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On the territory of Russia, you can find about thirty species of russula, which have different colors and shades of hats. They can be easily found in the forest of any region. The third part of the entire mushroom mass belongs to them. One of the species is called russula fading.
The name says little about the color, external signs. To guarantee the collection of this mushroom, it is important to clearly know all its distinctive characteristics, the places of greatest distribution. To prevent poisonous specimens from getting on the table, it will be useful to find out the similarities and differences between representatives of the Syroezhkov family and their counterparts.
Where russules grow fading
Fading russula, or graying, are found in the moist pine forests of Eurasia, North America, among lichens and mosses. They are not distinguished by abundant fruiting, but it is not difficult to find them in the forest. Depending on the weather and climatic conditions, the collection time starts in June and lasts until October. The most widespread "quiet hunt" becomes in August-September. Russula can be collected not only among the pines, but also in oak forests, deciduous forests, on the slopes of the mountains.
The fading russula, like all its many species, live in a symbiotic relationship with the trees surrounding them. They form mycorrhiza. Mushrooms receive carbohydrates and amino acids from higher plants, while they themselves make it easier for the tree to absorb water, mineral and antibiotic substances. For russula, this is important, especially if the growing soil is extremely poor.
What do russula fade look like?
Fading russula is a rather large mushroom. The diameter of its fleshy cap reaches 12 cm. The hemisphere shape changes over time and becomes flat-convex or, conversely, concave. The color can be different: yellow, orange, yellow-brown, yellow-red. The edges of the cap are thin, with weakly expressed stripes. The plates of the fruiting body are thin, fragile, and easily break. Their color changes over time from white in young mushrooms to gray in old ones. At the break, the pulp turns gray, regardless of the age of the russula. The pale yellow spores are elliptical with spines.
The leg reaches 10 cm in length, its diameter is about 1.5 cm, while at the top it is narrower than at the base. Its structure is dense at the bottom and hollow or "wadded" - in the center. Newly appeared mushrooms have white legs, over time their surface turns gray, wrinkles appear on it.
At all stages of their life, fading russules look different:
- at a young age, they look like bright round balls scattered over the grass;
- in mature, they attract with their size, high legs and the shape of a hat;
- in old age they are extremely inconspicuous, with faded, spots, caps, gray flesh, often damaged by worms.
Is it possible to eat russula fading
Fading russula are edible mushrooms that belong to the third category in terms of their nutritional value. They got their name not because they are eaten raw, immediately after picking, but because salting takes much less time than other mushrooms. Within a day they are eaten, practically raw.
Mushroom pickers are not very fond of russula. Collecting them in the forest, they put only the elastic caps of young specimens in the basket. It is very difficult to bring them home safe and sound: because of their fragility, they easily break. With careless handling, only crumbs can remain from the mushrooms. Nevertheless, they are used for second courses, salted, pickled separately and together with other mushrooms - boletus, boletus, boletus.
Taste qualities
After minimal cooking, the fading russula can be eaten. They have a pleasant sweetish nutty taste, absorb moisture during processing and remain crispy. Raw specimens can taste bitter if their fruiting bodies are no longer young. Some advise to taste the russula found by chewing on a small piece of her cap. It is believed that the absence of red shades indicates a higher palatability of fruit bodies.
Benefit and harm
The beneficial properties of fading russules are associated with their chemical composition, which includes:
- vitamins B1, B2, E, C;
- monosaccharides;
- saturated and unsaturated fatty acids;
- alimentary fiber.
Russula are rich in trace elements:
- iron;
- sodium;
- calcium;
- magnesium.
They are suitable for dietary nutrition for obesity, since they have a low calorie content - 19 kcal per 100 g of product.
The enzyme russulin is found in mushrooms with reddish tints, which is used in the production of cheeses for curdling milk.
Scientists have discovered antibiotic properties in russules, which contribute to the destruction of staphylococci and harmful bacteria - pullularia.
Lecithin is also part of the mushrooms, thanks to which it is possible to lower the level of cholesterol in the blood.
Dietary fibers of the product normalize the digestive tract, help cleanse it.
Despite the above positive qualities, russules have contraindications for use. They should not be consumed:
- persons with intolerance to the product and allergic reactions to it;
- pregnant and lactating women;
- children under 12 years old;
- people with chronic liver and kidney disease.
Collection rules
The best time to pick mushrooms is late summer and early autumn. It is better to go out on a "quiet hunt" in the morning hours. To do this, you need comfortable clothes and shoes, a small sharp knife and a wicker basket with elastic walls. A stick may come in handy for looking for russula in the grass. It is necessary to collect young, strong, undamaged mushrooms. They should be carefully cut, leaving part of the root in the soil, or twisted so as not to damage the mycelium. After that, carefully examine, clear of leaves, earth and, after making sure of their edibility, carefully put in the basket. At home, mushroom raw materials are sorted, garbage is removed, washed and processed - fried, stewed, pickled, salted.
False double russules fading
False russula is a poisonous or slightly toxic mushroom that looks very much like a fading mushroom in appearance. For this reason they are confused. Most often, false representatives have a bitter and pungent taste. The doubles include russula:
- watery: it is very fragile, has a red round cap, sticky skin, watery stem and a radish smell;
- birch - a small mushroom with thin legs, a conical pink cap with yellow spots and a warty edge, a faint fruity odor;
- bilious - the shape of its cap is convex, with a small tubercle, its color is from yellow to beige, and the flesh is white with a pronounced smell of geranium;
- olive - a large mushroom with a flat or spherical cap that reaches 30 cm in diameter and a stem 18 cm in height.
The use of russula fading
The presence of healing qualities, rich chemical composition, taste of fading russules make it possible to use them in different areas of life:
- in cooking - for salting, pickling, stewing, cooking, making sauces, side dishes;
- in industry - as enzymes for curdling milk and making cottage cheese or cheese;
- in medicine - traditional healers use representatives of Syroezhkovs for the treatment of purulent wounds, lowering cholesterol levels;
- during the training process - for drying the body during intense physical activity, improving metabolism.
Conclusion
Fading russula is one of the many known types of mushrooms. Its unassuming appearance is not a reason to be ignored during a "quiet hunt", especially since its taste in pickles and marinades is rated as very high. In order for its benefits to be clear and undeniable, you should avoid poisonous twins, observe the consumption rate of russula and cook them correctly.
