours, you need to know how to store them, so they stay safe to consume. Chances are you've stumbled across storage methods on your magic mushroom research journey, but allow us to give you a definitive guide.
We'll go over everything from drying shrooms to storing fresh ones to understanding when they've turned bad. Get ready to learn the ins and outs of the whole ordeal (don't worry; it isn't as tricky as you might think).
It's Best to Store Them Dry. So, Let's Look at Drying Methods First
Regardless of the effects you're trying to experience from your shroom consumption, they're much more versatile when dried — and they'll last longer too. After all, excess moisture spurs rotting, and there's nothing worse than realizing your precious mushies have expired.
Air drying is the cheapest, easiest, and most effective way to dry them, but you can use a dehydrator if you're pressed for time. We'll go over both right here.
Drying Shrooms With Air Alone
This method takes one to three days and should occur in a somewhat warm area. If you want to get science-y about it, keep the temperature from 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity from 55% to 65%.
With that out the way, here's the step-by-step method:
- Lay your shrooms on a rack so none are touching. You want something with good all-around airflow (hence the wire rack). Although, some people use a colander or sieve.
- Leave them to dry in an area away from direct sunlight with the above temperature and humidity (you don't have to be exact).
- Check them after 24 hours. If you can snap the stem, they're dry. If they're bendy, keep drying them.
- As soon as you can snap them, they're dry and ready for storage!
If they aren't dry after three days, put a gentle fan underneath the wire rack to speed up the process.
Using a Dehydrator for Drying Magic Mushrooms
While we definitely recommend the air-drying method, you can use a dehydrator — you'll just have to be on the ball and keep a close eye on them.
No two dehydrators are the same. But turn yours to the lowest temperature setting and check them after 60 minutes. If they're close to dry, run the dehydrator again, checking every ten minutes from then on.
What's The Best Way to Store Magic Mushrooms?
You've got drying down, so let's move on to storing your magic mushrooms.
Methods of Storing Dried Mushrooms
Dried mushrooms last the longest. However, that doesn't mean you can leave them lying around. Choose one of the methods below for best results:
- Airtight containers — We highly recommend this method (it's how we store ours!). Oxygen promotes faster degradation; they'll lose potency rapidly if you leave them out in the open. An airtight mason jar (Ziploc bags aren't effective) works wonders to keep oxygen from ruining your magic mushrooms. Once they're stored safely in the jar, keep them in a dark cupboard with a moderate temperature, roughly between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Refrigerator or freezer — The cold can damage your dried shrooms. With the latter, any retained moisture will freeze, ruining your carefully dried creation. So, we recommend skipping this and heading straight to a dark cupboard. That said, it's effective for...
Storing Wet (Fresh) Mushrooms
If you don't have time to dry your shrooms right away, store them in the fridge for up to seven days. After that, you'll need to dry them or consume them to avoid rot or decomposition.
Knowing When Dried Mushrooms Have Gone Bad
Nothing lasts forever, including dried magic mushrooms (unfortunately). And we don't want you consuming decomposed shrooms, so let's take a look at the signs they've become less-than-edible:
- Discoloration — Many psychedelic mushrooms become blue (i.e., bruise), which is natural; they're still safe to eat at this point. However, as soon as they turn another color, predominantly black, you need to throw them out. It's a sign that mold or bacteria is developing inside.
- Mold — It's a no-brainer, but we thought we'd mention it anyway to be on the safe side. Black or green mold is a definitive sign your shrooms have gone bad.
- "Interesting" smell — That earthy, musky smell all mushrooms have? That's A-okay. But if they smell sour or "funky," it's time to get rid.
What About Shroom-Infused Products?
If you've perused our store, you'll know that shrooms can be put into various products, like gummies, cookies, snacks, chocolate, and more.
Many users believe that edibles last longer than actual mushrooms, but it's best to follow the instructions on the packet. It'll give you precise storage methods relevant to the specific edible and use-by dates.
It's also a tad harder to tell when shroom-infused items have gone bad as they likely won't grow mold or discolor. So, keep your wits about you, and if your gut is telling you it's gone bad, trust it.
Pro tip: You usually can't go wrong with storing them in a cool, dry place.
Want to Keep Your Magic Mushrooms Good to Go for As Long as Possible? Try This!
Some sources suggest mixing dried mushrooms into honey (dubbed "shroom honey" or "blue honey") for pretty long-term storage. All you need is a jar (airtight mason varieties are best) and enough runny honey to cover your magic mushrooms.
Here's how to do it:
- Chop dried mushrooms into small pieces.
- Pop the cut mushrooms into your airtight mason jar.
- Pour liquid honey over the top, occasionally stirring to guarantee an even coating.
- Secure the lid and store it in a cool, dark place. It'll last for up to four months!
You're a Shroom Storage Pro!
Now you can store your shroom products like a pro, sources suggest you should learn magic mushroom dosing (if you haven't already). After all, everybody wants different things from their experience, and understanding the correct dosages is a surefire way to get what you want.
References
https://www.leafly.com/news/science-tech/how-to-safely-dry-and-store-psychedelic-mushrooms
https://doubleblindmag.com/mushrooms/how-to-grow-mushrooms/how-to-store-mushrooms/