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In nature, there are about 60 species of the Chanterelle family. Most of them are edible. Chanterelles grow for a long period from mid-summer until frost in the fall. This time is enough even for a beginner to provide himself with dishes and preparations from delicious and fragrant mushrooms.
How do chanterelles grow
These representatives of the Chanterelle family are distinguished from others not only by their bright yellow color, but also by the lack of separation of the cap and legs. Dense pulp has a rich pleasant smell. A slightly bitter taste is considered piquant by lovers.
Chanterelles grow in large groups. The most famous among those who like to wander through the forest with a basket was the Common Chanterelle. Instances with a cap up to 10 cm in diameter reach a height of 7 – 8 cm. In young mushrooms, the cap is curved like a funnel with wavy uneven edges. By maturity, its top is leveled and becomes flat. The underside of the cap is folded. The fruiting body is completely edible. Unlike lamellar species, the underside of the cap does not need to be cleaned.
Where do chanterelle mushrooms grow
Experienced mushroom pickers say that it is worth finding a place where fragrant young mushrooms grow once, and then you can collect them annually in the same and nearby areas.
In what regions do chanterelles grow
In France, chanterelles have been grown artificially for several centuries. But on the territory of Our Country, this bright mushroom grows in all regions from Kaliningrad to the Far East, where there are forests. It is also collected in Ukraine and Belarus.
Some species of this amazing eukaryote even grow in Africa. In the oak forests of the African continent, the faceted chanterelle grows.
And in North America, the cinnabar-red chanterelle is known, which is also edible.
In what forest do chanterelles grow
In most areas, representatives of this species prefer to grow in deciduous or mixed forests with sandy or mossy soil. They can also grow in predominantly coniferous forests. Often they can be found even in the park area of large cities, in the shade of tall trees.
What trees do chanterelles grow under?
It is most likely to find bright specimens of chanterelles near birches. In the western part of Our Country, beech and oak often become neighbors of red-haired beauties. Sometimes you can find them around the aspen. The chanterelle loves to grow on soft, acidic soil in the shade of spruce and pine.
What places do chanterelle mushrooms like
Representatives of the large Chanterelle family choose a place of growth, depending on climatic indicators. In dry summers, mushrooms grow near swamps and forest streams. If the weather turned out to be rainy, then it is easy to pick up chanterelles on light edges, in grass and dry foliage.
When chanterelle mushrooms grow
Chanterelles appear in the forest at the end of June. But under adverse weather conditions in some regions, mushrooms may be late. In most territories of Our Country, the “quiet hunting” season begins in the second half of June and ends in mid-October with a short break. It is generally accepted among mushroom pickers that the first season of chanterelles lasts about a month, and the second active growth period begins at the end of August and lasts until late autumn.
How much do chanterelle mushrooms grow
From the moment of appearance to adulthood, the chanterelle mushroom grows for about 10 days. Among their order, they are considered slow growing. On the fourth day, under favorable conditions, the fruiting body can grow only 4-5 cm in height and gain weight of about 10 g. Sometimes growth lasts up to 3 weeks and depends on the amount of precipitation. Unlike other edible mushrooms, chanterelles do not rot during the rainy season. They are not afraid of dry weather. Most often, the fruiting body loses its elasticity and dries out, losing its attractiveness for mushroom pickers, but it does not become wormy or poisonous.
How big do chanterelle mushrooms grow?
The maximum size to which the fruiting bodies of red beauties grow is 12 cm with a cap diameter of about 15 cm. But such specimens are extremely rare. Most species do not grow more than 10 cm.
How to find chanterelles in the forest
Chanterelles begin after warm summer rains. It is this weather that is favorable for the active growth of mushrooms. It is worth looking for them in low grass in the shade of birches, under old foliage on the edges and near forest streams. They also grow in a mixed forest dominated by deciduous trees. Experienced mushroom pickers claim that chanterelles can be collected in the same places every year. If the mushroom season was rich in these wonderful red gifts of nature, then it is worth starting the search for them this year in the same places, expanding the viewing area.
In the area where blueberries grow, you can not look for chanterelles. It is noticed that these two representatives of the plant world do not tolerate neighborhood.
If one copy is found, then you should carefully look around. The red family may be located nearby. Often a whole basket is collected in a small area. In the autumn, it is more difficult to look for red mushrooms. Fallen leaves camouflage their habitat well. In order not to spoil the find, mushroom pickers lift the leafy layer with a wooden stick.
How to collect chanterelles
For a quiet hunt, you need to stock up on a sharp small knife and a basket. Do not pick mushrooms with your hands. So you can damage the mycelium and destroy the crops of future years.
The found mushroom is carefully cut with a knife above the soil level. Plastic bodies are put in a basket or bag. Dense elastic mushroom bodies do not crumble and do not break. You can carry them in large quantities, not being afraid to get porridge instead of strong mushrooms by the end of the trip.
When collecting chanterelles, you can stumble upon similar poisonous specimens that grow in the neighborhood. A false chanterelle can be distinguished by the following features:
- The color is brighter with a reddish tinge.
- The leg is hollow.
- Unpleasant, pungent odor.
- The hat is even, up to 6 cm in diameter.
- Its lower surface is covered with thin yellow plates that descend on a thin stem.
- The pulp is light (white or yellowish).
- It grows singly, often on the remains of tree trunks and decaying wood.
False chanterelle, or talker, as the people call it, is conditionally edible. In some countries, it is eaten on a par with ordinary. During heat treatment, it loses toxic substances. Getting poisoned by a false chanterelle is almost impossible. To do this, you need to either eat it raw or in large quantities. The talker is far from being popular with all lovers of “quiet hunting” due to the lack of mushroom taste inherent in representatives of the species and an unpleasant aroma, which is enhanced when it is used in cooking.
Is it possible to collect old chanterelles
The possibility of collecting old mushroom bodies has been debated for a long time. Some mushroom pickers believe that the older the specimen, the less attractive it is for cooking. Representatives of the mushroom kingdom with age are able to accumulate heavy metals. Old specimens that grow near industrial facilities and highways are considered dangerous. The presence of a mass of toxic substances in the air and soil affects all representatives of the plant kingdom.
There are no scientific facts confirming that the age of the fruiting bodies can affect the health of the person who eats them. With proper heat treatment, toxic substances disappear. Most of them decompose when exposed to high temperatures or dissolve in a decoction.
The main reason why old specimens are not recommended to be collected is a change in the structure of the fruiting body. Its flesh becomes hard in the process of growth and loses its inherent aroma. If several old fruiting bodies fell into the basket, then this will not even affect the quality of the dish.
Conclusion
Chanterelles grow almost all summer. In drought, their growth slows down. But even during this period, you can pick up a few red specimens for cooking delicious dishes. Representatives of the Chanterelle family are used not only for food. They are very popular among folk healers. The fruiting bodies contain a natural toxin, which is not dangerous for humans, but poisonous for parasites. This quality is used in folk medicine for the treatment of helminthic invasions. Alcohol tinctures are prepared from the fruiting bodies. The use of such funds, according to lovers of alternative medicine, eliminates parasites and stimulates the human immune system. But before resorting to treatment, you should consult a doctor.
