Sarah Brown
Black trumpet mushrooms, also known as the horn of plenty, are a choice edible mushroom variety. They are found in woods in Europe, North America, Japan, and Korea. Black trumpets are thin-fleshed, hollow, and vase-shaped, with a fruity, smoky flavour. They are often found in mossy, damp forests, near oak, beech, and maple trees. They are considered a gourmet ingredient and are highly valued by chefs and mushroom hunters.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Names | Black Trumpet, Horn of Plenty, Horn of Death, Trumpet of Death, Devil's Trumpet, Devil's Horn, Black Chanterelle, Poor Man's Truffle, Trompette de la Mort, Devil's Urn |
| Scientific Names | Craterellus fallax (Eastern US), Craterellus cornucopioides (Europe), Craterellus foetidus (Eastern and Mid-Western US), Craterellus caeruleofuscus (Great Lakes, California), and possibly more |
| Colour | Black, Dark Grey, Dark Brown, Tan, Light Grey |
| Shape | Trumpet, Vase, Bull-horn, Funnel |
| Size | 1-6 inches tall |
| Flesh | Thin, soft, tears easily |
| Gills | False gills (wrinkles in mushroom surface) |
| Stem | Hollow |
| Spore Print | Pale pink to orange, whitish to creamy |
| Aroma | Fruity, smoky, apricot-like, sweet |
| Taste | Savoury, truffle-like |
| Season | Summer, Fall (Winter in Deep South and California) |
| Location | North America, Europe, Japan, Korea |
| Trees | Oak, Ash, Beech, Maple, Tanbark-oak, Pine |
| Soil | Rich, dark, moist, heavy calcareous |
| Other Indicators | Sphagnum moss, yellowfoot chanterelles |
| Health Benefits | Rich in dietary fibre, low in saturated and unsaturated fat, excellent immune system boosters |
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What You'll Learn
- Black trumpet mushrooms are edible and nutritious
- They are easy to identify and have no poisonous look-alikes
- They have a unique aroma and flavour, likened to truffles
- They can be found in mossy, damp forests, usually near oak and beech trees
- They are thin-fleshed and hollow with a smooth interior and no gills
Black trumpet mushrooms are edible and nutritious
Black trumpet mushrooms, also known as the horn of plenty or horn of death, are edible and nutritious. They are considered a gourmet ingredient and a choice edible mushroom. They are also incredibly delicious and one of the best-tasting wild mushrooms. Black trumpets have a rich, smoky taste with an aroma that hints of light fruitiness, sometimes described as apricots. They can be cooked in butter or garlic and are commonly paired with eggs, pasta, creamy spreads, or ground into salt.
Black trumpets are also rich in dietary fibre and low in saturated and unsaturated fat. Dietary fibre helps stimulate digestion and can relieve constipation. Mushrooms, in general, are extremely rich in vitamins and are excellent immune system boosters.
Black trumpet mushrooms are easily identifiable and perfect for beginner mushroom hunters. They are vase or bull-horn shaped and generally black, dark grey, or dark brown. They can also be exposed to the sun, which dries them out and lightens their colour to light grey or tan. They are thinly fleshed and have hollow stems. Their veiny, wrinkled appearance is due to false gills, which are forked ridges or folds that run from the underside of the cap down the stem. The undersides may be lighter in colour than the inside and top and may become lighter the closer they get to the ground. They feel slightly soft when rubbed between the fingers and tear easily.
Black trumpets can be found in woods in Europe, North America, Japan, and Korea. They typically grow under beech, oak, or other broad-leaved trees, especially in mossy, moist areas on heavy calcareous soil. They are often found in mature forests, where they provide lots of shade, and near small sources of water or swampy areas with decaying and dead wood. They are usually found in the summer and fall, but in the deep south, they are found in the winter.
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They are easy to identify and have no poisonous look-alikes
Black trumpet mushrooms are one of the easiest wild mushrooms to identify, with nearly no real look-alikes. They are also known as the horn of plenty, the horn of death, the devil's horn, the trumpet of death, and the black chanterelle. They are edible and highly sought after by chefs and mushroom hunters alike. Black trumpets are small, vase or bull-horn shaped, and generally black, dark grey, or dark brown in hue. They can also be found in lighter shades of grey or tan, depending on sun exposure. Their thin flesh and hollow stems give them a delicate texture, and they have a distinctive fruity, smoky flavour.
Black trumpets are often found in mature forests, where they grow in harmony with certain trees, particularly oak, ash, beech, and maple. They have a preference for shady, damp environments with rich, moist soil and an abundance of moss. While they can be challenging to spot due to their small size and camouflage against the forest floor, once you find one, you will likely discover many more in the same area. Hunting for black trumpets can be likened to searching for holes in the ground, and their distinct aroma can also help guide you to their location.
One of the advantages of foraging for black trumpets is that they have no poisonous look-alikes, making them ideal for beginner mushroom hunters. The similar-looking devil's urn mushroom is non-poisonous and can be distinguished by its spring seasonality. Black trumpets typically fruit from mid-summer to late autumn, although the specific timing depends on the region and local conditions.
To identify black trumpets, look for their distinctive shape and colour. They are hollow, trumpet, vase, or funnel-shaped, with a smooth-skinned interior and a whitish or rust-coloured bloom on their outer, spore-producing surface. Their undersides lack true gills but may have linear grooves or wrinkles, and they may be lighter in colour than the inside and top of the mushroom. When rubbed between your fingers, their thin flesh should feel slightly soft, and they should tear easily.
In addition to their appearance and texture, black trumpets have a unique aroma described as dark and intensely sweet, like overripe apricots. Their flavour is also distinctive, with a rich, smoky taste and a hint of light fruitiness. This combination of traits makes black trumpet mushrooms a highly sought-after ingredient for chefs and foragers alike.
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They have a unique aroma and flavour, likened to truffles
Black trumpet mushrooms, also known as the horn of plenty, horn of death, or devil's horn, are a rare culinary treat. They are highly sought after for their unique aroma and flavour, which has been likened to truffles. This makes them a gourmet ingredient, valued by chefs around the world.
The black trumpet mushroom has a rich, smoky taste with a fruity aroma, described as sweet and dark, with hints of apricot or light fruitiness. Their flavour is so distinctive that they are sometimes called "poor man's truffle". The aroma is also said to be intensely sweet and unique, like overripe apricots.
Black trumpets are small, ranging from 1 to 4 inches tall, and are tubular or vase-shaped when young, maturing into the namesake trumpet or funnel shape. They are usually dark in colour, ranging from black to grey to brown, with a whitish or rust-coloured bloom on the outer surface. They have thin flesh, a smooth interior, and false gills that resemble wrinkles or folds, rather than separable true gills.
These mushrooms grow in mature forests, often under broad-leaved trees such as beech, oak, or maple, and are found in mossy, moist areas with heavy calcareous soil. They are typically found in the summer and fall, growing individually or in small clusters.
Black trumpet mushrooms are not just delicious but also nutritious, offering dietary fibre and vitamins while being low in saturated and unsaturated fats. They can be prepared in various ways, including pan-searing, making sauces, or drying them to intensify their flavour.
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They can be found in mossy, damp forests, usually near oak and beech trees
Black trumpet mushrooms are typically found in mossy, damp forests, usually near oak and beech trees. They are often discovered in mature forests, where the canopy of trees provides ample shade, particularly at a distance from the trees themselves. While they are not commonly found directly under the trees, they are frequently spotted near the edge of the canopy.
These mushrooms favour moist, shady environments, often near small sources of water or swampy areas with decaying and dead wood. They are known to grow in harmony with certain trees, such as oak, ash, and beech, and can also survive by feeding off decaying organic matter. Black trumpet mushrooms have a preference for sphagnum moss and are often found in its presence.
The mushrooms are typically found on gentle slopes of low hillocks, rarely exceeding 10-15 feet in height. They are known to grow individually, scattered, or in small clusters within hardwood, deciduous woodlands. Black trumpet mushrooms are thin-fleshed and have a distinctive appearance, with a smooth-skinned interior and a lack of true gills. They are generally black, dark grey, or dark brown, but can lighten to grey or tan when exposed to sunlight.
Black trumpet mushrooms are highly sought-after due to their unique flavour and aroma, which has been likened to truffles. They are considered a gourmet ingredient and are widely regarded as one of the best-tasting wild edible mushrooms available. Foragers and chefs alike eagerly anticipate the arrival of these mushrooms each year, as they present a delightful culinary opportunity.
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They are thin-fleshed and hollow with a smooth interior and no gills
Black trumpet mushrooms, also known as the horn of plenty or horn of death, are edible mushrooms that are highly sought after by chefs and mushroom hunters. They are thin-fleshed and hollow with a smooth interior and no gills. This makes them distinct from other mushrooms, which often have gills or pores on the outside.
Black trumpets are small mushrooms, typically ranging from 1 to 4 inches tall, with some reaching up to 6 inches. They are trumpet, vase, or funnel-shaped and generally black, dark grey, or dark brown in colour. The mushrooms grow in mature forests, often near the edge of the canopy, and have a preference for shady, moist areas with decaying and dead wood. They are often found near sources of water or in swampy areas.
The thin flesh of black trumpet mushrooms acts as a natural deterrent for bugs, as insects rarely feed on them. However, slugs and snails may be attracted to these mushrooms. Black trumpets are also known to attract spiders, which may make their homes inside the funnel-shaped mushrooms.
The distinctive shape and colour of black trumpet mushrooms make them relatively easy to identify, and they are considered one of the easiest wild mushrooms to recognise. They are highly valued in culinary applications and are known for their deep, smoky, and fruity flavour, which is often compared to truffles.
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Frequently asked questions
Black trumpet mushrooms, also known as the horn of plenty, are a gourmet variety of edible mushrooms. They are found in woods in Europe, North America, Japan and Korea.
Black trumpets are small, vase-shaped mushrooms that are generally black, dark grey or dark brown in hue. They can also be tan or light grey. They have thin flesh, a smooth-skinned interior, and no gills or pores on the outside.
Black trumpets are considered to be one of the best-tasting wild edible mushrooms. Their flavour has been compared to truffles, and they possess a rich, smoky taste with an aroma that hints at light fruitiness.
Black trumpets are found in mature forests, where the tree canopy provides lots of shade. They are often found near oak, ash, beech and maple trees, and prefer mossy, moist areas on heavy calcareous soil.
Black trumpets are typically found in the summer and fall, although this can vary depending on the region. In New England, they fruit from mid-July to late August, while in California, they are a winter mushroom, fruiting from November through March.
