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The golden-red russula adorns the forests in summer and autumn. She also becomes the desired prey of avid mushroom pickers. This is one of the most elegant edible mushrooms of the Syroezhkovy family. The shape of the caps in young specimens is bell-shaped, which increases their resemblance to a chanterelle.
Where russules grow golden red
Golden-red russula are found everywhere in deciduous and coniferous forests. They are collected all over the world. In Russia, mass procurement is not done except in the most southern regions. Golden-red varieties grow in small groups, but if several specimens were found, then there are others nearby.
Golden-red russula prefer a soil with a dense grass cover, on which there are always trees. Therefore, experienced mushroom pickers check not only the sunny edges, but also the undergrowth.
What golden red russula look like
Bright umbrellas appear in the forests usually by July, the mass collection begins in August - September, and can drag on until October. The rather large cap of the golden-red russula reaches 13 cm in diameter. At first it is convex, its dome resembles an umbrella. Then it straightens, in some specimens a hollow appears in the center. The color of the golden-red variety - in accordance with the name - with yellow spots, uneven. The mushroom has external features:
- The surface of its cap is glossy and smooth, does not have mucus;
- The edges of the cap are ribbed;
- The skin comes off easily from the pulp;
- The pulp is white, under the skin it is bright yellow, and over time it turns completely yellow;
- The mushroom plates are also white, with a yellow edge;
- Ripening spore powder is yellow;
- The leg is long, up to 10 cm, rather thick, sometimes pale or bright yellow;
- The pulp is very fragile, easily breaks, resembles cotton wool in structure, the taste is fresh, odorless.
Is it possible to eat russula golden-red
This is an edible mushroom that is widely recognized among the "silent hunting" specialists. According to the classifier, the golden-red russula belongs to the third category. This means that it can be consumed without health risks, but pre-treatment is advisable. Usually housewives slightly boil fruit bodies, after which the cooking process is limited only by personal imagination.
Taste qualities of golden-red russula
The tight flesh of the golden-red russula does not smell. This sometimes stops mushroom pickers who are used to relying on aroma: pleasant means edible, unpleasant - it is better to throw it away. The mushroom has a sweetish aftertaste, due to which this type of russula was transferred to the third category.The rest of the family members belong to the fourth, that is, they are conditionally edible. A particularly tasty golden-red variety after stewing, salting or frying. It is preliminarily recommended to cook it for 15 minutes. and drain the water.
The only thing that you should not do is dry the golden-red russula, since it is almost odorless and will be invisible in the dried form in ready-made dishes.
Benefit and harm
Golden-red russula are very nutritious, rich in vitamins, dietary fiber and trace elements. The calorie content of this species is similar to butter: it is approximately 19 kcal per 100 g of product.
The golden-red variety contains lecithin, which prevents the deposition of cholesterol in the vessels.
Mushroom pickers do not favor this russula, but not for poor taste, but for fragility. It is extremely difficult to bring her home whole. However, it is worth showing a little accuracy - and you can appreciate the delicate, refined taste.
Scientists have also discovered russulin in the mushroom - an enzyme that ensures milk clotting and can be successfully used in cheese making.
The golden-red russula will not harm your health, but you need to be careful in the forest so as not to bring home a false, poisonous specimen.
This mushroom is contraindicated for people who suffer from gastrointestinal diseases, as well as for children under 2 years old; limited and careful use should also be on the menu of children under 7 years old.
False doubles
Often, the golden-red russula is confused with the fly agaric: its bright color looks like a warning, which stops inexperienced mushroom pickers. But the fly agaric has a pink hat with white spots, while in the golden-red variety it is rich, bright, with yellow blotches. When broken, a poisonous mushroom exudes an unpleasant aroma, and an edible one almost does not.
But it is easiest to confuse the golden-red russula with the conditionally edible varieties:
- Burning, caustic. It is distinguished by a bright red hat. The flesh is reddish under the skin, the leg also has a pink tint. An incredibly bitter, pungent, pungent representative of the species can irritate the stomach lining;
- Blood red. Its cap and leg are pink, which is a feature of this variety;
- Bile. The cap color of this mushroom is yellow, sometimes orange. The pulp is burning even after soaking and is not suitable for food;
- Swamp. It also has a reddish skin on the cap, grows on peat bogs. But, unlike the types listed above, it has a pleasant taste. A slight boggy smell is easily removed by soaking.
Application of golden-red russula
The golden-red russula is usually used in cooking, for preparing delicious dishes. This is a versatile mushroom that is eaten fried, boiled, salted and pickled after a preliminary 5 - 7-minute boiling. Salted or pickled are considered the most delicious types.
It is easy to learn how to cook golden-red russula, even a novice housewife can do it.
- The easiest way is to lightly fry in butter after preliminary boiling and serve with any side dish.
- For the cream soup, a pre-fried mushroom is used, chopped with a blender.
- Salted russula. Experienced housewives recommend the hot method. They are poured with brine (100 g of salt per 1 liter of water) and put on fire. After boiling, remove the pan and leave to cool. As soon as the mushrooms settle to the bottom, you can try.
Separately, it is worth noting the medicinal properties of russula. It is a natural antibiotic that allows you to resist the causative agents of various diseases - staphylococci and harmful bacteria.Tincture of golden-red russula helps to maintain the body's natural defenses. Even eating it in a regular menu will help to strengthen your health.
Conclusion
The golden-red russula is one of the most delicious representatives of its family. It is distinguished by the complete absence of bitterness, and the sweetish aftertaste can be easily removed by soaking. It grows almost everywhere, which means that if you wish, you can provide your table with useful preparations for the winter. It is best to collect russula in early August, just at this time its massive growth begins.
