Mushrooms are toothsome and carry an essential source of nutrients. They have found a notable space in the health-conscious consumer’s food plate. Given their composition of 90% water, humidity control in mushroom drying is crucial. This process helps elongate their lifespan and retain their flavor. Without proper drying, excess moisture can destroy the key characteristics of the product before it reaches its final consumer.
Why Humidity Control in Mushroom Drying is Important
Humidity control in mushroom drying is vital for maintaining the quality, safety, and shelf-life of the product. Mushrooms, containing about 90% water, are highly perishable and prone to spoilage due to excess moisture. Proper humidity control ensures that mushrooms are dried efficiently, preventing the growth of mould and bacteria, which can cause the mushrooms to turn into an unsellable, slimy mess.
Moreover, effective drying preserves the mushrooms’ flavour, texture, and nutritional content, making them appealing to health-conscious consumers. By managing humidity levels, farmers and distributors can avoid significant losses due to spoilage, ensuring that the mushrooms reach the market in optimal condition. This not only enhances consumer satisfaction but also supports the economic viability of mushroom farming and distribution. Hence, humidity control is a critical factor in the post-harvest processing of mushrooms, safeguarding their quality and extending their shelf-life.
Bry-Air Solutions
It is necessary to monitor the moisture level of logs during production. Mushrooms not only have to be stored in cool dry places but also need humidity control during drying, packaging and storage.
Bry-Air’s recommendation is to install a Bry-Air desiccant dehumidifier as it is capable of maintaining dew point as low as -60ºC (-76F°) regardless of ambient conditions. Bry-Air Dehumidifiers help to maintain optimum required humidity conditions which prevent deterioration due to loss in product characteristics and quality.
Ideally, a dehumidifying system in conjunction with air-conditioning system should be installed to provide optimum condition for safe storage and to avoid spoilage. It has been found that drying has increased the shelf life of mushrooms by at least 6 months.
