There is definitely something about coming across a delicious wild mushroom in the forest that is so very satisfying ... I think it taps into some deep part of our shared hunter/gatherer experience. I have no doubt you'll find your patch! Keep searching, and stay curious -- they're out there!
I also found some nice yellow ramaria in the field today. I rather like it, for me it's most similar to lion's mane in texture and taste. Never my target species in the spring but a welcome guest in the basket.
Nice! It's an interesting Genus that offers such visual appeal that it always intrigues me. I'm interested to dive deeper on that entire group - so much more to learn about those guys!
I always love your videos . The format is fun and informative , i enjoy the genuine find and explore foray. I've been trying to do something similar out on the east coast and consider you as one of my influences.I would love to hear your story on one of the videos❤
I’m curious if you did indeed try the Spring Ramaria coral mushrooms? Also, when you find a mature more spongy porous edible bolete do you remove the yellow sponge or leave it on?
That is an excellent question! I tend to remove the spongy porous layer of more mature boletes ... whereas I will leave it on the younger ones when it has a firmer texture (in the case of these Spring Kings, I left it on for the younger ones with the tight, white sponge). And, in regards to the Spring Ramaria, I was so busy prepping my Spring Kings that I, sadly, forgot about it and left it in the depths of the crisper drawer ... by the time I gave it a thought it was past its prime so I returned it to the forest! Next time!
Thanks! Really glad you enjoyed it! I prepared my Spring Kings in a variety of ways - I cut some into thick pieces and sautéed them in butter with a simple preparation to retain that nutty flavor (it was delicious - came out a lot like a strip of chicken or other meat substitute). I also sautéed some into thinner strips and added to a Shiitake ramen. Additional ones, sliced thin, went into a thick noodle dish (I believe they're referred to as pasta nests) with garlic, basil, salt, pepper, and some into a classic omelette. What I couldn't eat I kicked into the dehydrator to add to sauces and future dishes. Next time I'm eager to grill some - that shot at the close of the video was a photo that my friend who was with me on the forage sent over that night - he threw them straight onto the grill with great results 👍
What perfect timing for this video! I’m driving on Highway 12 now to look in the mountains east of White pass. can you tell me what date you were finding those at 3300 foot elevation ballpark? I’m wondering what elevation I should focus on starting in. I’m guessing 3k-4k. Thanks much.
Nice - perfect timing! This footage was shot one week ago, and it felt like they were just beginning to hit at 3300' ... I was hoping to get back out this weekend, but wasn't able to. I'm guessing that with all that rain followed by this heat we're getting now, it's probably perfect around 4000' right now. Good luck out there! And, if you get a chance, loop back and let me know what you found!
Thanks! Appreciate you tuning in - and super curious to know what your favorite Bolete is out there on the east coast? So many great Boletes - definitely one of my favorite groups!
Hey, two Spring Kings is a LOT better than zero! Seems like the Spring King is funny like that... sometimes he can be a little shy. But I bet with the recent weather up here in the PNW they're creeping higher and higher in elevation. Curious to know where you're located? Are you here in WA?
GM my Mushroom Brother , another great video. Schedule has been busy so only getting out later this week to a few high elevation areas over the pass and east of the cascades. Been hearing and seeing others finding some at different higher elevations . Beautiful first 3 mushroom cluster you found. Great sign. Always enjoy the videos. How would I go about directly contacting you through here? Wanted to talk fungi . LMK Brother , thanks again 👊🍄
Nice! Best of luck out there - I bet there are some Spring Kings with your name on them, just waiting to jump into your basket! You can reach me by email at: onthemushroomtrail@gmail.com
@@MushroomTrail Nice !! Thank you. Yes heading out tomorrow over Stevens Pass. I have some areas I haven't foraged in a while and the areas are conducive for what were looking for. Thanks I will contact you and I will let you know Brother. Best of luck to you as well .Thanks again👊🍄
Just so enjoying your channel, your approach, your calm quiet walk through the woods, the music. Thank you! I’ve never eaten these and probably won’t get a chance to look for them this year, but it’s great to learn about another delicious edible mushroom! 🍄🟫Don’t change anything about your channel. It’s one of the best ones out there, in my humble opinion.
Thanks so much! I really appreciate you tuning in and can't wait to get the next video out your way! Truly a joy creating this content and sharing my love of mushrooms and the natural world. Happy Trails! 🍄
This is a very good explanation and display of the Spring King. I have a lot of Boletes here, I'll have to see if I have any Kings, unfortunately most are blue staining.
Thanks! And, yeah, unfortunately, I believe that the Spring King sticks to a fairly small range here on the west coast ... but definitely some great Boletes out your way too! And, surprisingly enough, there are even some blue staining boletes that people collect as solid edibles (although, there are also some blue stainers that give people trouble... so proper ID is crucial!)
@@MushroomTrail I've seen that about some of the blue staining boletes but haven't pinned down which are what. They look so similar, I sometimes do the "nibble/spit" test and occasionally find one that's mild but, I need more info. I personally won't even test amanitas cause I don't know enough and the risk is too great. My tried and true's are; Chanterelle, Morels, Shitaki, Mitaki, chicken of the woods, honey mushrooms, meadow mushrooms, giant puffballs, cauliflower mushroom, old man of the woods, indigo milkcap and green rusella. I need to do better about memorizing their scientific names but my 67 yr old brain is a bit spent😊. Thanks for all your awesome videos.
It WAS a beautiful day out there... stunning backdrop for stunning fungi. Still counting down the rains at the end the week; we live in a dry pocket basically opposite the Isle of Wight, and rains predicted constantly miss us, or aren't as heavy. Anywho, that spring field cap looks a bit like the spring cavalier over here, Melanoleuca cognata. The caps crack the same, but no ring. I get loads in the back garden, but reportedly not worth eating, and easy to misidentify...
A little rain definitely does wonders! We ended up passing on the Spring Fieldcap that day ... I know it's edible but I also don't know of anyone that really likes it. People say it tastes like grass clippings or worse. I think if we got skunked out there we'd consider bringing it back just for the sake of trying it, but tough to rationalize with a basket full of Spring Kings 🤔 I know we have some Melanoleucas out here but I don't recognize that species. Those ones that are easy to misidentify are probably best left alone!
@@MushroomTrail I think you guys made a better life choice bringing back those Spring Kings! 😂 Oddly enough, I just went out to feed the birds and it was pouring with rain??! Perhaps I'll be going crazy over loads of Summer Ceps (Boletus reticulatus) in a matter of days if I'm lucky! ... that Wolf Lichen is a crazy beautiful colour, would love to photograph that in macro.
Haha! I agree! And awesome to think of filling a basket with Summer Ceps! We don't get those out here across the pond, but they sure do look beautiful ... and they are certainly reminiscent of our closely related Kings.
Nice! Those are very similar mushrooms, but slightly different species. The caps look quite similar but the pore surface on the young ones is white on B. rex-veris and I believe the reticulation is a little different.
I agree, timing is an important piece of the mushroom game! This recent rain should bring good things in the days ahead. I bet you'll have good luck out there today!
