Dried shiitake mushrooms are a common ingredient. They are delicious and nutritious. They are very tasty whether used in stews or fried after soaking. They not only add a unique flavor to dishes, but also enhance the taste and nutritional value. But do you know how to choose dried shiitake mushrooms? Let's see if you usually choose the right ones.
First: cap.
The cap of high-quality dried shiitake mushrooms will be thicker, and the scattered edges will curl slightly inward. But if the cap of dried shiitake mushrooms we see is thinner, and the edges are fully opened and not rolled up, it means that the dried shiitake mushrooms have fully grown when they are fresh, and the mushrooms are over-mature. Such mushrooms have missed the best edible period, so it is not recommended to buy them.
In addition to looking at the cap of the shiitake mushrooms, we also need to look at the stems under the cap. If we pay attention, we can find that some dried shiitake mushrooms have thinner stems, but some are thicker. For these two types of stems, we should choose the ones with thick stems. The thicker the stem of the dried shiitake mushrooms, the better it grows and the more nutrients it absorbs. And the dried shiitake mushrooms with thinner stems are not of such good quality.
Second: Look at the color.
Observe the color of the mushrooms. We can see from the inside of the dried mushroom cap that there are several colors, some are white, some are yellow, and even brown. For these colors of dried shiiitake mushrooms, we should give priority to white ones. As we all know, fresh mushrooms are all white when we turn to the inside of the cap. When fresh mushrooms are left for a long time, the color of the inside will change from white to yellow, and then to brown. The same is true for dried mushrooms. If the inside of dried shiitake mushrooms turns yellow or brown, it may be made from fresh mushrooms that have been left for a long time, or if the dried mushrooms have been left for a long time, the same situation will occur. Therefore, when choosing dried mushrooms, we should give priority to white ones and then light yellow ones.
We turn to one side of the cap. If the color of the cap is yellow-white or dark brown, and there is a little white frost, it means that such dried mushrooms are made from fresh mushrooms. On the contrary, if the color of the mushroom cap is purple-red or dark yellow, it means that the dried mushroom has been stored for a long time and has become spoiled and moldy.
Third: Smell.
Dried shiitake mushrooms have a strong aroma. If the dried shiitake mushrooms have no aroma, or even have a strange or moldy smell, it means that the quality of the dried shiitake mushrooms is relatively poor. Perhaps it has been stored for a long time and has begun to deteriorate, and its taste may be bitter.
Fourth: dryness.
When choosing dried shiitake mushrooms, many friends think that the drier the better. But in fact, if the shiitake mushrooms are too dry and break when pinched, it means that the water and nutrients are lost, and such dried shiitake mushrooms do not taste good. We should choose dried shiitake mushrooms that are neither soft nor hard, can rebound when pinched, and are relatively dry. Such dried shiitake mushrooms are high-quality and good mushrooms, and are also conducive to preservation.
Post time: Jul-12-2024