Mushroom Knowledge Base

After steaming, spawn(mushroom seeds) are then put into the gardens to enable them grow.

What Are Morel Mushrooms?
Morels are a distinct looking mushroom with a cone-shaped cap and sponge-like texture. They typically grow between two and four inches tall. The caps stand erect and range in color from pale cream to almost black with a well-defined pitted texture. Morels are hollow and have a white- to pale cream-colored stem. They need to be cleaned, but otherwise, require very little preparation before cooking and are best when simply grilled or sautéed.

These mushrooms are found most often in and around wooded areas throughout North America (particularly east of the plains up to the Great Lakes) and Europe. They most often grow around ash, aspen, elm, oak, and tulip trees; standing dead trees are good places to look as well. Morel mushrooms are extremely difficult to farm, though research into cultivating them has taken place at Michigan State University. There are also attempts in China to farm morels. However, there is a debate as to whether these cultivated morels have the same quality and taste as those growing in the wild. Because wild mushrooms are seasonal, foraged, fragile, and highly perishable, they can be pricey.

Like all mushrooms, morels have deadly imitators. In this case, they are known as false morels, which include a number of species that look similar but are poisonous. Unlike the edible mushroom, these fake morels have a reddish-brown to yellow cap that often hangs to one side, looking limp and disfigured. You'll also notice a brain-like texture rather than a well-defined pitting. False morels are not hollow inside.

If you decide to try foraging for mushrooms, do so with an experienced guide. Mycological societies around the country offer free mushroom walks and mushroom identification seminars to help new wild mushroom enthusiasts get started.
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