You will not see morel mushrooms galore in grocery stores, as is the case with champignons, but you will most likely find them at the local farmers' market. Morel mushrooms grow in forests from late March to early July. Morels are a delicacy. Even if you have never tried these mushrooms, read some interesting facts about morels that every true mushroom lover should know.
Morels are “elusive” and very expensive
Morels are one of the most expensive mushrooms in the world, both fresh and dried. A pound of morels can easily cost more than $ 100, especially dried (although you can find fresh morels at a lower price in season). However, since morels are light, you get a decent amount of mushrooms for your money. Rarity makes morels so expensive. Unlike ordinary mushroom varieties, morel mushrooms are not grown. Instead, they are harvested in the wild by mushroom pickers. In recent years, several methods for growing morels have been developed, but the quality and taste are questionable by many people.
Morels are Rich in Vitamin D
These mushrooms are quite nutritious. Only one morel cap contains almost half the recommended daily intake of iron and about a third of the daily dose of vitamin D. Like most mushrooms, morels are also low in calories - one mushroom contains about 20 calories.
Even if you are not a fan of mushrooms, you will like morels. While some people refuse the more common mushrooms because they find the texture of the mucosa, morel mushrooms are tender and fleshy, with a nutty earthy taste.
Morels often grow after forest fires
If you decide to go hunting for morels, you should start the search from those areas where there were forest fires. It is not known exactly why all types of morels tend to grow in abundance in places of forest fires. One theory is that since forest fires lead to the death of trees and the destruction of other plants on forest soil, this creates excellent conditions for the growth of morels.
False morels are poisonous
Before you go looking for morels on your own, you need to make sure that you know exactly what you are looking for. Morels have a characteristic, spongy-looking hat, but there are several imitative mushrooms that look strikingly similar. Usually called false morels, some of these similar fungi can be poisonous. You should never eat mushrooms that you cannot identify with absolute certainty. And beginners should go to the forest with experienced mushroom pickers who can confirm that the mushroom is real.
If you have tried all common varieties of mushrooms, it is time to try morels. This elusive mushroom can instantly change the taste of any meal, so try including it on your next special occasion's menu. They are more expensive than champignons, but they are worth it!
