Content
- 1 How chanterelles grow
- 2 Where chanterelle mushrooms grow
- 3 When chanterelle mushrooms grow
- 4 How many chanterelle mushrooms grow
- 5 To what size 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 good for food. Chanterelles grow for a long period from mid-summer to 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 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 legs. The dense pulp has a rich, pleasant aroma. Lovers consider a slightly bitter taste to be spicy.
Chanterelles grow in large groups. The most famous among those who like to wander through the woods with a basket is the Common Chanterelle. Specimens with a cap up to 10 cm in diameter reach a height of 7 - 8 cm. In young mushrooms, the cap is curved with a funnel with wavy, uneven edges. By maturity, its top flattens out and becomes flat. The underside of the cap is represented by folds. The fruit body is completely edible. Unlike the lamellar types, the underside of the cap does not need to be cleaned.
Where chanterelle mushrooms grow
Experienced mushroom pickers say that once you find a place where fragrant young mushrooms grow, and then you can 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. Collect it in Ukraine and Belarus.
Some species of this amazing eukaryote even grow in Africa. A 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 chanterelles 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 mostly coniferous forests. Often they can be found even in the park area of large cities, in the shade of tall trees.
What trees do chanterelles grow under
Most likely to find bright specimens of chanterelles near birches. In the western part of Russia, beech and oak often become neighbors of red beauties. Sometimes you can find them around the aspen. Chanterelle loves to grow on soft acidic soil in the shade of spruce and pine.
What places do chanterelles like mushrooms
Representatives of the large Chanterelle family choose a place of growth, depending on climatic indicators. In dry summers, mushrooms grow near swamps and forest streams. If the weather is rainy, then it is easy to collect chanterelles on light edges, in grass and dry foliage.
When chanterelle mushrooms grow
Chanterelles appear in the forest at the end of June. But under adverse weather conditions in some regions, mushrooms may be late. In most parts of Russia, the "quiet hunting" season begins in the second half of June and ends in mid-October with a short break. Among mushroom pickers, it is generally accepted that the first season of chanterelles lasts about a month, and the second active period of growth begins at the end of August and lasts until late autumn.
How many chanterelle mushrooms grow
From the moment of appearance and until adulthood, the chanterelle mushroom grows for about 10 days. Among their squad, they are considered slow-growing. On the fourth day, under favorable conditions, the fruit body can grow only 4 - 5 cm in height and gain weight about 10 g. Sometimes growth lasts up to 3 weeks and depends on the amount of precipitation. Unlike other edible mushrooms, chanterelles do not rot during the rainy season. They are not afraid of dry weather either. Most often, the fruit body loses its elasticity and dries up, losing its attractiveness for mushroom pickers, but it does not become wormy or poisonous at the same time.
To what size 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 after warm summer rains. It is this weather that is favorable for the active growth of mushrooms. It is worth looking for them in the low grass in the shade of birches, under old foliage on the edges and near forest streams. They also grow in a mixed forest dominated by deciduous trees. Experienced mushroom pickers claim that chanterelles can be harvested in the same places every year. If the mushroom season was rich in these wonderful red gifts of nature, then the search for them this year is in the same places, expanding the viewing area.
In the area where blueberries grow, chanterelles can be avoided. It is noticed that these two representatives of the plant world do not tolerate neighborhood.
If one specimen is found, then it is worth looking around carefully. The redhead family may be located nearby. Often a whole basket is collected in a small area. It is more difficult to look for red mushrooms in the autumn. Fallen leaves mask their habitats well. In order not to spoil the find, mushroom pickers lift the leafy layer with a wooden stick.
How to collect chanterelles correctly
For a quiet hunt, you need to stock up on a sharp small knife and a basket. Do not pick mushrooms with your hands. So you can damage the mycelium and destroy the harvests of future years.
The mushroom found is carefully cut with a knife above the soil level. Plastic bodies fold into a basket or bag. Dense elastic mushroom bodies do not crumble or break. You can transfer them in large quantities, without fear of getting porridge instead of strong mushrooms by the end of the hike.
When collecting chanterelles, you can stumble upon poisonous specimens similar to it that grow in the neighborhood. A false chanterelle can be distinguished by the following features:
- The color is brighter with a reddish tint.
- The leg is hollow.
- Unpleasant, pungent odor.
- The hat is even, up to 6 cm in diameter.
- Its lower surface is covered with thin yellow plates that descend onto a thin stem.
- The pulp is light (white or yellowish).
- Grows singly, more often on the remains of tree trunks and decaying wood.
The false chanterelle, or the talker, as the people call it, is conditionally edible. In some countries, it is eaten on an equal basis with ordinary food. During heat treatment, it loses toxic substances. Getting poisoned with a false chanterelle is almost impossible. To do this, you need to either eat it raw or in large quantities. The talker is not popular with all Russian lovers of "quiet hunting" due to the lack of mushroom taste inherent in the species and an unpleasant aroma, which is enhanced when 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 mushroom 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 that the age of fruit bodies can affect the health of a person who eats them. With proper heat treatment, toxic substances disappear. Most of them decompose when exposed to high temperatures or dissolve in a 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 tough in the process of growth and loses its inherent aroma. If several old fruit bodies fall into the basket, then even the quality of the dish will not be affected.
Conclusion
Chanterelles grow almost all summer. In drought, their growth slows down. But even during this period, you can collect a few ginger specimens to prepare delicious dishes. Representatives of the Chanterelle family are used not only for food. They are very popular with traditional healers. Fruit bodies contain a natural toxin, which is not dangerous for humans, but is poisonous for parasites. This quality is used in folk medicine for the treatment of helminthic invasions. From the fruit bodies, tinctures are prepared for alcohol. The use of such funds, according to fans of alternative medicine, gets rid of parasites and stimulates the human immune system. But, before resorting to treatment, you should consult a doctor.
