Find and prepare porcini mushrooms: All information about the popular edible mushroom | Life & Knowledge

2023-09-23 10:46:52

Porcini mushrooms have a delicious, nutty taste and are a wonderful addition to any autumn menu, especially when braised or grilled.

Boletus edulis (lat. Boletus edulis) is a type of wild mushroom and is one of the most popular edible mushrooms. Porcini mushrooms are in season in late summer and early autumn, from August to October, depending on the region and weather.

Here you will find all the information about the appearance, how to collect them, the lookalikes of porcini mushrooms and tips for enjoying fresh porcini mushrooms.

Where do porcini mushrooms grow? Where can you collect them?

Boletus mushrooms typically grow in the coniferous and deciduous forests of Europe and North America. They grow under spruce, oak and birch trees. The boletus lives in root symbiosis with these trees. The name spruce boletus, for example, indicates that the mushroom is often found under spruce trees.

Be sure to pick mushrooms that are fresh, firm, and free of pests or discoloration. When storing porcini mushrooms, they should be kept dry and cool. Preferably in a paper towel or paper bag.

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How do I recognize porcini mushrooms?

Boletus mushrooms have a distinctive appearance with a large, thick and sturdy cap that can reach up to 25 centimeters in diameter. The hat is brown and may sometimes have a white, mesh-like pattern on its surface. The stem is thick and can grow up to 20 centimeters high. Porcini mushrooms do not have lamellae.

Brown cap, no fins and a thick style: these are the typical characteristics of porcini mushrooms

Foto: picture alliance / Zoonar

Other characteristic features are:

In the transition to the cap, the stem is significantly narrower. On the underside of the cap, young porcini mushrooms have whitish tubes that take on a yellow-green color as they age. Porcini mushrooms have no particular smell. They usually do not change color when cut.

Good to know: The porcini mushroom is a so-called tubular mushroom. This means that there are no firmly attached slats under the hat, but instead detachable tubes that look like a sponge. This sponge sits directly under the hat.

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By the way: Huge specimens of porcini mushrooms are often found. What is probably the largest boletus mushroom found so far in the world weighed 2.35 kilograms and was discovered on the Patscherkofel in Austria in 2019.

Can you also mix up porcini mushrooms?

Danger! When looking for wild mushrooms, you should always play it safe and only take what you recognize for sure. Some poisonous mushrooms such as common gall and chestnut mushrooms may resemble porcini mushrooms and can be dangerous to consume.

If you are unsure about mushroom finds, it is best to consult an experienced collector or mycologist.

This is how porcini mushrooms are prepared

Porcini mushrooms can be used in many dishes. They are particularly aromatic and delicious in combination with Parmesan in a porcini mushroom risotto, also delicious in a cream sauce with bread dumplings or, in the classic way, as “Bistecca Fiorentina”: a grilled half porcini mushroom on a tender beef fillet.

Pasta sauces and omelettes with porcini mushrooms are also delicious. Porcini mushrooms go well with ingredients such as garlic, butter, herbs (such as thyme and rosemary). When the season is over: Porcini mushrooms can also be dried and taste just as delicious when warmed up!

Tip: When preparing mushrooms, it is important to clean thoroughly and remove any dirt and debris. The stems can be tough, so they are often cut off or discarded.

The porcini mushrooms are freshly cleaned and put into the pan. Thyme goes perfectly with it

Foto: picture alliance / Shotshop

Good to know: Porcini mushrooms are a good source of vitamins, minerals and fiber. They are particularly rich in potassium, vitamin D and various B vitamins. They are also relatively low in calories.