Magic mushrooms have amazing effects, but if the harvest is not stored properly it can degrade within a few days. That's why it's important to learn how to store mushrooms correctly magical!
Shelf life of magic mushrooms
There are several types of hallucinogenic mushrooms, but the most common ones to find in Europe are Psilocybe Cubensis and in particular the Psilocybe Lanceolata, also called “freedom hat”. This type of mushroom is very delicate in terms of conservation and tends to rot very quickly: it naturally contains nematodes, which are small white worms which can devour freshly picked mushrooms; furthermore, being composed of 90% water, it tends to develop mold.
It follows that if you want to taste fresh mushrooms, this should be done immediately after harvesting, at most within a few days. Fresh mushrooms can be keep in the refrigerator wrapped in absorbent paper and in an airtight container, but it is better to be cautious and quick in consuming, without expecting miracles from this type of preservation.
Instead, if you want to have a theoretically unlimited conservation, it is good to dry magic mushrooms.
The benefits of drying mushrooms
THE dried mushrooms They keep for an indefinite period of time, although it is best to consume them within six months, and maintain their properties unchanged.
When mushrooms are dried, the psilocin contained in the mushrooms is converted into psilobicin, which is more stable. maintains its psychoactive properties unchanged. When the mushrooms are then eaten, the gastric acid converts the psilocybin back into psilocin, causing the well-known magical effects.
Drying is the only method that allows those who have a large harvest of hallucinogenic mushrooms to not see it lost within a few days. It is a simple method within everyone's reach, which can be made conveniently at home.
How to dry magic mushrooms
To dry magic mushrooms properly, you need to remove all traces of water from them: even a minimum amount of humidity can permanently compromise the harvest. Here's how to dry mushrooms:
- Air drying
Air drying is the cheapest method to obtain our dried mushrooms, but it is also the most uncertain: in fact, the environment must be particularly dry and you are not always sure that every trace of humidity has disappeared.
- Drying in a dryer
Even though dehydrators are a bit expensive, it is worth buying one. With these tools, proper drying is safe and the result is uniform. Just set the dehydrator to a low temperature (no more than 40 degrees) to prevent the degradation of the psilocybin and let it dry for 4 to 8 hours.
- Drying with desiccant
A desiccant is a material that absorbs the water around it. You can therefore dry mushrooms using one of these chemical compounds: the most common at an industrial level is silica gel, another commonly used by mushroom dryers is Epsom salt. To prepare Epsom salt (which you can buy at the pharmacy) just put it in the oven at 250 degrees for about two hours. Then break the slab that will have been created and insert it, still hot, into an airtight container together with the mushrooms.
How to store dried magic mushrooms
Here's how to properly store magic mushrooms once the drying process is complete:
- Airtight containers
Airtight containers are a great way to keep your magic mushrooms away from oxygen and moisture, extending their shelf life. You can also add a packet of silica gel, a desiccant, to the container to further protect your harvest from moisture.
- Vacuum packed
This method is very practical for those who want to preserve large quantities of mushrooms for a long time, but it may be unsuitable for those who use the substance daily. In fact, when the vacuum-packed bag is opened, it is necessary to put the remaining contents back under vacuum or transfer them to an airtight container.
- Freezer
Dried mushrooms can be put in the freezer, as long as you are sure that they are 100% dry. This method is only recommended for those who dry mushrooms using a dehydrator.
- Blue Honey
An interesting method of preservation is “blue honey”. This involves crushing the ground magic mushrooms and soaking them in honey. Over time, the honey will absorb the psilocybin and can be enjoyed in tea, spread on slices of bread or directly by spoonful. This method is very effective although it limits the ways in which the mushrooms can be consumed.
