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Mayor's Millennium (Lactarius mairei) is a lamellar mushroom from the russula family, the genus Millechnikov. Its other names:
- concentric breast;
- Pearson's breast.
This type of fruit bodies got its name in honor of the famous French mycologist Rene Maire.
Mayor's Millennium is very similar to a faded wave
Where the Mushroom Mayor's Miller grows
The Mayor's milkman is found in zones with a temperate and subtropical climate, in the central and southern regions of Russia, in Morocco, Central Asia, Israel, and in Europe. Forms a symbiosis exclusively with oak trees, growing only next to these trees. The Mayor's Millennium can be found both in deciduous forests and in old parks, in fields near single oak trees. The mycelium begins to bear fruit from September to October, and even longer in the southern regions.
The Miller Mayor loves alkaline, lime-rich soils. Grows in small groups and individual specimens. The mushroom is very rare.
Mayor's Millennium loves grassy meadows and forest glades
What does the Mayor's milkman look like?
The Mayor's Millennium has a domed cap with a neatly tucked ridge and abundantly pubescent edges. In the center there is a bowl-shaped recess. In mature specimens, the edges are straightened more and more, becoming slightly rounded or straight. Sometimes the cap takes a funnel shape. The surface is dry, covered with a thick needle-shaped bristle that persists throughout the life of the fruiting body. The length of the bristles reaches 0.3-0.5 cm.The diameter of the cap in young mushrooms is 1-2.8 cm, in mature ones - from 6 to 12 cm.
The Mayor's Millennium is unevenly colored, with distinct concentric stripes that have brighter shades. The color ranges from golden cream to beige and reddish brown.
The plates of the hymenophore are thin, frequent, semi-attached, sometimes descending along the pedicle. They have a creamy, yellowish-sandy and pale golden hue. They often bifurcate. The pulp is elastic, crunchy, at first mildly peppery, and after that it tastes hot and has a rich fruity aroma. The color is whitish-cream or gray. The juice is light, the taste is extremely spicy, odorless.
The leg is straight or slightly curved, cylindrical in shape. The surface is smooth, velvety, dry. Sometimes the coverlet ring is preserved. The color is slightly darker than the cap; a whitish bloom from the root is often observed. Length from 1.6 to 6 cm, thickness from 0.3 to 1.5 cm. Spores are colored milky white.
In mature specimens, the leg becomes hollow.
Is it possible to eat the Mayor's milkman
Mayor's Miller is classified as an edible mushroom of the IV category. After pre-soaking to remove caustic juice, it can be used in any dish. When finished, it has an interesting, slightly tangy taste.
False doubles
Mayor's Miller is very similar to some members of the same family.
Volnushka (Lactarius torminosus). Edible when properly processed. Differs in rich pinkish-red color.
Volnushka settles mainly next to birches, forming mycorrhiza with them
The oak lump. Edible. It features a smooth cap and uneven, wide hymenophore plates. The color of the leg and plates is reddish-beige, the cap has a creamy-sandy, golden color.
The oak bead has characteristic ring stripes of a darker color with a torn-mesh structure
Collection rules and use
Collect the Miller Mayor preferably in dry weather. Since this species grows in small groups, having seen an adult specimen, you should inspect the territory. Gently push apart the grass and forest floor: there will definitely be young mushrooms as well. Cut at the root with a sharp knife, without leaving large hemp, unscrew from the nest with a slight twist on the cap. It is advisable to put it in the basket in rows, with plates upwards, in order to bring it home without wrinkling.
Before using the Mayor's milkman in cooking, it should be soaked. This simple procedure allows you to get rid of pungent juice, which can spoil the taste of any dish:
- Sort out the mushrooms, peel, cut off the roots and heavily contaminated areas.
- Rinse and place in an enamel or glass container.
- Pour cold water and press down with pressure so that they do not float.
- Change the water twice a day.
The process takes 2 to 5 days. Then the mushrooms should be washed, after which they are ready for further processing.
Mayor's Millennium fermented in jars for the winter
This recipe makes an amazingly tasty, crispy appetizer.
Required products:
- mushrooms - 2.5 kg;
- coarse gray salt - 60 g;
- citric acid - 8 g;
- water - 2.5 l;
- sugar - 70 g;
- greens and seeds of dill, horseradish, oak leaf, peppercorns, garlic - to taste;
- serum - 50 ml.
Cooking method:
- Pour the mushrooms with water, add 25 g of salt and citric acid, bring to a boil and cook for 15-20 minutes over low heat until they settle to the bottom. Drain the water.
- Prepare the fill by mixing water, salt and sugar.
- Put washed herbs and spices on the bottom in sterilized jars.
- Place the mushrooms tightly in jars, pour a boiling solution, add whey on top.
- Close the lids and put in a cool place at a temperature of 18 degrees, without access to sunlight.
- After 5-7 days, you can put it in the refrigerator. A great snack will be ready in 35-40 days.
You can serve the Mayor's pickled milkman with boiled or fried potatoes, vegetable oil, and onions.
Such mushrooms have a special, milky-spicy taste.
Conclusion
Mayor's Miller is a rare mushroom. It is found in subtropical and temperate climatic zones, in forests and parks where there are oaks. It is included in the lists of endangered species in several European countries. It has no poisonous counterparts, thanks to the unique needle-shaped edge and delicate color, it can be easily distinguished from similar waves and mushrooms. After soaking, it makes excellent pickles for the winter. It is especially tasty when combined with other edible lactarius species.
