John Miller
Mushrooms are a type of fungus that can be found in various environments, including cold winter climates. While some varieties stop producing fruiting bodies in early autumn, others thrive in the winter months, particularly near trees. These winter mushrooms can be a valuable food source and offer a range of medicinal benefits. Foraging for mushrooms in winter can be challenging, but it is possible to find edible and medicinal varieties such as chaga, wood ear, lion's mane, velvet shank, and oyster mushrooms. With the right knowledge and caution, winter mushroom foraging can be a rewarding outdoor activity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mushrooms that grow in winter | Chaga, Wood Ear, Lion's Mane, Velvet Shank, Oyster, Enoki, Turkey Tail, Blewit, Brick Tops, Jelly Ear, Velvet Foot, Mock Oyster, Panellus, Crowded Parchment |
| Mushrooms that grow in winter and are edible | Wood Ear, Lion's Mane, Oyster, Enoki, Turkey Tail, Blewit, Brick Tops, Jelly Ear, Velvet Foot, Enoki, Oyster |
| Mushrooms that grow in winter and are medicinal | Chaga, Lion's Mane, Turkey Tail, Crowded Parchment |
| Mushrooms that are available as vegetables in winter | Chaga, Wood Ear, Lion's Mane, Velvet Shank, Oyster, Enoki, Turkey Tail, Blewit, Brick Tops, Jelly Ear, Velvet Foot, Mock Oyster, Panellus, Crowded Parchment |
| Techniques for cooking mushrooms to retain nutrients | Grilling, microwaving, boiling in water and consuming the water (e.g. in soups), frying |
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What You'll Learn
Mushrooms are available in winter
Some mushrooms, such as the velvet foot and jelly ear, are soft-bodied mushrooms that fruit from late autumn to early winter. Other varieties, including the late fall oyster, blewits, and brick tops, will occasionally emerge when the weather is mild or during a thaw. Velvet shank mushrooms, for example, are often found from September to April, but they will not survive a freeze.
In addition, some perennial mushrooms grow year-round, and it is better to harvest them in the winter when the trees are dormant. Chaga mushrooms, for instance, grow on birch trees in the winter and are known for their medicinal qualities. Similarly, wood ear mushrooms can be found outside of winter, but they also thrive from September to March, often growing on sycamore and elder trees.
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Some mushrooms thrive in cold weather
While mushroom foraging is typically a warm-weather hobby, some mushrooms thrive in cold weather and won't sprout until temperatures drop. These cold-weather mushrooms can be foraged in winter, even in cold climates.
In the Pacific Northwest, for example, late winter to mid-spring is the best time to start outdoor mushroom projects. Some mushrooms grow year-round, and it's better to harvest them in the winter when the trees are dormant.
There are several varieties of edible mushrooms that can be found in winter, particularly near trees. Chaga mushrooms, for instance, are medicinal mushrooms that grow on birch trees. They have hair-like white "manes" and are often found in cold (but not extremely cold) environments. They can be eaten raw, cooked, dried, or steeped as tea. Wood ear mushrooms are another variety that thrives in winter, from September to March. They have a jelly-like texture and a reddish-brown colour, and they are commonly found on sycamore and elder trees.
Other mushrooms that can be foraged in winter include the velvet shank, which grows on beech and oak trees from September to April; blewits, which are purple to lilac in colour and often found in grassy areas in late fall and winter; and yellowfoot chanterelles, which have hollow stems and trumpet-like shapes with yellow-to-orange colours.
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Perennial mushrooms grow year-round
Mushrooms are neither a fruit nor a vegetable; they are a type of fungus. While most mushrooms stop producing fruiting bodies in early autumn, some varieties, such as the velvet foot and jelly ear, fruit from late autumn to early winter. Other varieties, including the oyster mushroom, blewits, brick tops, and lion's mane, can also be found in winter.
Another mushroom that grows in the winter is the chaga mushroom, which grows on birch trees. It is medicinal and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It can also reduce cholesterol, lower blood pressure, ease arthritis pain, combat cancer, and slow aging.
In warmer climates, some mushrooms, such as the oyster mushroom, grow year-round. Oyster mushrooms grow on dead or dying hardwood trees like beech and oak. They can be found in forests throughout the world, including North America.
Outdoor perennial mushroom growing is usually done on hardwood logs and wood chips. For inoculating logs, one must cut healthy wood when they are dormant from fall through late winter. Once cut, the logs are drilled every six inches all around, and wooden dowels with fungi growing on them are inserted and then sealed with wax. The logs are then laid somewhere moist for 6-18 months as the fungi run through the log. Once the fungi have colonized the log, it will begin to fruit when the temperature and moisture levels are right.
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Winter mushroom foraging
While many people believe that winter is not the best time for mushroom foraging, there are still some edible mushrooms that can be found during the coldest parts of the year. Winter mushroom foraging is a great reason to get outdoors in the cooler seasons. However, it is not for beginners, and one must be cautious and do their research before foraging and consuming mushrooms found in the wild as many mushrooms have toxic look-alikes.
Some mushrooms, such as the yellowfoot chanterelle, thrive in cold weather. This mushroom has a hollow stem and a trumpet-like shape with a yellow-to-orange colour. It can be found near trees, along with the wood ear mushroom, which grows on sycamore and elder trees. The wood ear mushroom has a reddish-brown colour and a jelly-like texture. It is edible and can be used in soups, salads, and sauces.
In addition to these, the chaga mushroom, a medicinal variety that grows on birch trees, can be found in the winter. It has anti-inflammatory properties and can reduce cholesterol and lower blood pressure. The lion's mane mushroom, which is another medicinal variety that is easy to identify due to its white, hair-like appearance, can also be found in the winter. However, it is illegal to forage in some places, so it is important to check local regulations before foraging.
The velvet shank is another mushroom that can be found in the winter, typically growing on dead or dying beech and oak trees. It gets its name from its velvety brown caps and glossy stems. While the blewit mushroom, which has a purple to lilac colour, can be found in leaf litter or grassy areas in late fall and winter.
Winter greens, edible roots, and tubers can also be found beneath the snow, along with berries such as nannyberries, highbush cranberries, barberries, rose hips, and partridgeberries.
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Edible and medicinal qualities
Mushrooms are a fungus that has been consumed for their nutritional and culinary value for thousands of years. Edible mushrooms are defined by the absence of poisonous effects on humans, desirable taste, and aroma. They are a good source of umami flavor and bring a savory taste to meals without adding much fat, calories, or sodium.
Some common edible mushrooms include button mushrooms, which are typically white or light brown, plump, and dome-shaped; cremini mushrooms, which are the younger, smaller version of portabella mushrooms with dark tan to rich brown caps; shiitake mushrooms, which are tan to dark brown with broad, umbrella-shaped caps and a rich, full-bodied flavor; and oyster mushrooms, which have a fluted cap that resembles a fan and range in color from soft beige-brown to gray. Larger king oyster mushrooms are also available. Chanterelle mushrooms are another option, with a bright yellow to orange color and a vase-like shape, though they are expensive when fresh. They are easily recognizable and can be foraged in winter. Other edible mushrooms include the wood ear, velvet shank, blewits, black trumpets, and lion's mane.
When it comes to medicinal qualities, mushrooms have been studied for their potential health benefits and their role in warding off chronic diseases. Mushrooms are a source of ergothioneine, an amino acid and antioxidant that can prevent or slow cellular damage. They are also naturally low in sodium, which can help lower blood pressure. In addition, certain varieties of mushrooms, such as shiitake, oyster, maitake, and king oyster, have higher amounts of ergothioneine and have been found to help keep cholesterol levels low. Vitamin D-rich mushrooms can also help maintain and build strong bones.
Furthermore, mushrooms have been extensively researched for their potential in cancer treatment and prevention. A review of multiple cancer studies found that consuming even a small amount of mushrooms daily may significantly lower the risk of cancer. Traditional Chinese medicine has also used mushroom extracts for cancer prevention and treatment, and they have been shown to alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. One such medicinal mushroom is Lentinula edodes, or shiitake, which contains active hexose correlated compound (AHCC), a nutritional supplement that has shown beneficial effects in cancer treatment.
While foraging for wild mushrooms can be dangerous, as many poisonous mushrooms resemble edible ones, certain varieties like the chaga mushroom, which has a textured, hair-like "mane" and stark white color, are considered medicinal and can be foraged in winter. Chaga mushrooms contain antioxidants, have anti-inflammatory properties, can reduce cholesterol, lower blood pressure, ease arthritis pain, and may even have potential in treating Alzheimer's and dementia, according to ongoing studies.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms are not vegetables; they are fungi. However, some mushrooms thrive in the winter months, especially near trees, and can be foraged during winter.
Mushrooms that can be foraged in winter include:
- Chaga
- Wood ear
- Turkey tail
- Lion's mane
- Velvet shank
- Oyster
- Enoki
- Blewit
- Brick tops
- Jelly ear
- Velvet foot
Foraging mushrooms in winter can be more difficult than in warmer months. Mushrooms can be hard to find, and frost is always a threat. Beginners should not attempt to forage mushrooms as many mushrooms have toxic look-alikes. Always do your research before consuming foraged mushrooms.
Mushrooms are rich in antioxidants and polysaccharides, which have been shown to boost immunity and protect against cancer. They also contain ergothioneine and glutathione. Research suggests that microwaving and grilling are the best cooking techniques for preserving the nutritional content of mushrooms.
