Fertilization Techniques for Edible Mushrooms and Small-Package Fresh-Keeping Methods
Once fresh mushrooms are harvested, they must be arranged neatly in small, low containers and sent to a low-temperature workshop as quickly as possible for processing. The containers measure 40 cm, 8 cm and 16 cm in length, width and height respectively, and are shaped like turnover boxes, with a solid bottom, round holes of 2-3 cm diameter preset around the sides, and inset interlocking corner blocks at the four bottom corners to facilitate stacking in multiple layers. When harvesting, arrange the fresh mushrooms in the same direction, and do not place caps against stems, so as to avoid contamination. The temperature inside the low-temperature workshop is 1°C-3°C, and an ordinary constant-temperature cold store can be modified for this use. After the fresh mushrooms are moved into the workshop in boxes, place them separately and do not stack them in multiple layers again, so that the mushroom bodies can cool fully; this step is especially important for fresh mushrooms harvested when the air temperature is above 15°C. The tools to prepare are a thin stainless steel knife or bamboo knife, as well as small-package sealing and box-filling equipment.
Use a small knife to trim the base of the fresh mushrooms clean, removing soil, substrate and other debris; when there are many scales, remove them as well. Generally do not wash with water, otherwise the shelf life will be shortened.
Once the interior of the mushroom bodies has cooled to below 3°C, they can be portioned. Generally, foam material can be made into single boxes about 5 cm high, each holding about 150 grams of fresh mushrooms. If plastic packaging is prohibited from sale, custom paper boxes can be used. The shaggy ink cap mushroom (Coprinus comatus) is suitable for packaging of 16 cm x 10 cm x 4 cm, the almond mushroom (Agaricus blazei) is suitable for packaging of 15 cm x 10 cm x 6 cm, and the king oyster mushroom (Hypsizygus marmoreus) and the poplar mushroom (Agrocybe aegerita) are suitable for packaging of 16 cm x 8 cm x 4 cm. Determine the arrangement method according to the shape and size of the fresh mushrooms, then seal with cling film. Finally, place the small packaging boxes into foam fresh-keeping cases, 36 boxes per case, and seal the opening with transparent tape.
In addition, for short-term storage and transport, ice blocks can be used to lower the temperature and keep the mushrooms fresh, or refrigerated trucks can be used for transport, with the refrigeration temperature controlled at 1°C-3°C.