Story
Hunting Chanterelles
Like so many times already this year, I gaze out the Larder window and see it raining. The ground is saturated and with warm temperatures on the way. I can’t stop thinking about how plentiful the Chanterelles might be this summer. Widely regarded as one of the choicest edible mushrooms, Chanterelles became popular in France in the 1700’s but have been recorded as being eaten during the 1500’s. For me, there aren’t many things better than an omelet with fresh chanterelles. The butter really showcases the fat- soluble flavor compounds of the mushrooms. So, unlike many, I welcome the rain. In the past few years we have had hot, dry springs here in the Smokies. You see, chanterelles need spring rains before summer fruitings to develop their underground network of mycelium around the roots of their host trees. When the conditions are right, abundant rain and warm temperatures, the mature fungus fruits above ground in the form of golden mushrooms. That being said, eating chanterelles is only half the fun. There is the thrill of heading into the woods on an early summer morning and finding these mushrooms in veiny clusters sprawling out underneath the trees. Chanterelle hunting can become addictive and fortunately they have a long growing season, typically from June through September. So with our surplus of rain and summer temperatures finally here, I am looking for any excuse I can find to get out there and feed my mushroom addiction.
Shannon Walker, Preservationist
Like so many times already this year, I gaze out the Larder window and see it raining. The ground is saturated and with warm temperatures on the way. I can’t stop thinking about how plentiful the Chanterelles might be this summer. Widely regarded as one of the choicest edible mushrooms, Chanterelles became popular in France in the 1700’s but have been recorded as being eaten during the 1500’s. For me, there aren’t many things better than an omelet with fresh chanterelles. The butter really showcases the fat- soluble flavor compounds of the mushrooms. So, unlike many, I welcome the rain. In the past few years we have had hot, dry springs here in the Smokies. You see, chanterelles need spring rains before summer fruitings to develop their underground network of mycelium around the roots of their host trees. When the conditions are right, abundant rain and warm temperatures, the mature fungus fruits above ground in the form of golden mushrooms. That being said, eating chanterelles is only half the fun. There is the thrill of heading into the woods on an early summer morning and finding these mushrooms in veiny clusters sprawling out underneath the trees. Chanterelle hunting can become addictive and fortunately they have a long growing season, typically from June through September. So with our surplus of rain and summer temperatures finally here, I am looking for any excuse I can find to get out there and feed my mushroom addiction.
Shannon Walker, Preservationist