Laura Smith
Mushrooms are an integral part of healthy eating and are widely used in cooking. Foraging for mushrooms is a year-round activity, with different species thriving in different seasons. The season for specific mushrooms depends on the weather, region, and variety. Spring and summer mushrooms include porcini, chanterelles, morels, and fairy rings. Autumn brings mushrooms like the black trumpet, blewits, and chanterelles, while winter offers the lion's mane and winter oyster mushrooms. Rain also plays a crucial role in mushroom growth, with autumn rains triggering an abundance of mushrooms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mushrooms that can be harvested all year round | Shiitake, Oyster |
| Spring mushrooms | Morels, Enoki, Wood Ear, Chanterelles, Porcini, Slippery Jack, Fairy Ring |
| Summer mushrooms | Chanterelles, Porcini, Slippery Jack, Fairy Ring |
| Autumn mushrooms | Widespread in coniferous woods after rain |
| Winter mushrooms | Lion's Mane, Winter Oyster |
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What You'll Learn
- Spring mushrooms: morels, oyster, enoki, wood ear, and lion's mane
- Summer mushrooms: porcini, chanterelles, fairy ring, and slippery jack
- Autumn mushrooms: porcini, yellow chanterelle, black trumpet, and blewits
- Winter mushrooms: lion's mane, winter oyster, and wood blewits
- Year-round mushrooms: shiitake, oyster, black truffle, and yellowfoot
Spring mushrooms: morels, oyster, enoki, wood ear, and lion's mane
Spring is a great time for foraging wild mushrooms. Here are some of the most common spring mushrooms:
Morels
Morels are one of the most iconic and distinctive mushrooms. They are highly prized and have a distinctive, pointed cap with a wrinkly, waffle-like texture. They are usually hollow and are one of the first mushrooms to appear in spring. They are often found growing on elm trees, and they can be cultivated, although this is difficult. Morels are poisonous if not thoroughly cooked.
Oyster Mushrooms
Oyster mushrooms are another classic spring mushroom. They are easily recognisable by their grey, brown, or purple-grey caps and sweet aroma with a hint of aniseed. They grow exclusively on aspen trees and can be found throughout the growing season, although the best ones are the early ones. Oyster mushrooms are delicious when young and bug-free.
Enoki
Enoki mushrooms are the same as the ones found in Asian grocery stores. They are one of the first mushrooms to appear in spring, even before morels. Wild enoki can be found growing on elm trees, and there is a larger variety that grows on aspen trees. They are both edible and medicinal and can be eaten raw or cooked.
Wood Ear
Wood ear mushrooms are cold-adapted and can be found growing on sticks and downed logs in the spring, summer, and fall after heavy rains. They are edible and add a nice texture to soups or ramen. They are easy to identify but trickier to cook and eat.
Lion's Mane
Lion's mane mushrooms, also known as hedgehog mushrooms or bearded tooth mushrooms, are common in the southeast. They have long, dramatic white fronds that hang down from the mushroom's body. They can be found in the winter, but their growth slows as temperatures drop below freezing.
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Summer mushrooms: porcini, chanterelles, fairy ring, and slippery jack
While mushroom seasons depend on various factors such as location, weather, and the species of mushroom, there are some types of mushrooms that are typically in season during the summer. Here is some information on four of them: porcini, chanterelles, fairy ring, and slippery jack.
Porcini Mushrooms
Porcini mushrooms (also known as ceps) are considered a delicacy in many parts of the world. They have a nutty, earthy, and slightly meaty flavor, making them highly sought after in the culinary world. Porcini mushrooms typically grow in summer and autumn, preferably in mature forests with well-established ecosystems. They can be identified by their large, brown caps and thick stems.
Chanterelle Mushrooms
Chanterelle mushrooms are another highly prized summer variety. They have a distinct golden color and a fruity, woody, or earthy aroma. Chanterelles are known for their peppery taste and are often used in sauces or as a gourmet ingredient. They are typically found in coniferous forests or beech forests, especially in clumps of moss. Chanterelles can be harvested from late summer through to December.
Fairy Ring Mushrooms
Fairy ring mushrooms get their name from their unique growth pattern, often forming arcs or rings in lawns and grassy areas. They are widely distributed throughout North America and are typically harvested during the summer and autumn. Fairy ring mushrooms have long stems and tan or white caps, with well-spaced gills underneath. They are a common sight in Disney movies, adding to their whimsical appeal.
Slippery Jack Mushrooms
While slippery jack mushrooms (also known as Suillus luteus) are not as well-known as the previous varieties, they are still considered a summer mushroom. Slippery jacks have a distinctive appearance, with a slimy orange cap and a yellow pore surface. They are often found in coniferous forests and are known for their slippery or sticky texture, which is where they get their name. Slippery jacks are considered choice edibles and can be used in various dishes.
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Autumn mushrooms: porcini, yellow chanterelle, black trumpet, and blewits
While mushrooms can be foraged all year round, there are certain times of the year when specific mushrooms are more prevalent, and these periods are called seasons. In autumn, you can find mushrooms in coniferous woods after rainfall.
Porcini
Porcini mushrooms are thick, firm, white, and pleasantly fragrant. They can be found in the spring and summer, as well as in October. They are also available as truffle products.
Yellow Chanterelle
Yellow chanterelles are yellow to orange in colour, with a round, slightly curved corolla. Their flesh is creamy white to pale yellow, firm, and slightly fibrous. They can be found in spring and summer, as well as October.
Black Trumpet
Black trumpets are one of the most difficult mushrooms to find. They can be found in January, April, July, October, and November.
Blewits
Blewits are edible wild mushrooms that grow in the autumn. They are also known as wood blewits and can be found in the forest floor as temperatures cool down.
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Winter mushrooms: lion's mane, winter oyster, and wood blewits
While mushrooms typically come into season during the fall, there are a few varieties that are in season during the winter. Here is some information about three edible varieties of mushrooms that are in season during the winter: lion's mane, winter oyster, and wood blewits.
Lion's mane mushrooms are known for their unique appearance, with a shaggy, white appearance that resembles a lion's mane, as their name suggests. They are considered a delicacy and are highly sought-after for their culinary and medicinal properties. Lion's mane mushrooms can often be found growing on hardwood trees, particularly beech, oak, and walnut trees, during the colder months.
Winter oyster mushrooms are a variety of oyster mushrooms that fruit year-round but are particularly prized during the winter months. They have a firm, meaty texture and are known for their dense, pliable caps. Winter oysters are often found on dead logs or living trees, and their gills have a distinctive tan colour. They are a delicious addition to winter meals, commonly used in recipes such as sautéing with butter and field garlic or baking in pastry rolls.
Wood blewits are late-season mushrooms, ideal for foraging during the autumn-winter transition. They have a vivid lilac colour on their gills, caps, and stems when young, but this colour fades with time. Wood blewits have a strong, citrus scent and a meaty texture, making them perfect for mushroom pâté, risottos, and pasta dishes. However, it is recommended to dry fry them first to evaporate their abundant moisture before adding butter or oil to the pan.
In addition to these three varieties, other mushrooms that may be in season during the winter include black trumpets, candy caps, chanterelles, hedgehogs, and yellowfoot mushrooms.
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Year-round mushrooms: shiitake, oyster, black truffle, and yellowfoot
While mushroom seasons vary according to location, weather, and type of tree, some mushrooms can be found year-round. These include shiitake, oyster, black truffle, and yellowfoot mushrooms.
Shiitake mushrooms are cultivated and can be harvested all year. They are versatile in cooking and are a good source of vitamins and minerals.
Oyster mushrooms, also cultivated, are available throughout the year. The name comes from their resemblance to oysters and they are valued for their taste and health benefits.
Black truffles are another type of mushroom that can be found year-round. They are highly prized for their distinctive flavour and aroma, which can enhance a variety of dishes. Black truffles grow underground near the roots of trees, typically oak, hazel, or beech.
Yellowfoot mushrooms, as the name suggests, are identified by their bright yellow stems. They are also known as chanterelles and are considered a delicacy, often used in gourmet cooking. Yellowfoot mushrooms grow in clusters and can be found in forests, particularly near birch and pine trees.
While these mushrooms can be found throughout the year, their availability may still be influenced by seasonal changes and local conditions. It is always important to correctly identify mushrooms before consuming them, as some varieties may be toxic.
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Frequently asked questions
In spring, you can find morels, enoki, wood ear, oyster, and gyromitra mushrooms.
Chanterelles, porcini, and fairy ring mushrooms are in season in summer.
Mushrooms like chanterelles, porcini, black trumpets, and yellowfoot are in season in autumn.
You can find lion's mane and winter oyster mushrooms in the winter.
