Can you eat moldy mushrooms?
Mushrooms are some of the healthiest foods out there, but they can also cause problems. Can you really eat them raw? What should you look out for?
Mushrooms are fungi that come in hundreds of varieties. They are often eaten cooked or dried, but they can also be found fresh, canned, frozen, pickled, smoked, sautéed, grilled, roasted, or even candied.
While some types of mushrooms are safe to eat raw, others contain toxins that can cause serious illness. If you want to enjoy mushrooms without worrying about food poisoning, read these tips before you start cooking.
Can you eat moldy mushrooms?
Yes, you can eat moldy mushrooms. In fact, it’s recommended by many mushroom experts. Mold is actually a good thing when it comes to mushrooms because it helps keep them from spoiling too quickly.

If you find yourself with mold on your mushrooms, don’t throw away the whole batch. Instead, cut off and discard the affected parts and use the rest as soon as possible. You can then freeze the mushrooms if you like.
How do I know if my mushrooms have gone bad?
If you see any signs of spoilage, such as discoloration, sliminess, or an unpleasant odor, chances are your mushrooms are spoiled. Throw them out immediately!
You may notice that some mushrooms have a “shelf life” printed on their package. This refers to how long you can store the mushrooms at room temperature. The shelf life of most mushrooms is between one and three days.
Common mold found on mushrooms
There are several kinds of molds that grow on mushrooms. Some of the more common ones include:
White rot – White rot causes mushrooms to lose water and turn white. It usually affects young mushrooms, so this type of mold doesn’t pose much of a threat to adults.
Black spot – Black spot is caused by a fungus called Botrytis cinerea. It looks similar to gray mold, which is another kind of fungal contamination. However, black spot isn’t dangerous unless it spreads to other areas of the mushroom.
Gray mold – Gray mold is caused by Penicillium expansum. It has a strong smell and tends to appear on older mushrooms. It’s not harmful to humans, but it can make mushrooms bitter.
Brown rot – Brown rot is caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici. It appears as brown spots on the surface of the mushroom.
Smooth caps – Smooth caps are caused by Cladosporium cladosporioides. These spores tend to spread easily and can cause skin irritation.
Stink bugs – Stink bug infestations are very common in the United States. They feed on mushrooms and release a chemical that smells terrible.
How long can mushrooms be safe to eat?
The best way to determine whether your mushrooms are still edible is to taste them. If they taste fine, you can safely consume them.
However, if you suspect that your mushrooms are contaminated, you should toss them out right away. Even though they might seem perfectly healthy, they could harbor bacteria or other pathogens that could harm you.
What happens if I eat moldy mushrooms?
Mushrooms aren’t just delicious; they also provide important nutrients for our health. Unfortunately, mold can ruin all those benefits.
When we ingest mold, it gets into our bodies through our mouths and digestive system. As it travels through our systems, it releases toxic chemicals that can damage our internal organs.
In addition, mold spores can enter our bloodstream and travel throughout our body. Once there, they can trigger allergic reactions and infections.
Ways to minimize mold growth
Here are some tips to help prevent mold from growing on your mushrooms:
- Use clean containers. Make sure your containers are free of grease and dirt before filling them with mushrooms.
- Store mushrooms in a cool place. Mushrooms will keep longer when stored at temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Keep mushrooms moist. Moisture helps mushrooms to absorb oxygen and prevents mold from forming.
- Don’t use plastic bags. Plastic bags trap moisture inside the bag and promote mold growth. Instead, use paper bags or plastic wrap.
- Don’t wash mushrooms until after cooking. Wash your mushrooms only once, just before you cook them.
- Cook mushrooms thoroughly. Cook mushrooms until they’re tender and no longer tough.
- If you find any mold on your mushrooms, discard them immediately. Mold spores can live outside of their host organism for years. So even if you don’t notice any signs of contamination, you should still throw the mushrooms out.
Safe handling of mushrooms with mold on it
You shouldn’t handle mushrooms with mold on them. This includes picking them up, cutting them, and preparing them.

Instead, put them in a bowl or container where you won’t accidentally touch them. Then cover them with a damp cloth so that they stay fresh while you wait for them to dry.
Once they’ve dried, you can store them in an airtight container.
What do I need to know about storing mushrooms?
To ensure that your mushrooms remain safe to eat, make sure they have a good seal. You can accomplish this by wrapping them in aluminum foil or placing them in a resealable plastic bag.
You may want to label your mushrooms so that you remember what they were used for. To do this, write down the date you bought them and how many servings you made.
Can molds cause mushroom poisoning?
Yes! Molds produce toxins called mycotoxins. These toxins can be harmful to humans. They can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, abdominal pain, dizziness, confusion, seizures, and more.
The most common type of mushroom poisoning occurs when people eat mushrooms that contain high levels of aflatoxin.
Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring toxin produced by certain types of fungi. It can affect both animals and humans. In fact, it’s one of the leading causes of liver cancer in developing countries.
Mushrooms are often considered a delicacy, but they can also cause gastrointestinal problems.
Can you really eat them?
Mushrooms are fungi that grow underground.
They come in various shapes and sizes, from tiny button mushrooms to large portobello mushrooms.
Some varieties are edible, while others are poisonous.
You should never eat mushrooms unless you know exactly what kind you are eating.
If you don’t know, then you shouldn’t eat them at all
Can you eat moldy mushrooms?
Yes, you can eat moldy mushrooms. Mold is not harmful. It is only dangerous if you inhale it into your lungs. Mold spores are everywhere. They live in soil, air, and water. They are found on plants, animals, and even people. Mold grows on damp surfaces such as walls, floors, and ceilings. It is usually harmless but sometimes it can cause allergic reactions. If you see mold growing on food, throw it away immediately. Do not wash it off because it could spread the mold to other foods.
Common mold found on mushrooms
You can eat moldy mushrooms, but you should know how to identify it. Mushrooms are fungi. Fungi are microscopic organisms that grow on decaying organic matter. Mushrooms are part of the mushroom family. Other members of the mushroom family include molds, yeasts, truffles, and puffballs. Mushrooms are edible. However, they can become spoiled if exposed to moisture, sunlight, or temperatures above 86 degrees Fahrenheit 30 degrees Celsius. Mold is a fungus that produces tiny spores called conidia. These spores float in the air and land on whatever surface they touch. Once the spores land on a moist surface, they germinate and start to grow. This growth causes the mold to produce fruiting bodies.
How to know if the mushrooms have gone bad?
1 Look for signs of spoilage such as discoloration, sliminess, soft spots, or decay. 2 Smell the mushrooms. Moldy mushrooms smell like ammonia, rotten eggs, or sulfur.
How long can mushrooms be safe to eat?
Mushrooms can be eaten safely after 2 weeks from harvest. However, if you see any sign of spoilage, discard immediately. Mushrooms are perishable because they are highly susceptible to contamination.
Ways to minimize mold growth
To prevent mold growth, store mushrooms in a cool, dark place away from sunlight.
Safe handling of mushrooms with mold on it
Mold grows on damp surfaces such as wet cardboard boxes, moist paper towels, and damp produce. It thrives in warm temperatures between 60°F and 80°F 16°C–27°C. Mold spores are everywhere; therefore, if you see any signs of mold, throw it out immediately.
Can molds cause mushroom poisoning?
Yes, molds can cause mushroom poisoning. Mushrooms are generally safe to eat, but certain types of molds can cause illness. Molds can grow on mushrooms after they are harvested from the ground. This is called “field contamination.” In addition, molds can grow on mushrooms while they are being stored in a refrigerator or freezer. This is called ‘refrigerator contamination.” How to prevent mold growth on mushrooms? Answer: To prevent mold growth on mushrooms, store them in a dry place away from direct sunlight. Keep them in a plastic bag or container with a desiccant a substance that absorbs moisture. Do not wash mushrooms until you are ready to use them. Wash mushrooms only when necessary. Never soak mushrooms in water.
Can you wash mold off mushrooms and eat them?
Boiling kills mold but not all mold. Mold spores are everywhere. Boiling does not kill all mold spores. It only kills mold if the mold is growing on something else. For instance, if you put a piece of bread into a pan of boiling water, the mold will die because the bread is no longer alive. But if you put a piece into a pan of cold water, the mold will survive because the bread is still alive. So, boiling won’t kill all mold spores.
Is mold destroyed by cooking?
Mold on food dies with heat. Mold on food is caused by bacteria that grows on food. It is not harmful but it looks ugly. To get rid of mold on food, you can put the food in the freezer for 2 hours and then take it out and wash it off. This will kill the bacteria and remove the mold.
Can I still cook mushrooms with mold?
Mushrooms are generally safe to eat if they haven’t been sitting around for long periods of time. However, if you notice any signs of spoilage such as discoloration, sliminess, or off odors, discard the mushroom immediately. Moldy mushrooms could potentially carry harmful bacteria that can cause illness.
Does mold on food die with heat?
Mold is not destroyed by cooking. It is only affected by moisture. So if you cook something in a dishwasher, it won’t affect the mold. But if you leave it outside, it will get wet and mold will form.
Can you kill mold by boiling?
Yes, you can clean mushrooms and eat them. It depends on how long you leave them in the refrigerator. If you put them in the fridge right away after buying them from the store, they won’t get any moldy. But if you let them sit around for a while, they will get moldy. So, if you buy mushrooms from the grocery store, you should rinse them well under running water and dry them completely before putting them in the refrigerator. Then, you can enjoy eating them.