Oyster mushrooms are quite popular and inexpensive species of mushrooms, which can often be found on the shelves. For those who want to independently prepare oyster mushrooms in dried form for long-term storage, we will tell you how to do it correctly, so that their taste will not disappoint you in the future.
- Is it possible to dry oyster mushrooms?
- Kitchen tools
- Mushroom preparation
- Drying method: step by step instruction
- In the open air
- In the electric dryer
- How to determine readiness
- How and where to store
Is it possible to dry oyster mushrooms?
There are enough step-by-step instructions on the Internet on how to dry mushrooms, porcini mushrooms and other types of mushrooms, but little information about oyster mushrooms, since this product is not so popular for drying. Therefore, many people ask whether it is possible to dry oyster mushrooms at home at all. 
The answer to this question is positive: given that this mushroom contains little moisture, it can be easily dried for further successful storage and use in dried form.
It is also important that dried oyster mushrooms take up very little space, but the possibilities of using them are very wide.
Kitchen tools
To carry out the procedure of drying as quickly and efficiently, you should stock up following inventory:
- knife to peel and cut the mushrooms;
- dry with a thick cloth to complete the dirt removal procedure;
- cutting board on which you will cut oyster mushrooms;
- paper to spread mushrooms;
- long thick thread or wire for stringing mushrooms for drying;
- electric dryer (optional) for drying.
Mushroom preparation
Before you start drying, mushrooms must first be prepared.
It should be noted that oyster mushrooms do not wash and do not boil before drying, the whole process is done on a dry product.
Each mushroom must be examined for contaminated sites, and if they are present, scrape off the adhering dirt with a knife, and also separate the legs from the caps.
To remove small particles of dust and dirt, wipe each mushroom with a dry, dense cloth. 
Drying method: step by step instruction
It should be noted that the drying of mushrooms can be performed in two ways: using a special electric dryer, or in the open air. Consider each method separately.
In the open air
Drying oyster mushrooms in the fresh air is the easiest way for which you do not need special electrical appliances.
Consider a step-by-step instruction on the process of drying oyster mushrooms in the open air:
- When the mushrooms are completely peeled and cut into pieces, they are laid out in one layer on the prepared paper.
- Billets take out in direct sunlight, in a well-ventilated place and leave for 3 hours.
- Slightly dried mushrooms should be strung on a prepared long and thick thread or wire. When using the thread, it must be inserted into the needle to facilitate the stringing process.
- Strung oyster mushrooms should be placed in a warm, dry place, suitable area near the gas stove in the kitchen. To dry well in this way, it may take about 24 hours for the oyster mushrooms.
In the electric dryer
The use of a special electric dryer, in which vegetables and fruits can be dried, will greatly facilitate the process of drying oyster mushrooms and shorten the time for it.
The process of drying oyster mushrooms in an electric dryer consists of the following steps:
- Prepared sliced mushrooms must be laid out in a sieve, which comes complete with an electric dryer, and placed in the device.
- The initial temperature should be about 50 ° C, in such conditions the product should be about 2 hours.
- After the allotted time, it is necessary to increase the temperature to 75 ° C and dry until complete drying. The product can be in an electric dryer from 7 to 12 hours.
How to determine readiness
It is very important not to miss the moment when the mushrooms are already completely dried. If they are too dry, they will crumble quickly and become unsuitable for long-term storage. Undressed product quickly molds and deteriorates.
If the mushrooms are dried properly, they will be slightly flexible, but will easily break when you try to bend them. The color should remain light, the smell and taste - the same as that of fresh mushrooms.
The number of dried mushrooms should be 10% of the raw product, that is, mushrooms will decrease by 90%.
How and where to store
Proper storage of dry oyster mushrooms is the key to preserving taste and appearance, which will allow them to be stored for quite a long time. 
The main condition for the storage of the finished dry product is low humidity, so that the oyster mushrooms do not become damp and deteriorate.
To prevent moths in the mushrooms, they should be placed in clean glass jars, cover with a thick layer of paper and send in a dry, well-ventilated place.
It should be borne in mind that oyster mushroom can quickly absorb moisture and absorb foreign smell. Therefore, it is forbidden to store the dry product near salted, pickled or other products that increase the humidity of the air, or those that can transmit a foreign smell to the oyster mushrooms.
Thus, it is quite simple to dry oyster mushrooms at home. The main thing is to take into account some nuances in the preparation of the product and follow the instructions for the drying process.
