Content
- 1 How do chanterelles grow?
- 2 Where do chanterelle mushrooms grow?
- 3 When do chanterelle mushrooms grow?
- 4 How long do chanterelle mushrooms grow?
- 5 How big do chanterelle mushrooms grow?
- 6 How to find chanterelles in the forest
- 7 How to collect chanterelles correctly
- 8 Is it possible to collect old chanterelles?
- 9 Conclusion
In nature, there are about 60 species of the Chanterelle family. Most of them are edible. Chanterelles grow for a long period from mid-summer until the onset of frost in the fall. This time is enough even for a beginner to provide himself with dishes and preparations from tasty and aromatic mushrooms.
How do chanterelles grow?
These representatives of the Chanterelle family are distinguished from others not only by their bright yellow color, but also by the lack of separation of the cap and stem. The dense pulp has a rich, pleasant aroma. Fans consider the slightly bitter taste to be piquant.
Chanterelles grow in large groups. The most famous among those who like to wander through the forest with a basket is the common chanterelle. Instances with a cap up to 10 cm in diameter reach a height of 7 - 8 cm. Young mushrooms have a funnel-shaped cap with wavy, uneven edges. By maturity, its top levels out and becomes flat. The underside of the cap is represented by folds.The fruit body is completely edible. Unlike lamellar types, the underside of the cap does not need to be cleaned.
Where do chanterelle mushrooms grow?
Experienced mushroom pickers say that once you find a place where aromatic young mushrooms grow, you can then collect them annually in the same and nearby areas.
In which regions do chanterelles grow?
In France, chanterelles have been grown artificially for several centuries. But on the territory of Russia, this bright mushroom grows in all regions from Kaliningrad to the Far East, where there are forests. It is collected in Ukraine and Belarus.
Some species of this amazing eukaryote even grow in Africa. The faceted chanterelle grows in the oak forests of the African continent.
And in North America, the cinnabar-red chanterelle is known, which is also edible.
In which forest do foxes grow?
In most areas, representatives of this species prefer to grow in deciduous or mixed forests with sandy or mossy soil. They can also grow in predominantly coniferous forests. They can often be found even in the park areas of large cities, in the shade of tall trees.
What trees do chanterelles grow under?
It is most likely to find bright specimens of chanterelles near birch trees. In the western part of Russia, beech and oak often become neighbors of red beauties. Sometimes you can find them around aspen trees. The chanterelle likes to grow on soft acidic soil in the shade of spruce and pine.
What places do chanterelle mushrooms like?
Representatives of the large Chanterelle family choose their growing location depending on climatic conditions. In dry summers, mushrooms grow near swamps and forest streams. If the weather turns out to be rainy, then it is easy to collect chanterelles on light edges, in grass and dry leaves.
When do chanterelle mushrooms grow?
Chanterelles appear in the forest at the end of June. But under unfavorable weather conditions in some regions, mushrooms may be late. In most territories of Russia, the “silent hunting” season begins in the second half of June and ends in mid-October with a short break. It is generally accepted among mushroom pickers that the first chanterelle season lasts about a month, and the second active growth period begins at the end of August and lasts until late autumn.
How long do chanterelle mushrooms grow?
From the moment of emergence until adulthood, the chanterelle mushroom grows for approximately 10 days. Among their group they are considered slow growing. On the fourth day, under favorable conditions, the fruiting body can grow only 4 - 5 cm in height and gain a weight of about 10 g. Sometimes growth lasts up to 3 weeks and depends on the amount of precipitation. Unlike other edible mushrooms, chanterelle mushrooms do not rot during the rainy season. They are not afraid of dry weather either. Most often, the fruiting body loses its elasticity and dries out, losing its attractiveness to mushroom pickers, but it does not become wormy or poisonous.
How big do chanterelle mushrooms grow?
The maximum size to which the fruiting bodies of red beauties grow is 12 cm with a cap diameter of about 15 cm. But such specimens are extremely rare. Most species do not grow more than 10 cm.
How to find chanterelles in the forest
Chanterelles begin to appear after warm summer rains. This is the weather that is favorable for the active growth of mushrooms. You should look for them in short grass in the shade of birch trees, under old foliage on the edges and near forest streams. They also grow in mixed forests, where deciduous trees predominate. Experienced mushroom pickers claim that chanterelles can be collected in the same places every year.If the mushroom season was rich in these wonderful red gifts of nature, then it is worth starting the search for them this year in the same places, expanding the viewing area.
In areas where blueberries grow, you don’t have to look for chanterelles. It has been noticed that these two representatives of the plant world do not tolerate proximity.
If one copy is found, then it is worth looking around carefully. The red family may be located nearby. Often a whole basket is collected in a small area. In the autumn, it is more difficult to look for red mushrooms. Fallen leaves well camouflage their habitats. In order not to spoil the find, mushroom pickers use a wooden stick to lift the leaf layer.
How to collect chanterelles correctly
For a quiet hunt, you need to stock up on a small sharp knife and a basket. Do not pick mushrooms with your hands. This can damage the mycelium and destroy future harvests.
The found mushroom is carefully cut with a knife above the soil level. Plastic bodies are placed in a basket or bag. Dense elastic mushroom bodies do not crumble or break. You can carry them in large quantities without fear of ending up with porridge instead of strong mushrooms by the end of the hike.
When collecting chanterelles, you can stumble upon similar poisonous specimens that grow in the neighborhood. The false chanterelle can be distinguished by the following characteristics:
- The color is brighter with a reddish tint.
- The leg is hollow.
- Unpleasant pungent odor.
- The cap is smooth, up to 6 cm in diameter.
- Its lower surface is covered with thin yellow plates that descend onto a thin stalk.
- The pulp is light (white or yellowish).
- It grows singly, often on the remains of tree trunks and decaying wood.
The false chanterelle, or talker, as people call it, is conditionally edible. In some countries, it is eaten on a par with ordinary. During heat treatment, it loses toxic substances. It is almost impossible to get poisoned by false chanterelle. To do this, you need to either eat it raw or in large quantities. Govorushka is not popular among all Russian lovers of “silent hunting” due to the lack of mushroom taste inherent in representatives of the species and the unpleasant aroma, which intensifies when it is used in cooking.
Is it possible to collect old chanterelles?
The possibility of collecting old mushroom bodies has been debated for a long time. Some mushroom pickers believe that the older the specimen, the less attractive it is for cooking. Representatives of the fungal kingdom are capable of accumulating heavy metals with age. Old specimens that grow near industrial facilities and highways are considered dangerous. The presence of a mass of toxic substances in the air and soil affects all representatives of the plant kingdom.
There is no scientific evidence confirming that the age of fruiting bodies can affect the health of the person who eats them. With proper heat treatment, toxic substances disappear. Most of them decompose when exposed to high temperatures or dissolve in decoction.
The main reason why old specimens are not recommended to be collected is a change in the structure of the fruiting body. Its pulp becomes hard as it grows and loses its inherent aroma.If several old fruiting bodies get into the basket, then this will not even affect the quality of the dish.
Conclusion
Chanterelles grow almost all summer. During drought, their growth slows down. But even during this period, you can collect a few red specimens for preparing delicious dishes. Representatives of the Chanterelle family are used not only for food. They are extremely popular among traditional healers. The fruiting bodies contain a natural toxin that is not dangerous to humans, but poisonous to parasites. This quality is used in folk medicine to treat helminthic infestations. Alcohol tinctures are prepared from the fruiting bodies. The use of such remedies, according to lovers of alternative medicine, gets rid of parasites and stimulates the human immune system. But before resorting to treatment, you should consult a doctor.
