Dried Button Mushroom

Price Comparison of Fresh Button Mushroom and Dried Button Mushroom per kg

Advantages of Using Dried Button Mushroom

• Using one crate of 12 kg of button mushroom, approximately 1 kg of dried mushroom is obtained, which can fit into a small jar.

• Due to the reduction in volume, the space required for storage is significantly reduced. Button mushroom powder is reduced to approximately 1/12 of the volume when compared to fresh button mushroom.

• Due to the reduction in volume and weight, it has become an easy-to-transport product. A truckload of fresh button mushroom can fit into an area of approximately 2-3 pallets when turned into powder.

• It does not need to be kept in cold storage conditions. Keeping it in a cool, dry, and dark place is sufficient for dried button mushroom storage conditions.

• The growth rate of bacteria is proportional to the water content in the dried mushroom. Since the water content of the button mushroom drops from 91-92% to 10% during drying, water activity decreases, and bacterial growth in the dried mushroom is limited. Limiting bacterial growth ensures a much longer shelf life.

• As Kurucum Food, we continue to develop dried button mushroom products and production technologies in partnership with our sister company, Eksis Industrial Drying Systems, a manufacturer of drying technologies. Our projects related to dried button mushroom:

• Button mushroom juice powder production.

Comparison of Fresh Button Mushroom and Dried Button Mushroom

References:

1. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) - FoodData Central.
2. NutritionData
3. Diabetes.org - Glycemic Index Resources.

What Is Dried Button Mushroom?

• We can answer the question of what dried button mushroom is as follows:
  It is a product with concentrated nutritional values and a long shelf life, obtained by drying fresh mushrooms. The water inside the fresh mushroom is evaporated, leaving the essence of the product. The resulting concentrated product, with reduced water activity and bacterial growth potential, is called dried mushroom.

• What changes when fresh mushroom is dried? Let's look at the ratios…

  1. Before the drying process, fresh mushroom contains approximately 92% water.
  2. This water content is an environment suitable for rapid bacterial growth and is a moisture level at which fresh mushroom cannot last for a long time.
  3. As a result of drying, the water in the fresh mushroom is removed and the essence of the mushroom remains.
  4. With the removal of water from the product, approximately 1 kg of dried mushroom is obtained from 12 kg of fresh mushroom.
  5. As a result, the shelf life is extended, and the nutritional values (protein, carbohydrate, mineral, fiber ratio) in the dried mushroom increase due to the removal of the essence water.

Dried Button Mushroom Varieties

1. Dried Button Mushroom Powder0-1 mm
2. Dried Button Mushroom Fine Granules1-2 mm
3. Dried Mushroom Medium Granules1-4 mm
4. Dried Mushroom Medium Granules2-6 mm
5. Dried Mushroom Coarse Granules2-8 mm
6. Dried Mushroom Strips

How to Store Dried Mushroom?

Dried mushroom has a minimum shelf life of 1 year when stored under appropriate conditions. There are 3 main factors that reduce this period:

• Humidity
• Sunlight
• High temperature

To prevent the shelf life from shortening, it should be kept in its own packaging in a cool, dry environment away from sunlight.

Where Is Dried Mushroom Used?

What Is It Used For in Industrial Production?

1. Industrial Uses:

   • Ready Meals: Used as a flavor enhancer in soups, sauces, instant noodles, and meal mixes.
   • Meat and Poultry: Provides aroma and flavor in marinades.
   • Frozen Foods: Used as a flavor enhancer in frozen pizzas, pastries, and meals.
   • Snack Production: Can be used in seasoned chips, crackers, and various baked goods.

2. Food Service:

   • Professional Cooking: Preferred in restaurant kitchens to add intense mushroom flavor to soups, sauces, and main courses.
   • Garnish: Used as a garnish, especially for risotto, pasta, and meat dishes.

3. Premixes:

   • Powder Mixes: Used as a flavor enhancer in soup and sauce powders.
   • Spice Blends: Used to add aroma to spice and seasoning blends.

Home Use:

1. Home Cooking:

   • Soups and Sauces: Can be rehydrated in hot water and added to soups and sauces.
   • Rice and Risotto: Used in rice and risotto dishes for intense flavor and aroma.
   • Meat and Vegetable Dishes: Can be used to add natural flavor to chicken, meat, and vegetable dishes.

2. Homemade Mixes:

   • Mushroom Powder: Can be ground in a blender to be used in soups or sauces.
   • Spice Blends: Used as a flavor enhancer in homemade spice blends.

3. Snacks:

   • Mushroom Chips: Can be used in homemade snacks.