Content
The genus Obabok, to which the boletus variegated belongs, is distinguished by a wide variety of species. Often, the species differences between its representatives are so blurred that it is possible to distinguish one variant of boletus from another only after special analysis. However, this is usually not required, since they are all edible.
Where does the colorful boletus grow?
The main growth area of boletus multicolored extends to the temperate climate regions of the European part of Russia, as well as the Urals, Siberia and the Far East.The mushroom prefers moist soils, often growing in swampy areas, on hummocks and hills, often in moss. Usually found from June to October, in deciduous, less often mixed forests, forming mycorrhizae with birch.
The colorful boletus usually grows in single specimens, although small groups are sometimes found.
What does a colorful boletus look like?
Often, when going to the forest, many mushroom pickers don’t even think about the fact that boletus mushrooms can differ from each other and consider them one species. However, it is not. You can distinguish the multi-colored boletus from other boletuses by the following characteristics:
- hat. In a young mushroom it is semicircular, dense, velvety to the touch, and slippery in wet weather. The color of the upper skin is dirty gray, the color is unevenly spotted, streaked, reminiscent of marble. As the fruiting body grows, the edges of the cap rise, the shape becomes more cushion-shaped, and the structure becomes soft and loose. The spore-bearing layer is tubular, whitish, light gray or light beige, becoming brown with age. Usually the cap reaches 10-12 cm in diameter.
- Leg. Smooth, cylindrical or slightly conical with a widening towards the base, may become curved or tilted with age. Under normal conditions it grows up to 10-12 cm in length and up to 3 cm in diameter; if the fungus grows in moss areas, it can grow longer. The structure is longitudinally fibrous; in young specimens it is dense and dry; in old specimens it is watery. The flesh of the leg is white, the surface is covered with numerous small brown or black scales.
Is it possible to eat colorful boletus?
Boletus multicolored belongs to edible mushrooms of category II. It includes species with good taste and high nutritional value. You can eat multi-colored boletus even in its raw form, without prior soaking and heat treatment.
Benefits and harm to the body
The proteins contained in the fruiting bodies of boletus multicolored are almost identical in composition to proteins of animal origin. Therefore, mushrooms can be considered as an alternative to meat, which will be useful, for example, for vegetarians. Obabka pulp contains calcium and magnesium, B vitamins, nicotinic and ascorbic acid. However, do not forget that during the growth process, mushrooms absorb heavy metals and radionuclides. Therefore, they should not be collected in the following places.
- Near busy highways.
- Close to railways.
- In the territories of existing and abandoned industrial zones.
- Near military installations.
False doubles
It is not entirely correct to talk about false twins of the boletus multicolored. The term “false” usually refers to a mushroom similar in description, the consumption of which can cause poisoning. However, in this case we can only talk about species that can be visually confused with this little thing. Among them there are practically no poisonous or inedible ones, so incorrect identification of the type of mushroom when collecting will not lead to any serious negative consequences.
Mushrooms that visually resemble the multi-colored boletus include all other types of boletus:
- White;
- Bolotny;
- Harsh;
- Ordinary.
False doubles can also include gall fungus (gorchak). It is approximately the same in size, while its leg is more fleshy, and its cap has a brown color of various shades and a pinkish (dirty pink in old mushrooms) tubular layer.
The main difference between mustard is its acrid, bitter taste, which only intensifies during heat treatment. This mushroom is not poisonous, but it cannot be eaten. It is enough to break off a piece of the mushroom and taste the flesh with the tip of your tongue to accurately determine whether it is boletus or bitterling.
Use
You can eat multi-colored boletus in any form, it is safe. Most often, these mushrooms are used for boiling and subsequent frying for consumption with potatoes. Multi-colored boletus can be dried, frozen, or pickled.
Obabki is used to prepare mushroom soup, pie filling, sauce, and mushroom caviar. A short video on how to pickle boletus mushrooms:
Conclusion
Boletus multicolored is one of the most common mushrooms in Russia. Rarely is a trip to the forest complete without a close acquaintance with this little guy or his closest relatives from the same family. The mushroom is well suited for preparing many different dishes and is a coveted trophy for many mushroom pickers.
