Mushrooms Growing

“To be, or not to be, that is the question.” Or in this case, “To wash or not to wash mushrooms”, that is the better question.

Back when I was working as a personal chef, I often found myself experimenting with various ingredients and techniques in the kitchen. I always liked working with other chefs too, because there is always something to be learned.

One memorable day, I was cooking with a fellow chef, preparing a spring lamb stew for her client. The recipe called for sliced mushrooms, and I was all set to rinse some under cold running water to clean them, when she suddenly exclaimed, “Don’t run them under water!”

Startled, I paused and explained that I had always heard washing mushrooms under cold water did not  affect their taste or texture. However, since it was her client and therefore her kitchen, I respected her opinion and opted to wipe the mushrooms with a damp towel instead. (As we all know there can only be one “chef” in the kitchen.)

Around the same time; when I was lead chef at a community supper, one of the other volunteers was helping with prep work. She was surprised when I asked her to rinse off the five pounds of mushrooms we were about to cut. I expected her to suggest wiping them down, but to my astonishment, she replied, “I never wash mushrooms. Isn’t the dirt sterile?” As the chef that day, I calmly explained that while dirt might not be harmful, it can be gritty and spoil the dish, and it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

But are they clean?

This whole mushroom debate got me thinking: was I wrong? I’d always been told that washing mushrooms was not a no-no in the kitchen. So, what’s the real scoop?

I remembered a segment from one of my favorite cooking shows, “Good Eats” with Alton Brown. I appreciate how it focuses on cooking science without too much fluff. Was my culinary idol Alton mistaken?

Next, I turned to the legendary Chef Jacques Pépin. I deeply respect his culinary insights. To my relief, he wrote  that it is indeed okay to wash mushrooms. In fact, many of his recipes explicitly say to do so!

“Yes, I wash them if they are dirty. I wash them just before I am going to use them. I always have. -JP”

On Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchen

Feeling more confident, I decided to consult another trusted source: Harold McGee, the esteemed food scientist and author of “On Food and Cooking.”

What did he have to say?

Drum roll, please…

Mr. McGee also confirmed that washing mushrooms is perfectly acceptable! Given that they’re about 90% water, a quick rinse won’t affect their taste or texture.

So, based on this overwhelming evidence, I’m all for rinsing mushrooms! That is, of course, unless I’m in someone else’s kitchen and they shout, “Don’t run them under water!”

Thanks for reading, and remember,

Foraged Mushroom – Boletus Billieae

ABC: “Always Be Cooking”

Chef Rob