Have you ever thought that the delicious shiitake mushrooms on the table on weekdays have become the culprit of 50-year-old Aunt Liu's liver failure?
It sounds like an urban legend, but it's a real real-life tragedy. Today, let's explore why the ordinary shiitake mushroom can turn into a "health killer" when it is not eaten properly.
1. Be vigilant! The three major traps of shiitake mushrooms turning into "poisonous mushrooms".
Dried shiitake mushrooms soak for too long: During the soaking process, if the dried shiitake mushrooms take more than 12 hours, they may become a breeding ground for bacteria, especially rice fermented acid and toxins produced by Pseudomonas coconut, which are resistant to high temperatures and cannot be completely eliminated even by cooking.
Raw or half-cooked: Mushrooms are not fully cooked, and the alkaline, muscarinic and peptide toxic ingredients contained in them may harm the human body, causing different degrees of food poisoning symptoms, ranging from nausea and vomiting to organ damage.
Overnight shiitake mushrooms and moldy shiitake mushrooms: Whether it is refrigerated overnight shiitake mushrooms or moldy shiitake mushrooms, they may become a habitat for bacteria and mycotoxins, which will cause damage to the stomach, liver, kidneys and other organs after ingestion, and even have a risk of causing cancer when consumed for a long time.
2. How to identify shiitake mushrooms and avoid food poisoning
Feel fresh and tender
When picking shiitake mushrooms, whether they are dried or fresh, the feeling of touch is very important. High-quality shiitake mushrooms are like a dry elf, they will not feel wet or slimy in the hand, and they will not break easily.
You can try to squeeze it gently, and if it feels like it's bouncy, it's like talking to you: "I'm still fresh".
But if the mushrooms are wet, crumbling when pinched, or have a slippery feel, it may be too much moisture or have begun to spoil, so don't put them in the shopping basket anymore.
The sense of smell distinguishes good from bad
The fragrance of shiitake mushrooms is its golden signature, and the fresh and high-quality shiitake mushrooms have a rich and pure fragrance, just like the breath of a fairy in the forest, which is refreshing.
When you get close to the shiitake mushrooms, take a deep breath, and if you smell a mellow mushroom aroma, congratulations, the shiitake mushrooms in your hand are the best choice.
If you smell a strange smell, musty smell or some other rotten-like odor, put it down as soon as possible, as it may have passed its expiration date or been contaminated during storage, and it is risky to eat such shiitake mushrooms.
Visually see the change
Dried shiitake mushrooms are usually brown or dark black in color and have a neat and unadulterated appearance, while fresh shiitake mushrooms are bright brown in color, like autumn leaves, and the texture is clearly visible.
When you look at shiitake mushrooms, if you notice that their surface is greenish or black, or if the overall color has become dull, like a leaf that has lost its vitality, it means that they may have quietly deteriorated.
Such shiitake mushrooms, even if they look fine on the outside, may have produced substances that are not good for health inside, so it is best to discard them for safety.
Since the incident of Aunt Liu, the surrounding neighbors have gained a new understanding of the way to eat shiitake mushrooms. They began to follow the correct method of processing shiitake mushrooms, strictly controlled the soaking time of dried shiitake mushrooms, resolutely did not eat raw or half-cooked shiitake mushrooms, and overnight and moldy shiitake mushrooms were strictly prohibited.
Not only that, but everyone also learned to judge the freshness of shiitake mushrooms by their feel, smell and color, effectively avoiding the risk of food poisoning.
"Illness comes from the mouth, and disaster comes from the mouth", this old saying once again warns us of the importance of food safety. Small shiitake mushrooms, if eaten well, are health treasures, and if they are eaten wrong, they become "poisonous mushrooms".
Every dish in life is related to our health, so while enjoying the food, we must always pay attention to food safety and keep in mind the correct way to eat shiitake mushrooms, so as to satisfy the appetite and maintain good health. After all, life is like cooking, the choice and processing of ingredients often determine the final taste and nutritional value, and a little carelessness can turn from delicious to "poison".
Note: The health and wellness suggestions in the article are for reference only (part of the picture is from the Internet, and the infringement contact is deleted)