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The ocher russula belongs to the russula family, which in the forests of Russia is represented for the most part by edible subspecies. Some, like the ocher variety, have mixed taste. Other names for the mushroom: lemon, pale ocher, ocher yellow, pale yellow russula.
Where buffy russules grow
The ocher russula is ubiquitous. It is a well-known species that grows in temperate forests. Deciduous and coniferous forests, especially spruce forests, are favorite places. Mushrooms settle mainly on mosses and forest litters. Ochreous specimens are found in broadleaf thickets with high humidity levels. The russula is a rare visitor to the southern regions of Russia.
What ocher russules look like
The view has the following external features.
- The hat is 5-10 cm in diameter. Colored in light ocher color in different shades. Green blotches occur. In the center of the cap, the color is deep brown. In the early stages of development, the shape of the upper part of the fungus is hemispherical. Over time, it opens, acquiring a flat appearance, depressed in the middle.
- The surface is matte, smooth, even. The skin can be easily removed. In wet weather, it becomes sticky, slimy.
- Curved, ribbed or smooth edges.
- The plates are white or light cream in color, frequent, thin. They are tightly attached to the cap.
- The leg is solid, solid, thin inside. The surface may be wrinkled. The shape is cylindrical. The height of the lower part of the mushroom is 3-9 cm. The color is white, sometimes yellow.
- The pulp is fragile, breaks easily, light shade. When broken in air, it quickly darkens. The taste is pungent, there is no intense smell.
- Spore powder of ocher color.
Is it possible to eat pale ocher russula
These mushrooms are assigned category 3. They belong to the conditionally edible subspecies. However, some researchers consider this species to be poisonous. In any case, boil the mushrooms before eating.
Taste qualities of ocher russula
The ocher russula has an unpleasant taste and peppery aftertaste. But experienced mushroom pickers collect the mushroom and remove the bitterness from it by boiling in several waters. The bitterness in taste is determined by the place of growth.
Benefit and harm
The chemical composition of the ocher russula is not original. It is practically the same as that of mushrooms in the middle zone of the Russian Federation. Forest plants contain proteins, fats, carbohydrates useful for the body. Nutritional value - 15 kcal. Also in the pulp there are saturated acids, ash, dietary fiber. Mainly B vitamins predominate, there are also vitamins E, PP. The composition is dominated by minerals: calcium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, sodium.
Thanks to the beneficial elements, the juice of the ocher russula has a softening effect.With gruel from fresh mushrooms, they treat corns, calluses, moisturize and nourish dry skin of the feet.
Ochreous mushrooms are characterized by anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Medicinal qualities are manifested when taken orally.
Russules are included in the diet of obese people. The product helps to reduce weight, fight obesity. This is possible due to the feeling of fullness and prolonged lack of appetite.
Meanwhile, ocher russula can be a cause of poor health. Doctors do not recommend using mushrooms for people:
- having chronic diseases of the heart, liver;
- with diseases of the gallbladder, pancreas;
- allergy sufferers;
- possessing intolerance to certain elements;
- pregnant women, as well as during breastfeeding;
- children under 12 years old.
False doubles
The ocher russula can be easily confused with other varieties that spoil the pleasure of mushroom dishes.
- Russula is bilious. Conditionally edible mushroom. The size of the cap is up to 11 cm in diameter. The color is light yellow, white, straw, red. In young specimens, the shape of the cap is convex, in older specimens it is prostrate. The skin is dry and can be easily removed at the edges. The height of the leg is 7 cm. It is even, thickens towards the base. The pulp is whole, the structure is brittle. The color is identical to the hat. The inside of the leg is loose. Appears at the end of June. It grows everywhere in Russia. Prefers deciduous and coniferous areas.
- The russula is green. The mushroom is large in size. The upper part has a diameter of 10-30 cm. Thomas is spherical or flat. The surface is dry, even and smooth. The color of the cap is olive, light green. The leg is cylindrical, grows up to 15 cm in height. The color of the pulp is yellow, white. Prefers to grow in pine or deciduous forests. They settle near the tree.
- Amanita muscaria. There is a risk of confusion with a poisonous mushroom - fly agaric. Its main features: there are white flakes on the cap, the remnants of the cuticle on the scaly leg, the base is thick. In young fly agarics, the lower part is surrounded by a veil. The color of the cap is yellow. Another difference is the smell, in the ocher mushroom it is more pleasant.
Collection rules
Ocher russula appear in the forest between August and September. It is better to organize a mushroom hike in the early morning. It is advisable to make a cut with a knife, so the mycelium remains in the ground. The harvested crop must be cleaned of excess sand and leaves, then put into a basket, a bucket. When transporting mushrooms in a bag, the pulp immediately breaks. From the fruit, crumbs remain, which are unsuitable for further processing.
After arriving from the forest, the russula are sorted, the damaged areas are cut off and washed. In the refrigerator, mushrooms can be stored for no more than 48 hours. After this period, food should not be consumed. Young specimens that are not overripe are suitable for processing.
Eating ocher russula
Of course, all types of russula are edible to one degree or another. But there are problems with the collection, preparation and storage of mushrooms for future use due to their natural fragility. Their pulp breaks and crumbles easily. For this reason, the ocher look is not dried and is not suitable for dry storage. Do not use mushrooms for soups. The main cooking methods are frying and salting.
How to cook fried ocher russula:
- Soak mushrooms in salted water for more than 2 hours.
- Then simmer for about 15 minutes over medium heat.
- Rinse and dry.
- Preheat a frying pan and pour in vegetable oil.
- Add mushrooms and fry for 20 minutes.
Salty mushroom dishes can be a real delicacy if cooked properly. They make excellent mushroom julienne, caviar. When combined with other mushrooms with a pronounced taste, a good tandem is obtained. Ochre russula can be used as a base part, a base. It goes well with milk mushrooms.
Conclusion
The ocher russula has an undefined flavor profile. Typically, the mushroom is classified as an inedible species. Therefore, inexperienced mushroom pickers are recommended to collect well-known reliable mushrooms. After all, a mistake will lead to negative consequences for the body.
