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Velvet mushroom is an edible mushroom belonging to the Boletaceae family. It is also called matte, frosted, waxy. Some classifications classify it as a boletus. Outwardly they are similar. And it got its name because fruiting bodies often grow among moss.
What do velvet moss mushrooms look like?
The mushroom received the definition of “velvet” because of the peculiar covering of the cap, which looks like a waxy coating or a layer of frost. Outwardly, it resembles a motley moth fly, but its cap looks a little different - there are no cracks on it. Its diameter is small - from 4 to 12 cm. And the shape changes as the fruiting body grows.In young specimens it looks like a hemisphere. Over time it becomes almost flat.
The color of the cap is brownish, with a hint of red. Overripe mushrooms have a faded color - beige, pinkish. The surface of the cap is dry and velvety. In old mushrooms it becomes bare, with wrinkles, and may crack slightly. Some people experience a dull coating.
The leg is smooth and long, up to 12 cm. The diameter is rarely wider than 2 cm. It is colored yellow or reddish-yellow.
The pulp is whitish or yellowish. If the fruiting body is cut or a piece of the fruiting body is broken off, the cut or broken area turns blue. The aroma and taste are pleasant and highly rated. Like all flywheels, it has a tubular layer. There are pores in the tubes. They have an olive, yellow, greenish color and a spindle-shaped shape.
Where do velvet moss mushrooms grow?
Velvet moss mushrooms are common in Russia and European countries. Their habitat is located in temperate latitudes. Most often they are found on sandy soils, among mosses, and sometimes on anthills.
Velvet flywheel mainly grows in small groups; less commonly, specimens are found growing singly in forest clearings and edges. They prefer deciduous forests. Found under beeches and oaks. They often grow among conifers, under pines or spruces.
Velvet moss mushrooms create mycorrhiza with deciduous and coniferous trees (beech, oak, chestnut, linden, pine, spruce). They are collected from July to mid-autumn.
Is it possible to eat velvet mushrooms?
Among the moss mushrooms there are both edible and inedible species. This type of mushroom can be eaten. It has a pleasant aroma and taste.
False doubles
Velvet flywheel has similarities with some other types of flywheel:
- With variegated flywheel it is united by the appearance and color of the stem and cap. However, the double is usually smaller in size, and its cap shows cracks and is yellowish-brown in color.
- Fractured flywheel can also be confused with velvet. Both varieties are found from mid-summer to late autumn. But the first one is painted in burgundy-red or brown-red shades. Its peculiarity is the presence of a cracking mesh pattern on the cap and the pinkish color of the cracks.
- Cysalpine moss or Xerocomus cisalpinus also has several differences. Its pores are larger. The caps of old mushrooms often crack. The legs are shorter. When cut, they turn bluish. The flesh is paler.
Collection rules
Moss fly mushrooms found in the forest are checked for similarity to their doubles. Their fruiting bodies are thoroughly cleaned of soil, sticky needles and leaves. Further processing of the collected mushrooms is as follows:
- Items that are planned to be dried do not need to be washed. The rest must be washed with a brush, going over both the caps and the legs.
- Then the spots, damaged and hard areas of the fruiting bodies are cut off with a knife.
- Remove the layer of spores located under the cap.
- The mushrooms are soaked. They are placed in a container with cold water and left for 10 minutes. Then dry on a towel or napkin.
Use
Velvet flywheel is suitable for culinary processing and for winter preparations.It is consumed fried and boiled, dried, and salted. The pulp is very tasty and emits an appetizing mushroom aroma.
For most dishes, boiled mushrooms are used. They are boiled before adding to salads or frying. Before cooking, the mushrooms are soaked, then transferred to a pan of boiling water and left on the fire for 30 minutes.
Among the most delicious mushroom dishes are soups, sauces, aspic, fried or baked potatoes.
Conclusion
Velvet flywheel is a common edible mushroom that grows in whole groups in forests, on moss. It contains a large amount of protein and microelements. If cooked correctly, dishes reveal amazing mushroom flavor.
