In this post we show you a detailed guide on how to dry hallucinogenic mushrooms safely and effectively for future mycological study.
In this article, we will break down each crucial step in preserving these valuable mushroom species in a way that maximises their quality and durability.
But before we delve deeper, let me pose an intriguing question that will keep you interested throughout this journey: Did you know that the drying process is essential for preserving hallucinogenic mushrooms? Throughout this article, you will find out why.
Preparation: Disinfection of tools and space
Before you start the process of drying your magic mushrooms, it is crucial to ensure a clean and safe environment. Make sure to disinfect all your tools and work area to avoid contamination.
Disinfect your hands and wear gloves before touching anything, making sure to use powder-free gloves.
Pre-drying: A fundamental step
Before diving into the actual drying techniques, pre-drying is essential. This step is carried out in a dark, well-ventilated place. Place the mushrooms on absorbent kitchen paper, cardboard or a clean cloth for a few hours or days and check the condition of the mushrooms. Pre-drying is complete when the mushrooms are wrinkled or rubbery to the touch. Pre-drying removes excess moisture and prepares the mushrooms for final drying.
Total drying
After pre-drying, the mushrooms must be completely dried, removing any water that may remain inside them, using one of the following drying methods explained below, otherwise the mushrooms may rot and spoil.
Drying Methods for Magic Mushrooms
There are several ways to dry magic mushrooms, and here are four of the most effective:
Fan drying
This method is the most economical, but requires a little more attention. Place the mushrooms on cardboard or absorbent paper and place a fan nearby to provide air circulation. This will speed up the drying process, but be sure to monitor the humidity and temperature of the environment.
Drying of hallucinogenic mushrooms with silica gel in airtight containers
This method uses silica gel, an effective desiccant, to extract the moisture from the mushrooms. Place the mushrooms in an airtight jar along with the silica gel and seal tightly. Let the gel do its job and within a few days you will have dried mushrooms ready for storage.
Mushroom Drying with Food Dehydrator
Food dehydrators are efficient tools for drying hallucinogenic mushrooms. This is undoubtedly the most effective method for drying mushrooms, but also the most expensive, although dehydrators come in all price ranges.
This method preserves the potency of the mushrooms while dehydrating them completely.
For a good use, turn the dehydrator on at 40 – 50 ºC and leave it on for at least 8 hours. Check the condition of the mushrooms every hour or so.
Mushroom drying with Epson Salt Desiccant
You can make your own desiccant using Epson salts from a pharmacy. You will have no problem buying Epson salts from a pharmacy.
To prepare the desiccant, first preheat the oven to 220-250°C, place the Epson salts on the baking tray, creating a layer of about 1 cm.
We will put it in the oven at a medium height, and we will leave it for 2 hours. This will remove the moisture from the Epson salts.
The Epson salts will have dehydrated completely, and you have to be quick as when you take it out of the oven it will absorb all the moisture.
With the help of a hammer we can break the layer of salts and introduce them into the bottom of airtight glass jars, cover the salts in the jar with absorbent kitchen paper and introduce the mushrooms into the jar. Be careful that the magic mushrooms do not touch the Epson salts.
Close the container and allow the Epson salts to do their job of absorbing the moisture.
Other important things to keep in mind about drying magic mushrooms
It is important to note that the best method of drying is with a food dehydrator, as this will remove the water from the inside of the mushroom completely. If you do not have a dehydrator and are going to use any of the other methods, it is recommended to cut or slice larger or thicker magic mushrooms, as they may rot more easily.
Caution: cutting or slicing mushrooms may cause them to lose potency, for mycological study it would be best to keep all the properties.
Conclusion
In short, knowing how to dry magic mushrooms is essential to preserve their quality and potency. We have explored different drying methods, from using desiccants to food dehydrators and fans.
Each of these methods has its advantages and disadvantages, so choose the one that best suits your needs and resources.
Online Shop
If you are interested in buying magic mushroom loaves, visit our online shop, where you will find high quality tools and resources for your mycological projects.
Important: The mushroom kits are only seeds for mycological, ethnobotanical or ornamental use. They are not for agricultural or food use. Themariashop is not responsible for any illicit use that third parties may make of these kits or seeds.
