White Topping on Mushrooms – What is It?

We had fried mushrooms yesterday. There were white spots on some mushrooms that looked like mold at first glance. Do I have to dispose of the mushrooms, is it enough to cut out these areas or are they harmless?

Mushrooms are basically the fruiting bodies of the “mycelium” that actually grows underground. This is a network of white threads that runs through the soil or substrate. The white fluff on the mushrooms is also this mycelium. It occurs when the product is stored in a damp room for too long, for example when condensation has formed in the packaging. As long as the mycelial fluff on an edible mushroom is white, there is no danger.

It is best to buy mushrooms loose and use them immediately. Alternatively, you can also store edible mushrooms in a paper bag in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days. Mushrooms must be kept dry, airy and cool.

Mushrooms with colored fuzz, weeping and rotten spots, or an unpleasant odor should be discarded as an infestation of harmful mold may be the cause.