Laura Smith
Hedgehog mushrooms, also known as sweet tooth, are edible fungi with a sweet, nutty flavour and a chewy texture. They are identified by their dull orangish-tan caps and small spines or teeth on their undersides. They are found on the ground in mixed woods, often in close association with trees. While there are several species of hedgehog mushrooms, they are all edible and non-toxic, with no poisonous lookalikes. They are considered a good option for beginner mushroom foragers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Names | Hedgehog Mushrooms, Sweet Tooth, Wood Hedgehog, Pig's Trotter, White Hedgehog, Yellow Tooth Fungus, Wood Urchin, Spreading Hedgehog, Terracotta Hedgehog, Depressed Hedgehog |
| Scientific Names | Hydnum repandum, Hydnum umbilicatum, Hydnum rufescens, Hydnum albomagnum, Hydnum alboaurantiacum, Hydnum cuspidatum, Hydnum ferruginescens, Hydnum subconnatum, Hydnum subtilior, Hydnum vagabundum |
| Cap Width | 1/2–7 inches |
| Stalk Length | 1–4 inches |
| Stalk Width | 3/8–11/4 inches |
| Cap Diameter | 4–20 cm |
| Cap Colour | Cream, Yellow, Buff, Chanterelle Orange, Salmon Pink, Pale Orange, Orangish Tan |
| Stalk Colour | Pale Yellowish White |
| Flesh Colour | White, Bruising Yellow to Orange-Brown |
| Underside Colour | Pale Yellowish White, Bruising Ochre |
| Spore Colour | White |
| Habitat | Ground in Mixed Woods, Conifer-only Forests, Red Oak, Black Trumpet Mushrooms |
| Region | Southern China, Europe, Eastern North America, Northern China, Alpine Southwestern China, Japan, Venezuela, Oregon, Midwest, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Pacific Northwest, UK, France, Provence, Missouri |
| Season | Late Summer to Fall, June to November, July to November, December |
| Taste | Sweet, Nutty, Earthy, Smokey |
| Texture | Dense, Crunchy, Tender, Meaty, Chewy, Brittle |
| Nutrition | Carbohydrates (56%), Fat (4%), Protein (20%), Copper, Manganese, Palmitate, Stearic Acid, Oleic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Mycosterol |
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What You'll Learn
- Hedgehog mushrooms are edible and have a sweet, nutty flavour
- They have no poisonous lookalikes and are easy to forage
- They are also known as 'sweet tooth' because they are sweet and have 'teeth'
- They are found in mixed forests or conifer-only forests
- They are short and stout, growing close to the ground in association with trees
Hedgehog mushrooms are edible and have a sweet, nutty flavour
Hedgehog mushrooms, or Hydnum repandum, are edible fungi with a sweet, nutty flavour. They are considered a culinary delicacy, with a taste that has been likened to chanterelles, but with a slightly earthier and smokier take on the trademark apricot flavour. The texture is described as dense, chewy, and crunchy.
These mushrooms are easily identifiable due to their short, stout appearance and unique \"teeth\" or spines on the underside of their caps, resembling hedgehog quills. The caps are irregularly shaped and range in colour from dull orangish-tan to salmon pink, cream, and yellow. Hedgehog mushrooms are ground-dwellers, often found in mixed or conifer-only forests, and are known to have a symbiotic relationship with trees.
Hedgehog mushrooms are a safe choice for foragers as they have no known poisonous lookalikes. They are also resistant to insects and slugs, making them a clean find in the wild. However, it is important to inspect the teeth for dirt, as the spines can trap debris, especially in sandy areas or after rainfall.
When cooking, hedgehog mushrooms retain their dense texture and can be prepared in various ways, including pickling, simmering in milk or stock, and sautéing. They are a versatile ingredient, suitable for grilling and used as a meat substitute.
Hedgehog mushrooms are also known as \"sweet tooth\" due to their sweet flavour, and they have been a popular edible for centuries. They are a good source of dietary minerals, especially copper and manganese.
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They have no poisonous lookalikes and are easy to forage
Hedgehog mushrooms, or Hydnum repandum, are a great option for beginner foragers as they are easy to identify and have no poisonous lookalikes. They are also edible and delicious, with a sweet, nutty flavour and a dense, crunchy texture.
The most distinguishable feature of hedgehog mushrooms is the presence of teeth or spines underneath their caps, instead of gills. These spines sometimes run down at least one side of the stipe. The caps are irregularly shaped and dull orangish-tan in colour, with a smooth texture. The flesh is thick, white, and bruises yellow to orange-brown. The stipe is straight, pale yellowish-white, smooth, and often off-centre. The mushrooms grow on the ground in mixed woods, typically in association with trees. They are short and stout, and their caps can range in diameter from 4 cm to 20 cm.
Hedgehog mushrooms can be identified by their distinctive teeth or spines on the underside of the cap. Lookalikes, such as chanterelles (Cantharellus spp.) and bearded tooth (Hericium erinaceus), do not have these characteristic features. Chanterelles have a fruity, apricot aroma that distinguishes them from hedgehog mushrooms. Bearded tooth, on the other hand, grows on wood and forms a beard-like whitish mass, looking very different from hedgehog mushrooms.
While all species of hedgehog mushrooms are edible, some may be bitter, especially as they mature. To determine whether a hedgehog mushroom is bitter, you can perform a simple field test by biting off a tiny piece of the cap and letting it sit on your tongue. If you find it bitter, spit it out and do not consume it raw. It is important to note that while hedgehog mushrooms are non-toxic, consuming wild mushrooms for the first time should be approached with caution as some individuals may be allergic to certain fungi.
Hedgehog mushrooms are a popular edible species that have been foraged for centuries. They are also known as “sweet tooth” due to their sweet taste and the presence of teeth. They are considered a culinary treat and can be cooked in various ways, such as pickling, simmering in milk or stock, or sautéing.
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They are also known as 'sweet tooth' because they are sweet and have 'teeth'
Hedgehog mushrooms, or Hydnum repandum, are known for their sweet, nutty flavour and chewy texture. They are also called "sweet tooth" because of their sweet taste and the distinctive "teeth" or spines on the underside of their caps. These "teeth" are short, brittle, and icicle-like, and are used to identify the mushroom. The caps of hedgehog mushrooms are irregularly shaped, with a dull orangish-tan colour and a smooth texture. They are often lopsided, fused, or bracket-like, with a wavy margin.
Hedgehog mushrooms are late summer to fall fungi, depending on the location. They typically grow close to the ground in association with trees, particularly in mixed forests or conifer-only forests. They are slow-growing and strongly resistant to insects and slugs compared to faster-growing mushrooms. The mycelium of hedgehog fungi forms a symbiotic relationship with tree roots, aiding in the uptake of water and minerals, especially phosphorus, in exchange for carbohydrates.
Hedgehog mushrooms are considered a choice edible mushroom and are highly regarded in the culinary world. They are easy to identify and forage, with no known poisonous lookalikes. Their caps can range in diameter from 4 cm to 20 cm, and they have a thick, white flesh that bruises yellow to orange-brown. The underside of the cap is covered in small, whitish spines, which can also be found running down the off-centre stipe.
Hedgehog mushrooms have a unique appearance, resembling baked bread buns in the woods. They are known for their eccentric shape and refusal to conform to mycological norms, making them stand out among other mushrooms. Foragers and chefs alike appreciate hedgehog mushrooms for their taste and texture, as well as their safety and ease of identification. They can be cooked in various ways, including pickling, simmering in milk or stock, and sautéing.
Hedgehog mushrooms are a delightful find for foragers and chefs, offering a sweet and nutty flavour with a unique texture. Their "teeth" or spines make them easily recognisable, contributing to their charming name, "sweet tooth".
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They are found in mixed forests or conifer-only forests
Hedgehog mushrooms are short and stout, growing close to the ground in association with trees. They are mycorrhizal, meaning they exist most of the time as a network of cells (mycelium) connected to tree roots, in a symbiotic relationship with the tree. The mycelium of hedgehog fungi helps its partner trees with the uptake of water and minerals (especially phosphorus) in exchange for carbohydrates in the form of simple sugars.
Most species of hedgehog mushrooms grow in mixed forests or conifer-only forests. They are found on the ground in these forests, often in scattered groups. They are slow-growing, slow-spore releasing, and strongly resistant to insects and slugs compared to many faster-growing mushrooms. They are also late-summer to fall fungi, depending on the location. In North America, for example, they appear on the east coast from June to November, while in the Pacific Northwest, some only start appearing in December.
Hedgehog mushrooms are often found in mixed hardwoods near lobster mushrooms and black trumpet mushrooms. They are also conifer associates, typically found with red oak in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The terracotta hedgehog (Hydnum rufescens) is another variety that is found in the UK and France. It is similar to the depressed hedgehog (Hydnum umbilicatum), which has a belly-button-shaped indentation on the top of its cap.
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They are short and stout, growing close to the ground in association with trees
Hedgehog mushrooms are short and stout, growing close to the ground in association with trees. They are often found in mixed forests or conifer-only forests. Their caps are dull orangish-tan in colour and irregularly shaped, with a smooth texture. The caps can be fully grown anywhere between 4 cm and 20 cm in diameter. The flesh is white, bruising ochre, and the underside of the cap is covered with spines or "teeth" that descend the stalk. These spines are small, slender, and whitish, measuring 2-7 mm in length. The stalk is straight, pale yellowish-white, and smooth, and is usually off-centre.
Hedgehog mushrooms are mycorrhizal, meaning they exist most of the time as a network of cells (mycelium) connected to tree roots, in a symbiotic relationship with the tree. They help their partner trees with the uptake of water and minerals, especially phosphorus, in exchange for carbohydrates in the form of simple sugars.
Hedgehog mushrooms are also known as "sweet tooth" due to their sweet, nutty flavour, and they retain their dense texture during cooking. They are considered a good edible mushroom, and there are no poisonous lookalikes. They can be cooked by pickling, simmering in milk or stock, or sautéing, which creates a tender, meaty texture and a mild flavour.
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Frequently asked questions
Hedgehog mushrooms are edible fungi with short, brittle spines or "teeth" on the underside of their caps. They are also known as "sweet tooth" because of their sweet, nutty flavour.
Hedgehog mushrooms have irregularly shaped, dull orangish-tan caps and white flesh that bruises yellow to orange-brown. They are often compared to chanterelles, but chanterelles do not have "teeth" on their undersides.
Hedgehog mushrooms are ground dwellers that grow in mixed or conifer-only forests. They are often found near trees, with which they have a symbiotic relationship.
Hedgehog mushrooms are typically found in the late summer to fall, depending on the location. In North America, they appear on the east coast from June to November and in the Pacific Northwest from December onwards.
Yes, hedgehog mushrooms are non-toxic and safe to eat. However, older specimens may be bitter and some people may be allergic to the chemicals in the fungi. It is recommended to sample only a small amount when eating a wild mushroom for the first time.
