For me, there’s no higher strategy to kick off the brand new yr than with a stroll within the woods in search of fungi. It solely feels proper to set this yr’s tempo by spending time within the outdoor with mates, household, and maybe a canine companion, checking my winter mushroom spots that I do know from earlier years.
Whereas January isn’t thought of the very best time of yr for mushroom foraging, particularly in areas enduring freezing temperatures and snow, it’s nonetheless doable to get a worthwhile yield if you understand what you’re doing. On this article, I’ll be discussing a few of the most scrumptious late-season mushrooms you could possibly discover in January.
1. The Wooden Blewit (Lepista nuda)
Blewits are spectacular mushrooms that usually happen in the direction of the tip of the mushroom season. Their look coincides with cooling temperatures, and they’re one of the widespread fleshy fungi yow will discover in January. They develop in deciduous forests and are significantly keen on oak.
- Lavender to amethyst in coloration with pink spores.
- Typical stem and cap form with gills.
- When picked, they usually have thick mycelium strands at their base that join them to the leaf litter they develop from.
- A candy, fruity aroma that’s usually in comparison with frozen orange juice.
- Lookalikes embody purple Cortinarius species which have rust-colored spores.
2. The Velvet Shank (Flammulina velutipes)
The Velvet Shank is infamous for occurring through the coldest occasions of the yr. It’s not unusual to search out these effectively into winter, and even see them fruiting amidst the snow. They’re generally additionally known as wild enoki since they’re carefully associated to the enoki mushrooms consumed in Asian delicacies.
- Rising instantly from lifeless or dying hardwood bushes. Stumps, fallen branches, and old-standing trunks are typically good habitats. Oak, elm, willow, and different hardwoods are widespread hosts.
- They usually happen in clusters of 5 or extra mushrooms. Typically there will likely be a number of clusters on the identical piece of wooden. If it’s not rising in clusters, it’s in all probability not a velvet shank.
- Every mushroom is usually solely a pair inches in dimension with a shiny brown cap. Cap is commonly a lighter coloration in the direction of the margin.
- The stem is brown and velvety, significantly in the direction of the bottom. The highest of the stem is lighter in coloration. There isn’t a ring current.
- The spores are white.
- One of many riskiest lookalikes is the Lethal Galerina. The variations are that Enoki mushrooms have whitish-yellow gills, a velvety darkish brown stem, and a white spore print, whereas lethal Galerina mushrooms exhibit rusty-brown gills, a clean stem with a hoop, and a rusty-brown spore print.
3. Chaga (Inonotus obliquus)
Even if you happen to stay within the far northern United States and are buried in snow, there are nonetheless mushrooms on the market you’ll be able to harvest. Chaga is a medicinal mushroom that grows from birch bushes and is usually harvested within the winter months. Aside from being packed stuffed with antioxidants, it additionally has a candy vanilla-like taste that’s moderately pleasurable.
- Darkish, tumor-like progress that seems instantly from Birch. Whether it is rising from Aspen, Oak, Poplar, or different tree species, then you definately’ve bought one thing else. Don’t trouble pondering if it’s Chaga.
- The skin is black with a cracked texture and appears nearly like charcoal.
- If you break it open, it must be a powdery golden-brown on the within and odor mildly candy.
4. Oyster Mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus)
Oyster mushrooms are generally cultivated because of their scrumptious taste and texture, however they can be wild-foraged through the winter months. Whereas they don’t deal with exhausting frosts, they’re fairly cold-tolerant and can opportunistically fruit each time situations are proper.
- Oyster mushrooms develop from the woody particles of many alternative hardwood bushes. This consists of Oak, Cottonwood, Elm, Beech, Alder, Poplar, Ash, Walnut, and lots of others.
- The cap floor is clean and tends to be both grey or white for winter varieties.
- The cap is commonly “kidney bean” formed.
- The gills are white and run down the stem, seamlessly merging with it.
- The stem is distinct, off-centered, and grows at an angle and even horizontally.
- The spores are white.
5. Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus)
Lion’s Mane is a scrumptious edible mushroom that has additionally lately grow to be popularized for its medicinal properties. Whereas in conventional Chinese language drugs, it’s valued for selling digestive well being, fashionable analysis suggests it may assist enhance mind operate. This can be a bucket-list mushroom for a lot of of us, and it’s additionally one yow will discover through the winter season, if you happen to’re fortunate.
- Lion’s Mane is usually discovered rising from lifeless or dwelling Oaks. It may possibly additionally happen with different hardwoods. Don’t overlook to search for, as they’re widespread excessive up on the trunks of dwelling bushes.
- The mushroom itself is totally white when younger however begins to show golden-brown as they age. As soon as previous, they tackle a bitter style.
- They’re usually known as “pom-pom” mushrooms due to their spherical form and tons of of small, dangling enamel that dangle from their our bodies.
- Small specimens are sometimes simply a few inches in diameter, however they are often bigger than a soccer ball.
- The within flesh must be mushy, fluffy, and fully white with a light fungal odor.
Pleasant Reminder . . . At all times Double Verify
Lastly, I wish to give a pleasant reminder to at all times double test your findings you probably have any doubts. Verify a number of sources, and, if doable, search affirmation from an skilled forager. I don’t advocate utilizing this brief article alone as your sole supply of data for figuring out these mushrooms. As I at all times advocate, when doubtful, throw them out.
Good luck on the market, and will this new yr be stuffed with mushrooms.
