How to Keep Enoki Mushrooms Fresh? Latest Techniques and Methods Tutorial

Enoki mushrooms rank third in total world production, after button mushrooms and shiitake mushrooms, but fresh enoki mushrooms can only be stored for 2-3 days at room temperature, which greatly reduces their commercial value. Preservation technology has become the main factor affecting the profitability of enoki mushroom cultivation. Let's take a look below at the common preservation techniques for enoki mushrooms!

Room-Temperature Preservation Method for Enoki Mushrooms

After harvesting, fresh enoki mushrooms are trimmed and immediately placed into baskets or crates. They are covered with multiple layers of wet gauze or plastic film and placed in a cool place (natural temperature below 20°C). Generally, they can be kept fresh for 1-2 days.

Low-Temperature Storage Method for Enoki Mushrooms

After newly harvested enoki mushrooms are trimmed, they are portioned into low-density polyethylene film bags (DpE) with a film thickness of 20 mm, vacuum-sealed, and the packaging bags are placed upright into special crates or cardboard boxes for low-temperature refrigeration at 1-3°C. They can be kept fresh for about 13 days.

Chemical Preservation Method for Enoki Mushrooms

Chemical substances that are safe for humans and animals and non-toxic are used to soak or spray the surface of enoki mushrooms to extend their freshness. Chemical substances that can be used for enoki mushroom preservation include sodium metabisulfite, sodium chloride, dilute hydrochloric acid, high-concentration carbon dioxide, preservatives, ascorbic acid, and daminozide (B-nine), among others.

1. Sodium metabisulfite spray preservation: Rinse enoki mushrooms with a 0.02% sodium metabisulfite solution to remove mud and debris, then soak them in a 0.05% sodium metabisulfite solution for 10 minutes to preserve color. Remove, drain, and portion into plastic bags; they can be kept fresh for several days.

2. Sodium chloride (table salt) and calcium chloride solution preservation: Prepare a mixed soaking solution with 0.2% salt solution plus 0.1% calcium chloride. Soak freshly harvested and trimmed enoki mushrooms in the above mixed solution, ensuring the mushroom bodies are submerged below the liquid surface for 30 minutes. Remove, drain, and portion into plastic bags; they can be kept fresh for several days.