Wild Edible Mushrooms With Unique Appearances
The aesthetics of a meal can actually have a lot to do with how much a person enjoys it. Wild edible mushrooms are extremely tasty and can add some great textures to a meal. However, there are a few types of wild edible mushrooms in Northern California that really stand out in terms of appearance. These mushrooms can look great on a dinner table and will probably have your guests asking all kinds of questions!
Lion’s Mane Mushrooms
Once you’ve seen a picture of a Lion’s Mane mushroom, you’ll instantly be able to recognize them in the wild. Their appearance can be compared to a white beard or a cluster of icicles. Unlike most other mushrooms, they do not have an apparent stem or cap. Instead, there are white spikes that grow downwards.
When it comes to adding something to your dinner table, Lion’s Mane mushrooms possess both a great look and an excellent flavor. Many people describe their texture and flavor as similar to crab or lobster. While Lion’s Mane is often used in powdered form or as an extract, frying them up in a pan is a great way to enjoy them. Their unique look makes them a fun thing to have on the dinner table.
Apricot Jelly Mushrooms
Although they do not possess a distinct flavor, Apricot Jelly mushrooms can be a beautiful addition to a meal. They are orange to salmon-pink in color and look almost like flower petals. Their texture is commonly described as gelatinous or rubbery.
Apricot Jelly mushrooms have a very mild but sweet taste. You’ll find these mushrooms growing on the edges of conifer forests. The can grow alone or in a group and have white spore prints. If you are looking to brighten up a food dish, give the beautiful and unique-looking Apricot Jelly mushrooms a try!
Sculpted Puffball Mushrooms
Sculpted Puffballs have pyramid-shaped warts that make their exteriors look quite peculiar. This species of fungi is only good for eating when you catch them young. As they mature, the flesh of Sculpted Puffballs becomes darker and powdery. If you intend on eating them, find ones that have firm and white flesh.
The flesh of Sculpted Puffballs do not possess a strong odor or taste. However, they are considered by some to be a choice edible mushroom. These mushrooms can be sautéed or placed in batter and fried. They usually grow alone or in small groups in coniferous forests.
Hiking around Northern California is a great way to spend the weekends. While you’re already out there, why not make it a goal to find some wild edible mushrooms? There are plenty of these to go around in this part of the country. Mushrooms are nutritious and taste amazing. Plus, some of them can really add to the aesthetics of a meal with their unique appearances.
Want to find your own? We have mushroom foraging classes all season in Marin, Sonoma, and the Santa Cruz Mountains.