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Chestnut moss is a representative of the Boletaceae family, the genus Moss. It got its name because it grows mainly in moss. It is also called brown or dark brown flywheel, as well as Polish mushroom.
What do chestnut moss mushrooms look like?
The chestnut flywheel has a distinctive feature - the skin does not separate from the cap.
The fruiting body of this species is a pronounced stem and cap with the following characteristics:
- At the initial stage of maturation, the cap has a hemispherical shape, but with age it becomes prostrate and vague.Its diameter can reach up to 12 cm, in some cases up to 15 cm. The color is quite diverse: it varies from yellow to dark brown shades. The surface is smooth and dry, but becomes sticky in wet weather. Young specimens have a matte skin, while mature specimens have a shiny skin.
- Quite often, a white coating forms on the chestnut flywheel cap, which is transmitted to other mushrooms growing in the neighborhood.
- The leg has a cylindrical shape, the height of which ranges from 4 to 12 cm, and the thickness - from 1 to 4 cm in diameter. In some specimens it may be strongly curved or thickened below or, conversely, above. It is olive or yellowish in color, with a brown or pink tint at the base. The structure is fibrous.
- The hymenophore of this species is a tubular layer with rather large angular pores. They are initially white and become yellowish-green when ripe. When pressed, the layer begins to turn blue. Spores are ellipsoidal in shape.
- The pulp of the chestnut flywheel is juicy, whitish-cream or yellowish in color. In young specimens it is tough and hard, but with age it becomes soft, sponge-like. When cut, the pulp initially acquires a blue tint, then soon begins to lighten.
- The spore powder is olive or brown in color.
Where do chestnut moss mushrooms grow?
This species is found quite often in deciduous and coniferous forests, preferring acidic soils. The optimal time for development is the period from June to November. It forms mycorrhiza with birch and spruce, less often with beech, oak, European chestnut, and pine. Quite often the substrate for them is the stumps and bases of trees. They can grow individually, but most often in groups.They are found in the European part of Russia, Siberia, the North Caucasus and the Far East.
Is it possible to eat chestnut moss mushrooms?
This specimen is edible. However, it is assigned the third category of nutritional value, which means that in terms of taste and nutrients included in its composition, it is inferior to mushrooms of the first and second categories.
To dry or freeze, you just need to remove debris from each specimen and trim off the darkened areas. And if chestnut moss mushrooms are prepared for pickling, stewing or frying, then they must first be boiled in salted water for about 15 minutes.
Taste qualities of the chestnut moss mushroom
Despite the fact that the chestnut mushroom is assigned the third category of nutritional value, many mushroom pickers note the very pleasant taste of this product. This type has a mild taste and mushroom aroma. It is suitable for various cooking methods: pickling, salting, drying, boiling, frying and stewing.
False doubles
The chestnut flywheel is similar in certain characteristics to the following forest gifts:
- Motley flywheel – belongs to the category of edible mushrooms. The color of the cap varies from light to dark brown, in most cases it has a red edge along the edges. A distinctive feature of the double is a tubular layer, which changes color when pressed. Variegated moss mushroom is classified in the fourth taste category.
- Green moss - edible specimen, found in the same area. It can be distinguished by the larger pores of the tubular layer. In addition, the mushroom will turn yellowish when cut. Quite often, inexperienced mushroom pickers confuse this specimen with a pepper mushroom.Despite the fact that the double is considered conditionally edible, it has a bitter taste.
Collection rules
You should be aware that overripe chestnut mushrooms contain toxic substances that can cause upset of the digestive organs and nervous system. Therefore, only young, fresh and strong specimens are suitable for food.
Use
Chestnut flywheel can be eaten salted, fried, stewed, boiled and pickled. This variety is also suitable for freezing and drying, which can later become an additional ingredient for soup or other dishes. In addition, mushroom sauces are made from chestnut mushrooms and used as decoration for the festive table.
Conclusion
Chestnut mushroom is an edible mushroom of the third category. This species is suitable for use as food, but the quality of all forest products must be strictly monitored. It is important to remember that old specimens accumulate poisonous and toxic substances that can negatively affect the human body.
