ᐅ How to Store the Corn Smut (Huitlacoche) •【 2024 】

Corn smut is one of the Mexican delicacies known as huitlacoche, Mexican truffle, or Aztec caviar, so many are fans of this type of mushroom. And for them, I will give you the guidelines on how to conserve huitlacoche.

To keep huitlacoche fresh, store it in the fridge for two days or two months if vacuum sealed. Also, you can freeze it fresh under vacuum or steam for six months.

Know all the methods mentioned to preserve the corn smut below.

How to keep the corn smut in the fridge fresh

The huitlacoche is highly perishable, so it is crucial to keep it correctly to last a few more days. Humidity is one of the enemies of this fungus, so when storing it in the fridge, you should take into account some helpful tips and tricks to avoid moisture problems.

So how to keep huitlacoche in the fridge? Here are the steps.

Step 1. Remove the huitlacoche from the supermarket bag.

You must take the huitlacoche out of the bag as it can quickly become wet and damage the fungus.

Step 2. Look for a plastic container with an airtight lid.

Make sure the container is clean.

Step 3. Place paper towels at the bottom of the container.

Find two pieces of paper towels and place them at the bottom of the container.

Step 4. Put the huitlacoche into the container.

Carefully place the huitlacoche inside the container.

Step 5. Cover with paper towels.

Place another layer on top of the huitlacoche to protect it from moisture, and close the container.

Step 6. Store in the fridge.

Place the container in the top area of the fridge. This conservation method allows the huitlacoche to remain in perfect condition for two days. However, it is best to consume it before those days to enjoy all the flavor and quality of this mushroom.

Store huitlacoche using a vacuum sealer machine

If you have a vacuum sealer machine, you can extend the shelf life of the corn smut for two weeks in the fridge. In addition, there will be no oxidation of the fungus, as well as preserving the taste, smell, and texture of the huitlacoche being stored either frozen or refrigerated.

So, how to keep fresh huitlacoche under vacuum? The steps are straightforward, so read on for you to learn.

Step 1. Clean the huitlacoche.

Remove from the huitlacoche any dirt it has and use paper towels for that.

It is unnecessary to wash them before packaging but at the moment of cooking.

Step 2. Put the huitlacoche in the bags.

The vacuum packaging machines bring their own bags, so you must introduce the huitlacoche there.

Step 3. Use the machine.

You must adjust the bag in the suction mouth well and close the machine so that you press the home button so that it can remove all the air. In the end, the packaging machine seals the bag.

Step 4. Store huitlacoches.

You can store the huitlacoche in the refrigerator or freezer with this form.

In the fridge can last up to 2 weeks, and in the freezer, its shelf life can be up to 6 months. [1]

How to freeze huitlacoche

To extend the shelf life of huitlacoche, you can steam it and then freeze it to preserve all its flavor and texture for a long time. It is an easy process that prevents the fungus’s decomposition.

If you are wondering how to freeze huitlacoche? Let’s look at the steps and tips below.

Step 1. Shell the huitlacoche of the cob.

Proceed to shell the corn cob to remove the gills of the huitlacoche.

Step 2. Clean and wash the huitlacoche.

In a colander, place the huitlacoche and remove any dirt it has. Then with plenty of cold water, wash the fungus until it is clean. Finally, leave it in the colander while you perform the following steps.

Step 3. Boil water in a steamer pot.

Add water to the bottom of the middle of the pot to boil.

Step 4. Steam the huitlacoche.

Steam for about 5 minutes. Cover the pot, so the smoke concentrates inside and penetrates the fungus.

Step 5. Remove the huitlacoche from the steam.

After the minutes of cooking, remove the huitlacoche and place them in a glass or plastic container to cool for half an hour.

Step 6. Store in the freezer.

When it is cold, close the container and take it to the freezer, where it can last six months on average.

How do you know when huitlacoche is bad?

Huitlacoche is a fungus that can damage very quickly, so it is essential to recognize when it is bad so that it does not cause intoxication. So, what are the signs of decomposition of huitlacoche? I will show it to you below.

The color of the huitlacoche becomes much darker, indicating that it is in poor condition.

When you touch it, it has a soft consistency that suggests it is unsuitable for consumption.
Its smell is different and already smells rotten.

How long does huitlacoche last?

Product	Duration
Fresh Huitlacoche in the fridge	2 days.
Vacuum sealed huitlacoche in the fridge	2 months.
Vacuum sealed huitlacoche in the freezer	6 months.
Frozen huitlacoche (steamed)	6 months.