To preserve the gathered mushrooms, they are dried either by fire which ensures a higher quality and therefore a better price, or in the sun.
冬菇在七分開時採收，孢子尚未飛散，所以價值高。香信在菌傘全開時採收，孢子大半飛散，營養價值較低，香味較差，價格也比冬菇便宜許多。香菇可以鮮食，但為了長久保存，大多經過乾燥處理。