Going on a "silent hunt", every mushroom picker would like to find a boletus, because it is very appreciated for its taste. But in order to collect this valuable mushroom, you need to know where the boletus grows, and how they look.
General information about boletus
Each mushroom is different in taste and appearance. So, the boletus is beautiful, noble, with a bright hat (on average 5 cm) on a large thick leg, a mushroom (stretches up to 20 cm). In different regions they call it "red-headed", "krasnyuk", "aspen", "red mushroom". Such names give an idea of what a boletus looks like and where it can be found. Firstly,
it is a mushroom with a red hat. But nevertheless, depending on the place where it grows, external characteristics can vary. It is important to note that young specimens are not very similar to mature redheads.
Secondly, from the name you can understand where the aspen trees grow - near the aspens. But experienced mushroom pickers note that the red-headed head is not so common in aspen. Usually he chooses mixed forests.
When can I find boletus?
Like most other mushrooms, these also grow in layers. Mushrooms of the first layer are called "spikes" because they begin to collect at a time when winter crops reap. This usually happens in early June. It was then that the first boletus began to appear. But this crop is usually poor, and if you are lucky, the mushroom picker will find a few. But already in July, redheads begin to massively climb out of the ground. With small interruptions, they grow up to the first October frosts.
What if it’s a toadstool ?!
Beginner mushroom pickers may not be very clear about what the boletus looks like, and be frightened of the bright variety that they encounter on the “hunt”. Doubt may arise: what if it is a grebe. Interestingly, the boletus is an amazing mushroom and, knowing how it looks, to confuse it with another, especially with a poisonous fellow, it is simply impossible.
But still, in order not to doubt and know which mushroom you cut, you need to find out what the redhead looks like. Interestingly, the color of the hat depends entirely on where the boletus grows. So, several types of these mushrooms can be distinguished.
Yellow brown boletus
This representative is the largest of the boletus. Sometimes you can find an adult mushroom, in which the hat in diameter reached 30 centimeters. On a white leg with black-brown scales, a hemispherical hat of a yellow-brown boletus is held . If there is any doubt whether this is a mushroom, you can look at the kink. Its white, dense pulp should turn pink and gradually turn purple.
This species of boletus is found in mixed forests, where aspen, spruce and birch mainly grow. The mushroom loves sandy, peaty or rocky soils.
Red boletus
This representative is distinguished by a rich red, sometimes brownish hat. The leg of the fungus is white, with light scales. Its pulp is dense. A violet color appears at the break , but gradually darkens and acquires an almost black tint. This handsome man can be found in a young aspen forest, from July to October. If summer turned out to be sultry, red boletus can be found near perennial aspens.
White boletus
The name of this mushroom indicates that both the hat and the leg are white, but only in their youth. Over time, the hat becomes gray, and in a mature state - dirty gray with a brown tint. The kink acquires a pink or bluish color, gradually becoming brownish-black. You can find it at the end of summer, and the collection continues in the fall. Where do white-cap boletus mushrooms grow ? These mushrooms love mixed forests, where the predominant trees are pine, birch and aspen.
Oak boletus
This mushroom differs from other boletus with a velvety hat of red-brick color. It is usually found in mixed oak-aspen forests.
Regardless of the species, the boletus in the forest chooses clearings, edges and slightly damp areas. It can be found under the fern and in the shaded corners. If you stumble upon one boletus, look for its "relatives" nearby.
Features of boletus
Redheads grow fast enough. But also soon they become unusable, wormy, and that is why it is better to collect them with young mushrooms (experienced mushroom pickers are called calves). As already mentioned, cannabis is not at all like an adult mushroom. Young specimens resemble a thimble worn on a finger. If the boletus is already old, it is better not to touch it, since it can begin to deteriorate on the way home, in the basket. Mushrooms also tend to absorb radioactive substances from the soil and from the air. The older the mushroom, the more he managed to accumulate harmful elements.
Boletus mushroom: a description of useful properties
The red-headed on the cut quickly darkens, and this is due to its chemical composition. These mushrooms are very tasty and healthy. It contains proteins, dietary fiber, proteins, fatty acids, fats, category B vitamins, carbohydrates, disaccharides, monosaccharides. Boletus can also enrich the body with potassium, calcium, iron, phosphorus. The protein found in this fungus is easily absorbed.
After harvesting, it is important to immediately go home and begin processing mushrooms, as they quickly begin to deteriorate. If you put the boletus in the refrigerator, they will disappear. The brought mushrooms can be pickled, dried, salted or immediately cooked a dish. It is worth noting that after cooking the mushroom acquires a black color, but this should not be scared, since such a phenomenon is quite natural for the boletus.