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The white dung mushroom has a non-standard appearance and color, so there is no consensus about its edibility. In some countries, this variety is collected with pleasure, eaten and even considered a delicacy, in others it is considered poisonous.
So far, there is no evidence that white dung beetle is toxic and dangerous to health, and much is known about its beneficial properties. It is not difficult to find such mushrooms, they grow in large groups, however, lovers of “silent hunting” should get to know him as closely as possible in order to learn how to identify them by description, distinguish them from similar species, and find out useful and harmful properties.
Where does the white dung mushroom grow
White dung beetle (another name is koprinus, or inky) is widely distributed throughout Eurasia, North America, Australia, and in some parts of Africa. It is called “urban”, because in the forest this species can only be found on well-lit edges, clearings unshaded by trees. It grows in parks, landfills, stadiums, playgrounds, along highways, near rivers and lakes. In chosen places appears in large groups – 20 – 40 pieces.
The best soil for growth is loose, rich in organic matter, so pastures, vegetable gardens, orchards, and garbage dumps can often become a place for collecting mushrooms. White dung beetles saprophytes because it feeds on substances contained in humus, rotten wood or manure. It is moisture-loving, appears in rainy weather, grows rapidly, lives only a few hours, during which time it matures and decomposes under the action of its own enzymes, turning into food for new mushrooms.
The harvest season begins in May and ends with the arrival of the first frost, in October.
What does a white dung beetle look like
White dung beetle is the most recognizable mushroom of its kind and is the most suitable for culinary purposes.
Due to the original appearance, it is extremely difficult to confuse it with any others.
Judging by the photo, the white dung beetle mushroom, when born, has an oblong hat, ovoid or spindle-shaped, 5 to 12 cm high, 5 to 10 cm in diameter. As it grows, its edges move away from the stem, the shape changes to bell-shaped. Old mushrooms have a cap of the usual shape: hemispherical, slightly convex, with a dark tubercle in the center.
At first, the dung beetle is white, later the edges of the cap darken, first becoming gray, and then completely black.
The surface is covered with scales, because of which it looks “shaggy”. The flesh of a young mushroom is soft and white, tasteless and odorless, while in an old one it becomes viscous and black.
The plates under the hat are often located, have large sizes. At first they are white, then turn pink and, finally, turn into black, like the whole hat, goo. For this reason, the mushroom has a second name – ink.
The leg of the white dung beetle has a small diameter – about 2 cm, but a considerable length – from 10 to 35 cm. The shape is regular, cylindrical, with a thickening in the form of an onion in the lower part, inside – hollow, outside – fibrous. The color of the stem throughout the life of the fungus is white. It has a movable ring, blackening with time along with the hat.
More about what it looks like and where it grows – in a useful video:
White dung beetle edible or not
According to its characteristics, white dung beetle belongs to conditionally edible mushrooms of the fourth category. The chemical composition of 100 g of the product includes:
- proteins – 3,09 g;
- fats – 0,34 g;
- carbohydrates – 3,26 g;
- fiber – 1 g.
100 g of its pulp contains no more than 22 kcal.
The attitude to the 4th category is explained by the fact that white dung beetle is similar to poisonous, it is small in size, has fragility and is not very popular among mushroom pickers.
Safe for health is the young fruiting body of the white dung beetle, while the cap is ovoid and white. As soon as the mushrooms have entered the phase of self-digestion and began to darken, you should not eat them. At this point, they look extremely unattractive, which is also a signal not to use the product. Even harvested and frozen young fruiting bodies in their raw form are capable of self-decomposition.
In the specialized literature, there are several tips on the use of coprinus, among them:
- do not recommend mixing this species with others during processing;
- collect mushrooms in landfills, garbage dumps, near roads, near industrial enterprises;
- use the product along with alcohol.
Palatability
The edibility and taste of white dung beetle are not looked at the same way in different regions. Some consider it to be poisonous, so they never collect it, others consider it a delicacy.
Fans of this exotic mushroom are never left without prey, as it prefers to grow in a large company. Koprinus is used for fillings of pies, soups, snacks, canning. Experts believe that it is not difficult to cook white dung beetle and note its wonderful taste in salted, boiled or fried form.
Only young white fruiting bodies are harvested, no more than two hours are allotted for their processing, so that the process of autolysis (self-digestion) does not begin.
The benefits and harms of white dung beetle mushroom
Useful properties of white dung beetles and contraindications for use are associated with the chemical composition of the product, including:
- vitamins of group B, D1, D2, K1, E;
- minerals – zinc, calcium, sodium, phosphorus, selenium, iron, copper, potassium;
- amino acids;
- fructose;
- glucose;
- silk;
- acids (nicotinic, folic, pantothenic);
- saturated fatty acids;
- trypsin;
- maltase;
- tyrosine and histidine.
Due to such a rich chemical composition, white dung beetle is recommended for use in a number of diseases:
- diabetes – due to the hypoglycemic effect;
- prostate adenoma;
- decreased immunity;
- hemorrhoids and constipation – as an anesthetic;
- sluggish digestion;
- joint diseases;
- cardiovascular pathologies – as a prophylactic;
- alcoholism.
Powders or extracts are used for treatment.
Mushroom-based preparations are used to combat alcoholism. The product contains koprin, a substance that prevents the breakdown of alcohol in the human body. Its action is manifested in the poisoning of a person with undecomposed alcohol products with characteristic accompanying symptoms:
- nausea;
- redness of the skin;
- vomiting;
- intense thirst;
- deterioration of vision;
- feeling hot;
- increased heart rate.
These symptoms are present for three days. As a result of the use of a remedy with koprin during binge, a persistent aversion and rejection of alcohol is developed.
It should be remembered that white dung beetles easily absorb harmful substances from the soil, including heavy metals. For this reason, care must be taken in the choice of places for their collection.
False doubles
The white dung beetle has a unique appearance, due to which it is impossible to confuse this representative with other mushrooms, therefore, by definition, it has no twins. Some species are most similar to it.
Dung beetle flickering
The mushroom has an ovoid cap about 4 cm in diameter, with grooves. Its color is gray-brown, it is covered with scales. The leg is thin, hollow, fragile. A variety grows on rotten wood. Belongs to the conditionally edible category.
willow dung beetle
Its hat is whitish, egg-shaped, the grooves on the surface are more pronounced than those of the shimmering dung beetle. The edge is uneven, the stem is thin, white, smooth, inside is hollow. This species grows everywhere, from May to October. Inedible variety.
resinous dung beetle
The mushroom has a large egg-shaped cap with scales, which later takes on the shape of a bell. The leg is long (up to 20 cm), hollow, light, with a slight coating. Possesses an unpleasant smell. The variety is not used for food.
dung beetle
The mushroom has a yellowish closed cap, which later becomes lighter and opens. There are folds on its surface. The leg is thin, smooth, light, fragile, often does not withstand the weight of the cap, breaks, and then the dung beetle dies. The life span of the fungus is about a day. Refers to inedible species.
Dung beetle gray
It has an ovoid hat of gray-brown color, with a noticeable fibrous, covered with scales. The plates are grayish, darken later and blur with ink. Spore powder is black. The leg is white, hollow, about 15 cm long. There is no ring on it. Conditionally edible.
Collection rules
Although the white dung beetle has no dangerous counterparts, care must be taken when picking mushrooms. This requires the implementation of a number of safety rules:
- find out what a mushroom looks like at different stages of its development;
- do not collect it in landfills where accumulation of toxic substances is possible;
- take only young fruiting bodies with white plates, without signs of the autolysis process that has begun;
- at home, immediately sort out and remove specimens with pinkish plates;
- recycle within 2 hours of collection.
How to cook dung beetle mushroom
Despite the strange appearance of fruiting bodies, the gastronomic characteristics of the product are quite high. There are many white dung beetle recipes that can be used to prepare sauces, side dishes, first courses, pickles and marinades.
Trout with mushrooms
Slices of dung beetles are fried in oil with finely chopped garlic. A glass of white wine is poured into the pan and stewed for about half an hour under the lid, after which salt and pepper are added to taste. Put ½ cup of sour cream and fried trout slices into ready-made mushrooms. The dish is served to the table with greens and new potatoes.
Soup with dung beetles
60 g of millet groats and finely chopped onions (1 head) are poured into boiling water. Cook until the cereal is half cooked. Add potatoes (400 g), cut into strips, and cook until fully cooked. Before the end of cooking, put pieces of pickled white dung beetles (400 g), season with vegetable oil (2 tablespoons), salt and boil for 10 minutes.
White dung beetle recipes are distinguished by their variety, ease of execution, a combination of various products, and an interesting rich taste. The main thing at the same time is to have high-quality mushrooms, collected and processed according to all the rules.
Conclusion
White dung beetle has a strange appearance and a completely unappetizing name. Nevertheless, with proper collection and preparation, you can get not only tasty, but also healthy dishes.
In many countries, this variety is considered a delicacy and is grown on an industrial scale. Among our mushroom pickers, it has not yet gained wide popularity, but admirers of the product note its excellent taste.