Mushroom picking, which is also called "silent hunting", is one of the most common ways of relaxing the population of our country. By the way, only we are doing this so actively. In the forests of Hungary and Germany, there are slightly fewer mushrooms, but locals practically do not collect them.
This is largely due to the fear of poisoning. Unfortunately, sometimes this possibility is quite real. Do you know what mustard is? But he is known to experienced mushroom pickers under the name “bile” mushroom, being quite poisonous. In addition, some people know him under the name "false boletus", since the mustard is actually quite similar to it.
Where is it distributed?
Unfortunately, you can meet him in almost any forest on the territory of the former USSR. The growing season is from late July to late October. It is dangerous because it grows in groups, which is why inexperienced mushroom pickers often pick up full baskets of poisonous mushrooms. It prefers to grow on light loamy soils richly fertilized with fallen needles.
By the way, what is bitter, if we talk about its appearance? A distinctive feature in this case is a stocky strong leg filled with fibrous and loose pulp. Outside it is covered with a specific mesh of brownish or brownish color.
The hat stands out almost nothing. However, it can be distinguished by a thin layer of spongy substance on the underside of the cap. In real boletus this layer is much thicker.
In addition, in old mushrooms of this species, it acquires a rich ocher color, which is not observed in any edible mushroom. As they grow older, the bitterness (the photo of which is in the article) from a distance more and more begins to resemble a pillow, as its hat grows strongly, forming a real "airfield".
The inside of the hat and the leg itself is a light pink. On the cut, the flesh is also pinkish, in the air it quickly turns brown.
There is one way in which you can accurately determine the mustard: its flesh is terribly bitter. Putting even the smallest piece on your tongue, you will feel unbearable bitterness, which gradually turns into a strong burning sensation.
In general, mustard is a very attractive mushroom. It is neat, smooth and absolutely perfect, as it is never affected by mushroom flies. An inexperienced mushroom picker himself can be convinced of the correctness of insects: even one mustard, caught in a pan with fried mushrooms, inevitably spoils their taste.
Despite the misconception that once existed, this bitterness cannot be corrected by any culinary processing.
What is dangerous?
Asking the question of what mustard is, one cannot but mention its danger. Unfortunately, a spoiled dish is the smallest of those problems that you can expect. Doctors aptly call it “hepatic fungus,” since the toxins contained in it lead to irreversible impaired liver function.
In fairness, it must be said that cases of poisoning are extremely rare. Oddly enough, but with a long cooking, bitterness only intensifies, so it’s hard to imagine a person who would voluntarily eat such a dish.
Thus, this mushroom is poisonous, but talk about the real danger is still not necessary. This is what bitterness is!