Contents
The tall morel is a conditionally edible mushroom, which is quite rare in forests. It is distinguished by the characteristic shape and color of the cap. So that the mushroom does not harm health, it is necessary to cook it correctly, be sure to subject it to preliminary heat treatment.
Where do morels grow
Tall morels appear from April to May. Sometimes they are found in June. This mushroom is quite rare, grows singly and does not form large groups. Therefore, it is collected in small quantities.
Morel prefers coniferous and deciduous forests with high levels of humidity. It can be found in clearings and edges overgrown with grass. Sometimes it grows in gardens and orchards, where suitable conditions are created: fertile soil, warmth and moisture. This mushroom representative often appears in the highlands.
What do morels look like tall
Morel tall stands out with an unusual hat. It has a conical shape and pronounced cells. Outwardly, the hat resembles an elongated honeycomb. Cell edges stand out well against the general background. In height, the hat is from 4 to 10 cm. Its width is within 3 – 5 cm.
The cells on the cap are limited by narrow vertical partitions. They are olive in color. The green-brown interior of the cells becomes brown and black as it grows. The older the mushroom, the more intense its color.
The diameter of the stem matches the size of the hat. Its height reaches 5 – 15 cm. Thickness – about 3 – 4 cm. The leg has a whitish tint, in adult specimens it becomes yellow. The spore powder is white or beige in color, ellipsoidal in shape.
Is it possible to eat morel tall
Morel tall belongs to the conditionally edible mushroom category. It is eaten only after pre-treatment. The mass is boiled in salted water to remove harmful substances. Dangerous toxins that cause poisoning pass into the liquid. Therefore, the resulting broth must be drained and not used for food.
Take precautions when using. In addition to heat treatment, it is important to comply with consumption standards, according to which an adult can eat no more than 200 g of mushroom mass per day. The product is not recommended for children under 14 years of age, pregnant women, during breastfeeding.
Such a mushroom is considered a heavy food that is difficult to digest. In the presence of chronic diseases and digestive problems, first consult a doctor.
The taste of the morel mushroom is high
Morels are classified as delicacies. In European countries, they are served in restaurants. The pulp of these mushrooms is thin, easily broken. After heat treatment, the product acquires a piquant mushroom aroma, improving the taste of soups, sauces, side dishes and other dishes.
Benefits and harm to the body
Morel pulp is rich in vitamins, amino acids and minerals. Since ancient times, it has been used to treat hyperopia, myopia, clouding of the lens. From the product receive drugs to combat cataracts. Extracts from the fruiting bodies of the fungus help with rheumatism and inflammatory processes.
With excessive use, the product causes weakness, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain. In this case, see a doctor. The victim is given first aid: they give activated charcoal, warm drinks, wash the stomach.
False twins of tall morels
Morel high has characteristic features that distinguish it from other mushrooms. However, in nature there are also its counterparts. Outwardly, they look like tall morels, but they have a number of differences.
The main twins of tall morels:
- gyromitra. It is distinguished by a brown hat, which has a rounded shape and numerous folds. Its leg is white, gray or yellow. The flesh of the fungus is whitish, easily broken. The main difference from morels is the irregular shape and pronounced mushroom smell. The lines contain strong toxins that are not destroyed during processing. Therefore, it is not recommended to eat them.
- Lopatnik. It has an irregularly shaped fruiting body. The hat of this representative with numerous lobes is beige. The leg is white, up to 9 cm high and up to 3 cm thick, with noticeable ribs. This species is found in America and Eurasia. The double belongs to the conditionally edible category. It is used as food after boiling.
- Veselka common. Hat mushroom up to 20 cm high. Its adult specimens are a long stem with a bell-shaped hat. At the top is a disk with a hole. The cap has a cellular surface covered with mucus. Its coloration is dark olive. Only young oars are used for food. Mature mushrooms emit an unpleasant putrid odor.
- Morel cap. The mushroom belongs to the conditionally edible category. A number of sources indicate its poisonous properties. An individual reaction is possible: poisoning and allergies. The mushroom has a high leg, which reaches 10 cm in length. His hat resembles a cap, its edges are free. The color is brown or yellowish.
Rules for collecting morels high
Morel tall is harvested in early spring. Mushrooms hide along paths, clearings and fires. Their growth period is 2 months. If the spring turned out to be hot, then the collection begins in April.
At the same time, young mushrooms are chosen that do not have rotten or dry areas. They have a white or beige leg, and a brown hat. The surface darkens with age. Brown hats are not suitable for eating.
The morel is carefully cut with a knife near the ground. It is not recommended to tear it by the leg: this leads to damage to the mycelium. It is better to look for tall morels in places remote from roads, factories, industrial zones. Fruiting bodies absorb radionuclides and heavy metals.
Use
Tall morels need to be processed before use. They are cleaned of forest debris and washed with water. Then water is poured into the pan, a little salt is added and put on fire. When the liquid boils, the mushroom mass is placed in it, which is boiled over low heat for 10-15 minutes. At the same time, harmful toxins come out of the fruiting bodies, which cause poisoning.
The boiled mass is removed in the freezer. It is convenient to store morels in dried form: they decrease in size and become lighter. When exposed to moisture, the pulp returns its properties.
A variety of dishes are prepared from morels. They go well with meat, chicken, potatoes and other vegetables. The product is added to soups, side dishes, main dishes, sauces are fried, stewed, boiled.
Conclusion
Morel high is a rare mushroom from the category of conditionally edible. It is collected on forest edges, next to fallen trees, roadsides. In food, the product is consumed after heat treatment, which removes harmful toxins.
