Is it true you're not supposed to rinse mushrooms under the faucet or they'll get rubbery? That's what Rachel

Question

Ray says. How do you wash them? My grandma used to toss some salt in the bag and fill it with water and shake them around..weird..I know.What's the best way?

Answer 1

Yes it's true. I've been cooking for over 40 years, and running mushrooms under the faucet tends to make them rubbery, they absord the water just like a sponge. I use a clean damp cloth, then go over each mushroom gently. don't rub them hard, just touching them enough to get the dirt off.

Answer 2

Your best bet is to buy a mushroom brush. It is a soft bristled brush that you just rub over the mushrooms to clean them. Washing them is not a good idea. They absorb the water and get heavy and rubbery when cooking.

Answer 3

Never wash mushrooms, just get a clean kitchen or a paper towel and rub off any dirt that is on them. It takes a little time but they will taste so much better than washing them.

Answer 4

I heard that your not suppose to wash them in water because they are like sponges and will soak it up but on an episode of Good Eats Alton Brown gives them a quick wash in water and cleans another batch by wiping each one with a damp cloth. He weighed each batch before and after and the one submerged in water gained 1/2 oz of water more out of a pound of mushrooms. So for convenience I would wash in water and not worry about the added weight from the water.

Answer 5

I just brush the dirt off with a paper towel, if you rinse mushrooms in water, the mushroom is like a sponge, so it will absorb the water if u rinse it.

Answer 6

Rachel Ray is a nice hostess, but not much of a cook.

Alton Brown debunked this myth on "Good Eats" by actually doing experiments in front of the camera.

I've never tried it Grandma's way, but it certainly sounds like it is worth a try.

Answer 7

I have washed them under running water before and it doesn't make them rubbery. I do this if they are pretty dirty.
Most of the time I just wipe them off with a dish towel.

Answer 8

actually most times i do wash them in water i havent had a problem with rubbery mushrooms though...i bought a mushroom slicer and brush at a linens and things outlet store..you use the brush to get the dirt or whatever off..thats the correct way to clean them...sometimes i still rinse them..i like my food that has been in the dirt to be clean...maybe its just me

Answer 9

I know that mushrooms are grown in horse manure. When you see that brownish strawy stuff sicking to them that is the horse manure. That has always motivated me to clean them well before I eat them. I don't clean them till I am ready to use them and then I put them under running water and wipe them down.

Answer 10

Alton Brown on "Good Eats" showed washing mushrooms did not change them at all. Go ahead wand wash. I love Rachel but she is a self-described amateur cook.