Frozen morels can be stored in the freezer for 6-12 months. The basic freezing process involves cleaning the morels, using saltwater to get rid of any creepy crawlies or tiny bugs, freezing them open on a cookie tray, then bagging them up in a ziploc for long term storage.
This of course begs the question “How to defrost morels?”
But defrosting is another process that you need to do properly. To defrost, get a container of Morel in the freezer and place it in the refrigerator. Do not defrost Morels using water as they will lose their taste . You should be able to use the Morels in about an hour or two.
The answer is yes, you can freeze Morel mushrooms. It’s important to not freeze raw Morel mushrooms because they won’t maintain their flavor or texture when you reheat them. Boiling or sauteing the mushroom before freezing is the best way to prepare them.
They use a vacuum to dehydrate your morels. This pulls the water out without heat which preserves both their texture and their taste. A freeze dried morel looks exactly like a fresh morel whereas a morel dried in a food dehydrator will look tough and shriveled.
How fast do morels grow?
Morel spores with access to water and soil grow into cells within 10 to 12 days and mature into full-grown mushrooms with spongy caps after just 12 to 15 days, according to an article by Thomas J. Volk of the University of Wisconsin in La Crosse.
It’s time for some myth busting. The question of how morels grow is very popular amongst mushroom hunters. Many believe that mushrooms pop up out the ground while others think they grow over a period of time. Well, you won’t need to guess if they grow or pop up after watching this video.
How long does it take for a morel mushroom to grow?
Yes, morels will appear within 2 days as tiny mushrooms within 2 days of a heavy rain event. It will then take them another day or so to fully flesh out into their final size.
You could be thinking “Does the West Virginia Morel grow?”
The Great Morel is pleased to present this 2009 study of the growth of the West Virginia morel. Clint Ely, who is a well renowned morel hunter located in West Virginia has so kindly agreed to share his personal study of the growth cycle with visitors of The Great Morel.
How to cook steamed morels?
Steamed Morels generally last longer than those prepared or heated in butter or oil. To steam, combine a teaspoon of lemon juice in one pint of water. Dip the mushrooms in this solution for 5 minutes then steam using your regular steamer. Slices should take 2 minutes and whole mushrooms 5 minutes to steam.
When does morel season start&end?
The morel season for most of the United States typically runs from early-to-mid April on through mid-June. Depending on your geographical location, your season could be plus or minus a week. The season will typically kick in about mid-April in the Great Lakes region.