Poplar honey fungus, also known as agrocybe, is one of the most famous cultivated mushrooms. Even the ancient Romans greatly appreciated these fruiting bodies for their high palatability, putting them on a par with exquisite truffles, as well as porcini mushrooms. To date, poplar honey agarics are grown mainly in southern Italy and France. Here they are considered one of the most delicious mushrooms and are served in the best restaurants.
Poplar mushroom: appearance and application
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Latin name: agrocybe aegerita.
Family: Ordinary.
Synonyms: foliota poplar, agrocibe poplar, pioppino.
Hat: the shape of young specimens has the form of a sphere, which flattens out with age and becomes flat. The surface of the cap is velvety, dark brown, becoming lighter as it matures, and a network of cracks appears. Important: the appearance of the agrocibe may vary depending on the climatic conditions of a particular territory.
Leg: cylindrical, up to 15 cm in height, up to 3 cm in thickness. Silky, covered with thick fluff over a characteristic ring-skirt.
Records: wide and thin, narrowly grown, light, become brown with age.
Pulp: white or slightly brownish, fleshy, has a wine smell and a floury taste.
Similarities and differences: there are no external similarities with other mushrooms.
Pay attention to the photo of poplar mushrooms, allowing you to examine in detail their appearance:
Edibility: edible and very tasty mushroom.
Application: Agrotsibe has an unusual crispy texture and is very popular in European restaurants. In France, poplar honey agaric is called one of the best mushrooms, giving it a significant place in Mediterranean cuisine. It is marinated, salted, frozen, dried and flavored dishes are prepared. The composition of the fruiting body includes methionine – an important amino acid involved in the normalization of the digestive system. It is widely used in medicine for the treatment of hypertension and migraine, as well as for the fight against oncology.
Spread: found mainly on the trunks of deciduous trees: poplars, willows, birches. Sometimes it can affect fruit trees and elderberry. Very popular for home and industrial cultivation. Fruits in groups from 4 to 7 years, completely destroying the wood. The harvest of poplar honey agaric is on average 25% of the mass of wood on which it grows.