Content
Boletus wolf is an interesting find of lovers of quiet hunting. Despite its resemblance to the satanic mushroom, it is an edible species. In order not to confuse the wolf boletus with other representatives of the mushroom kingdom, it is necessary to study its appearance, habitats and other useful information in as much detail as possible.
What do wolf boletus look like
Knowing what a wolf boletus looks like, you can safely cut the mushroom and put it in a basket.
- Hat. It has a fairly large size, reaches a diameter of about 15 cm, sometimes 20 cm. At the same time, in young fruiting bodies, the cap has a semicircular shape, but over time it becomes semi-open or convex, and a smooth narrowing appears along the edges. In juvenile specimens, the top may have a pale gray or coffee color. In the grown boletus, the cap becomes similar to a suede fabric, but over time the dryness disappears, and the surface becomes almost glossy and smooth. If damaged, the top of the fruiting body changes the yellow color of the pulp to blue.
- Leg can grow up to 80 mm, and its diameter is 20-60 mm. It has a cylindrical shape, where the expansion falls on the middle and bottom, and the narrowing on the top. The color of the boletus leg can be bright or pale yellow, while it is easy to see spots of red-brown color. If damaged, the underside of the mushroom also turns blue.
Where do wolf boletus grow
The species may not grow everywhere. He prefers a warm climate, forests planted with oaks, beeches and other broadleaf specimens. It is most often found in the Mediterranean countries and in the northern regions of Israel, where the soil is limestone.
Is it possible to eat wolf boletus
The fruit body of the species belongs to conditionally edible mushrooms and has a rather specific taste, which is appreciated among gourmets. But wolf boletus is not dangerous to health, therefore, after preliminary boiling, they can be eaten.
False doubles
Among the false doubles, there are also life-threatening specimens, which you should also find out about before going on a quiet hunt:
- Boletus is a satanic or satanic mushroom. It has a more saturated color, a mesh pattern is clearly visible on the leg. It is poisonous and unfit for human consumption.
- Pink-skinned boletus. The main distinguishing feature of the mushroom is the color of the stem (a shade of red wine) and the presence of a bright red pattern that covers the entire lower part of the fruiting body. Refers to poisonous species.
Collection rules
Wolf boletus does not grow on the territory of Russia. But, like all mushrooms, you need to be able to pick it correctly, following some recommendations:
- Harvesting in areas close to industrial plants and roads is dangerous. Mushroom pulp absorbs all harmful substances that are not completely eliminated even when soaked and boiled.
- Fruit bodies that have multiple injuries or are completely wormy should also not be put in a common basket. Such mushrooms can be poisoned.
Use
Wolf boletus can be used as food. But there are some restrictions and features of the preparation of this "exotic" species:
- Boil the mushroom for 15 minutes. Drain the broth and do not use it in the future.
- Fruit bodies do not go for salting, it is best to pickle them in order to set off the peculiar taste of this type with vinegar and seasonings.
- Fried, stewed, and baked boletus will taste better when mixed with fresh spices, garlic, or a sauce. In their pure form, not everyone likes them.
- Fruit bodies can also be used for making soups. In this case, already boiled raw materials are also used.
- Wolf boletus is not suitable for drying and freezing.
Conclusion
Boletus wolf is a rare specimen on the table of lovers of quiet hunting. Despite its specific taste, it attracts attention with its appearance and impressive size compared to other mushrooms.
