bondarzewia berkeleyi recipe bondarzewia berkeleyi recipe

They can be found in small to very large flushes in the peak of their season and are always exciting to find. It was moved to the genus Bondarzewia in 1941. For example, much of the time, tree wound parasites have long-lasting perennial fruiting bodies that produce several billion spores over the course of its lifetime. I suspect, as w/related mushrooms (please see Russula comparison page for more info. They dont call it Winter Oyster for nothing. However, some peoples tastes are sure to disagree and what you see here would be a soup (with other seasonings added to it, such as soy, pepper, wine, or cream). Berkeley's Polypore Bondarzewia Berkeleyi. This article aims to capture the most common and highly sought-after wild edible mushrooms, organized by the season you can find them! If so, how much can be added w/o gastric upset? The company is called Noomadic Herbals, my favorite supplement they make is called "Mushroom Total". A widespread fungus, it is found in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America. I highly recommend the field guide Boletes of Eastern North America to get started. At times, the fruiting bodies can be several feet in width, making them highly conspicuous when they appear. Gilbertson RL, Ryvarden L. North American polypores 1. Fungi with narrow ecological niches tend to have larger spore producing structures. This week's mushroom is Bondarzewia berkeleyi, commonly known as Berkeley's polypore. Bondarzewia berkeleyi, commonly known as Berkeley's polypore, or stump blossoms, is a species of polypore fungus in the family Russulaceae. Featuring Meripilus sumstinei and Bondarzewia berkeleyi. The outer edges that cut easily with a knife are quite tender. Kuo, M. (2022, October). The resemblance is only slight and should not confuse an experienced forager, except that evidently experienced foragers are sometimes confused. J. A widespread fungus, it is found in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America. Retrieved from the MushroomExpert.Com Web site:http://www.mushroomexpert.com/bondarzewia_berkeleyi.html2)https://www.messiah.edu/Oakes/fungi_on_wood/poroid%20fungi/species%20pages/Bondarzewia%20berkeleyi.htm3)Mccoy, Peter. Hyphal structure dimitic. Spore Print: White. This gilled saprobic fungi can be found in small to large clusters bursting out of the wood of dead or dying trees. A mushroom powder can be made of the flesh as well, especially with a grinder or good blender. Two species, B. berkeleyi and B. mesenterica, are commonly reported in North America and Europe but the genus is poorly known elsewhere. A chef tasted a bit of this powder with me and concurred it is quite impressive. D.Slow-Cooked: I found slow-cooking did not make it softer. They are various shades of white to pale grey, cream, beige or yellow. Natural selection has favored individuals that can quickly colonize hardwood root substrates and rapidly break down lignin into more simple sugars. That is, until I took a spoon of these and poured some white balsamic vinegar on them. The flavor profile is much different, but I can see how he could have done this well. So, a crispy good experience. I happened to find this particular specimen at the base of a large, dead oak, a position in which I could fathom its evolved ecology. Murrill Polyporus berkeleyi Fr. . So, the best potential for keeping the heat in a powder is to dehydrate right away. They are both great places to post your ID requests! 2016 Sep 29;6:34568. These Berkeleys Polypores can grow to a massive size. [12][13] Inga underarter finns listade i Catalogue of Life. Picked up a small growth of hen of the woods on the same stump. E.Pressure Cooker: I have not tried this, but expect similar results to the slow cooker. They look almost the same. With its chemical competence, Bondarzewia berkeleyi doesn't just stop at being a parasite. North American Mycological Association. In both cases, the species can be differentiated by an experienced forager fairly easily, but only if the forager knows to look out for potential confusion. Mature, the edges can be quite meaty. Become A Member! These mushroom chips are sure to surprise almost anyone when theyre told that theyre actually eating a mushroom! Between July and October, it grows on the ground near tree bases. Birch Polypore, Piptoporus Betulinus. The unique flavor was perfectly paired with the sauces other ingredients, and the pureed texture worked well with the lamb. Languages. Here's a photo in my house of what it looks like after going through a meat grinder (once with the larger setting, then once through the smaller, so we get a more fine grind). When young, the cultivated Bondarzewia mesenterica has a delicate pore layer and when sauted in olive oil with onions, garlic and thyme, it is robust and succulent; in my opinion, B. mesenterica may even be the culinary equal of maitake. Grill the mushrooms over medium-hot coals. A widespread fungus, it is found in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America. V. Preparation of [Primarily Mature] Specimens, Berkeley's Polypore / Berkeley's Russulales (Bondarzewia berkeleyi), Reminder That it's a Short Week This Week. Delicious, and perhaps one of the best mushroom dishes I've tried. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "dmgbiz-20"; A butt rot is the fungus consuming the heartwood (the dead, central wood) in the trunk of the tree where it touches the soil. How about adding it to a salad (arugula-like spice w/o needing any plant additives)? Chanterelles are potentially the most abundant mushroom in the Southern Appalachia area. Just better. basionym: Polyporus berkeleyi Fr., 1851. Bondarzewia berkeleyi, commonly known as Berkeley's polypore, or stump blossoms, is a species of polypore fungus in the family Russulaceae. Tweet; Description: Large, cream-colored, fleshy mushroom with a pored underside. MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential. First off, there is the shock factor in its large size. An incredibly striking and fairly common wild mushroom throughout the Southeast, Lions mane. G. Blender: If using moderately to highly tough pieces, try pureeing it after chopping or grinding it. Bondarzewia berkeleyi is a polypore in shapeit has shelf-like fruiting bodies with spores produced inside a layer of tubes ending in poresbut it is not closely related to other polypores. Then I sauteed them in olive oil until crispy. . This flavorful liquid can then be used in a variety of dishes (I'm thinking those that do well to also have acidic &/sweet sauces). In the Southeast it is possible to find them, but in much smaller numbers than those of areas further North. Mushroom Steaks: Marinate tender sections overnight in a sweet & acidic sauce, then BBQ grill until crispy on the outsides. No photos are currently available. You can find this species at the base of a handful of hardwoods, but it has a strong preference for oaks. royalty-free Bondarzewia berkeleyi - 537381434 Depositphotos , , Bond. The vinegar negated the remaining bitterness, while the crispy quality remained. A mushroom powder can be made of the flesh as well, especially with a grinder or good blender. B. I believe I have discovered a direct correlation between how spicy hot they are raw and how bitter they will cook up. How about adding it to a salad (arugula-like spice w/o needing any plant additives)? amzn_assoc_title = "Top Selling Mushroom Supplements"; Several kidney-shaped or irregular caps emerge from a single stem and form a rosette that may be over two feet across when mature. English Articles. The flavor and texture work very well w/chicken in this way, as several of us tasters agreed. [4][9] The fruit bodies appear over July to October in the United States. *Edibility raw has not been widely established, and it the conjecture of this website's author: It would likely cause GI upset in all but relatively small quantities due to the same chemical found in it as in its hot Russula relatives, such as R. emetica, but it in smaller quantities. The pore surface is white, as is thespore print. However, Russula emetica is said to be used sparingly as a raw powder as a spicy condiment, but Ive not seen anything definitive on how they can be best dried while still retaining their heat. Edibility Basics Photo by Tim Pfitzer Bondarzewia berkeleyi- Berkeley's polypore This polypore may take on ocher or light brown tones that form distinct radial zones. What are you reaching out to us about today? The tough white flesh can be up to 3cm (1.2in) thick and has a mild taste, which can be bitter in older specimens. Knowing the remaining pores would still be tender, I cut some of them off and boiled them for 15 minutes. Stem: 3-6 cm long; 1-3 cm thick; tapering to the base; bald; colored like the cap, or paler; bruising slowly yellowish to orangish brown; basal mycelium white. Marasmioid rhizomorphs enhance bird fitness, Fungi Friday; the horn stalkball (Onygena equina) . I've also found with a hot Russula and a hot Lactarius, that keeping them refrigerated for days does appear to dissipate their heat. II. In comparison, the hen of the woods has many smaller, grayish brownish caps. [10], "Wood-inhabiting fungi in southern China 1. About This Subject; View Images Details; View Images; Invasive Listing Sources. It has been reported sparingly from other hardwood hosts, such as chestnut and maple. [3] A widespread fungus, it is found in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America. The majority of spores are dispersed locally and the risk of overland spread to other nearby oaks is likely low. Fungiflora, Oslo 1986. I suspect braising for much less time followed by a puree would work just as well. It can also reportedly be used as a meat substitute. Bondarzewia berkeleyi. The one pictured above is H. erinaceous. Bondarzewia berkeleyi, commonly known as Berkeley's polypore, [1] or stump blossoms, [2] is a species of polypore fungus in the family Russulaceae. specimen at the River Tavern in Chester, CT. There are too many species within the Boletaceae family to name them all. The spectacular polypore Bondarzewia berkeleyi (Fries) Bondartsev and Singer is an example of a double eponym, in which both the generic name and the specific epithet are derived from names of people. Bondarzewia berkeleyi. Saute: All I have left from my original ~20lb find thats not dried is a very tough mostly core section. Found in eastern North America, west to Texas and Louisiana. The textural experience is comparable to chicken of the woods mushrooms, in that both become very tough in age, but chicken of the woods becomes not quite as tough, and is much drier. Id expect this liquid to be very strongly flavored, thus best used in moderation amongst many servings. A widespread fungus, it is found in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America. Off the bat it is one of the largestmushroomsin the world, and certainly the largest we have featured onMushroomMonday. AlthoughBondarzewia berkeleyihas been compared to eating shoe leather, it is edible, and can be used to replace or strengthen other flavors in dishes, much like tofu. Bondarzewia berkeleyi. Heres a picture of the puree I did using my Vitamix blender. A truly massive polypore. amzn_assoc_title = "Top Selling Mushroom Supplements"; I believe Mushrooms are the best kept secret when it comes to health and well being. Because the decay is mostly restricted to the heartwood, excessive tapering at the base may be the only external symptom present. One thing I like to reiterate when we talk about parasitic/pathogenic fungi is that they arent bad, in fact theyre essential for nutrient cycling and the overall health of our park and planet. [LINK]. However, Russula emetica is said to be used sparingly as a raw powder as a spicy condiment, but I've not seen anything definitive on how they can be best dried while still retaining their heat. I added some of this to a vindaloo sauce. Whats in a Name? [4], Elias Magnus Fries described the species as Polyporus berkeleyi in 1851. Delicious, and perhaps one of the best mushroom dishes Ive tried. Deposit ochraceous. I dont know if he ate it raw* or not. This mushroom was pointed out to me by Walkingstick Joe on 8/31/2021 growing at the base of an oak (Quercus) by Triplets bridge. Tips on harvesting: Cut the central stalk about to inch above the ground. Pan-fry: Hen of the woods mushrooms are ideal for shallow pan-frying because of the flat shape of their caps. This is a good one to find during the cold months where forest floor mushrooms are now almost entirely dormant. It should not be assumed that a dangerous mistake is impossible, however. Berkeley's polypore grows on oaks and other hardwood trees.The fan shaped caps grow in overlapping clumps from the bases of oak trees, each capable of growing to 10 in. "Berkeley's polypore" is frequently encountered, and its large size makes it a memorable find , though perhaps a disappointing one for pot hunters, who may mistake it for the hen-of-the . Bondarzewia Berkeleyi - Bondarzewia berkeleyi is commonly referred to as berkeley's polypore or the stump blossoms. B. berkeleyi has been historically classified as a polypore, but with the advent of molecular techniques, it was revealed to be more closely related to Russala than the polypores. ; 2004. Stem: 4-10 cm long; 3-5 cm wide; usually somewhat off-center and poorly defined; whitish to dull yellowish; dry; tough. I seemed to have noticed some of the spicy hot flavor remained in the dried. Flam-U-line-uh vel-oo-tuh-pees, its too much fun to say! Song J, Chen JJ, Wang M, Chen YY, Cui BK. Give them a try. While B. berkeleyi[v] has not been formally assessed, it seems prudent not to eat it raw. I wonder if the speed of drying, as well as how much heat was involved w/drying, will affect its final flavor. It is considered edible (Boa and Boa 2004). Bondarzewia berkeleyi. When it comes to museums, size matters. The round spores are 79 by 68 m and have marked amyloid ridges. Figure 1. Nothing can be done to eradicate the pathogen and fungicides are of little, if any, value. It can also reportedly be used as a meat substitute. I have fond memories of this cool fungus that started back when the foundation for my mycological obsession was being set. H.Sauteed: Tender pieces can be sauteed without concern for them to get too soft. The smaller area of suitable habitat, the more spores that need to be produced for genes to successfully pass onto the next generation. This paste can be use to coat salted chicken breast, baked in foil, then the foil removed at high heat to brown. More bitter pieces could be treated like bitter melon in a saute (sweet sauce, acidic, or for those who are into bitter, use some soy sauce and skip the sweet and/or acidic). Taste: They range from fairly mild, useful for soaking up any flavor around them, to very strongly flavored (best used as a seasoning, not a main course). All are welcome! Elias Magnus Friesdescribed the species asPolyporus berkeleyiin 1851. 2) Laetiporus Cincinnatus. Bondarzewia berkeleyi Fr. It seems the spicy hot quality shifts to a bitter quality when cooked. Every page goes through several hundred of perfecting techniques; in live mode. Fortunately, both are edible. The mushrooms can appear anytime from July onward but tend to be most abundant in August. A young fruiting body of a soon to be giant. This fungi can be found growing at the base of large old trees thus it is sometimes common in historic districts with large old oak trees. A. A. I remember struggling to read its scientific name,Bondarzewia berkeleyi. Found by Crystal on mushroom observer. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; F.Meat Grinder: If getting mildly to moderately tough pieces, put through a meat grinder to end up with a nice product that can then be used in part to make meat-loaf. But me, no way! This fungus is a tree pathogen and likes to eat tree roots and wood at the I dont think we compared the pore taste vs. the flesh taste. I hope youre keeping the labor to a minimum and the relaxation to a maximum. So, the best potential for keeping the heat in a powder is to dehydrate right away. That is, until I took a spoon of these and poured some white balsamic vinegar on them. A widespread fungus, it is found in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America. The fungus can be pathogenic on trees, especially Quercus and Acer (Gilbertson and Ryvarden 1986). It reminded me of my favorite soup, west lake minced beef soup with black vinegar. South of Birmingham, AL picking will be very slim. dimidiata Corner Bondarzewia berkeleyi var. Rogers Plants Ltd reserves the right This is near the time when I was just really getting into mycology, so you can imagine how excited I was. - 7.14. Some other polypores, especially the black-staining polypore (Meripilus sumstinei), and the cauliflower mushroom (Sparassis spathulata), also are sometimes confused with B. berkeleyi[iv]. This site contains no information about the edibility or toxicity of mushrooms. Kuo 08040305, 06220801, 06221014, 08311302, 07281601, 09292201. amzn_assoc_linkid = "175fb54f78591e25daf3429f298260c1"; Polyporus berkeleyi Fr.Berkeley's Polypore Fruit body annual. In fact, it is genetically most similar to russellas and lactarias. I do know that w/related mushrooms that are known to be intensely hot (the habanero of the mushroom world, being Russula emetica, other hot Russulas, & several intensely hot Lactarius sp. Beginner and veteran foragers alike may be curious about what the Southeast United States has to offer for its wild edible mushroom seasons throughout the year. Once hyphae penetrate to its hosts roots, it secretes enzymes that start breaking down the inner heartwood. Extract from Wikipedia article: Bondarzewia berkeleyi, commonly known as Berkeley's polypore, or stump blossoms, is a species of polypore fungus in the family Russulaceae. Bondarzewia. It made an interesting drink. The pore surface is white, as is the spore print. & Broome (1875). 2016). Always exercise caution and get a positive ID. All are welcome! The flavor and texture work very well w/chicken in this way, as several of us tasters agreed. The berries grow in red clusters. Pore Surface: Running down the stem; whitish; not bruising, or bruising very faintly yellowish to brownish; pores circular when young, 12 per mmbecoming angular and wider with age; tubes shallow, often much less than 1 cm deep. We comply with the Federal Trade Commission 1998 Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). When this trees day eventually comes; its wood will feed trillions of organisms, the canopy opening will give an opportunity to the millions of seeds in the soil that are waiting for the sunlight they need to germinate, and the growth of those plants will subsequently attract new microbes and fungi in the soil. The latter including an interesting bitterness that comes through only when cooked. The species is at its most edible when the caps are newly expanded; with age, the fruiting body becomes increasingly tough and unpalatable. Feral Foraging 2023 All rights Reserved. A chef tasted a bit of this powder with me and concurred it is quite impressive. et Singer syn. The largest one I've seen was a 40lb. Polypores from Hunan Province", "Biogeography and hosts of period wood decay fungi in North Carolina: Species of, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bondarzewia_berkeleyi&oldid=1099084879, This page was last edited on 18 July 2022, at 23:02. We talked about adding it to recipes, honey (think of truffle infused honey, he described), and I thought of adding it to bread flour and even pasta dough. It also frequently occurs as a saprophyte on dead trees in forests or stumps left remaining in managed areas. Mushroom Steaks: Marinatetendersections overnight in a sweet & acidic sauce, then BBQ grill until crispy on the outsides. . The pores can be large, especially near the base. The result was good! Yet the older they get, the tougher they become (with the more inner sections as toughest). Lastly, the genus Bondarzewia is named after Russian mycologist A.S. Bondarzew and the species berkeleyi is named after the founder of British mycology, Miles Joseph Berkeley. USA & International; It was okay. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Hibbett DS, Donoghue MJ. The fan- or shelf-shaped caps grow in overlapping clumps from the bases of oak trees, each capable of growing to 25.5cm (10in) diameter. It was worth trying and may have additional potential, however it doesn't dissolve, but float. 8/7/12 update: Whereas I thought I had a bit of the hot peppery spice when dried, today's dried batch lacks that, also lacks bitter, and has a tart flavor. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Cap: Very large. This information is for educational purposes only. It is also reported to be edible when young, and at its most tender, but all I found online is that it tastes like shoe leather. your own Pins on Pinterest To me, tasting it alone was like eating a strong spice, which should be used as a seasoning, not its own dish. Retrieved from the MushroomExpert.Com Web site: http://www.mushroomexpert.com/bondarzewia_berkeleyi.html. I. Aroma: Especially on the day found, and holding true for some people many days later, this mushroom has a distinct and potent aroma that is also especially pronounced when dried. "Berkeley's polypore," as it is sometimes called, is found at the bases of (doomed) hardwoods in eastern North America, where it grows as a parasitic butt rot. ), that eating raw would cause GI upset if not done in small amounts, though conjecture would be that you can eat quite a lot more of this raw than you can with the very spicy Russula & Lactarius species. It is most common east of the Rockies. Cooked hen of the woods mushrooms also make excellent additions to grain salads. Bondarzewia [ ] [1] Bondarzewia berkeleyi (Fr.) Life cycle This species lives as a network of cells (mycelium) within living trees as a parasite, and dead trees as a saprobe, digesting and decomposing the wood. Chemical Reactions: KOH negative to orangish on cap surface; negative to dirty yellow on flesh. [7] Other field guides list it as inedible. Besides its large size (often two feet or more in I have read that in Eastern Europe people have enjoyed a related species by boiling it and then working with it in various ways. Boa ER, Boa E. Wild edible fungi: a global overview of their use and importance to people. The one hear was 1-1/2 ft. long on the map cap. D. Slow-Cooked: I found slow-cooking did not make it softer. A number of individual caps form the large rosette that comprises the mushroom, and an eccentric stem-like structure is usually found hiding below the caps. Therefore after stirring, drink soon, or if waiting a while much powder will eventually settle to the bottom. Saute: All I have left from my original ~20lb find that's not dried is a very tough mostly core section. It was moved to the genus Bondarzewia in 1941. An extremely abundant mushroom throughout many parts of the Southeast, Oyster mushroom. Dotting the forest floor as the temperatures get cooler is Wood Blewit. The upper surface is white, whitish, or tan and does not bruise. Live Statistics. We would love if you used the below buttons to share this article! to remove any member images or text at its sole discretion. Eastern cauliflower mushroom (Sparassis spatulata) has ribbonlike folds. Food & Agriculture Org. Cut and use the softer, outer edges of the caps (also called "leaves"). Bondarzewia berkeleyi, , , Russulaceae. Under the right conditions the caps can grow up to 1 meter wide while weighing up to 50 pounds (including sclerotium). [5], The fan- or shelf-shaped caps grow in overlapping clumps from the bases of oak trees, each capable of growing to 25.5cm (10in) diameter. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; Bondarzewia berkeleyi (Fr.) K.Infusing: No matter how tough, spicy hot, or bitter, infusing may hold another excellent potential of this mushroom. This fungus is actually a parasite, penetrating the root structures of suitable hardwoods. I have yet to find the Black Staining Polypore. The BbNSRV1 genome includes six predicted open reading frames (ORFs) of 279, 425, 230, 174, 200 and 1970 aa. IV. Index of Filter Descriptions: Annual or Perennial Common Hosts Fruiting Locations Hardwood or Conifer Hymenium or Spore Producing Layer Shape and/or Texture Stem Thickness Urban Commonality Rating Search Results: I have yet to find the Black Staining Polypore. Bondarzewia berkeleyi. Odor and Taste: Taste not distinctive; odor usually strong, fragrant and sweet (reminiscent of apricots). 4.9K views, 134 likes, 12 loves, 43 comments, 45 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from The Mushroom Hunter: I found this beautiful Bondarzewia berkeleyi (Berkeley's polypore) this afternoon! Panaeolus antillarum: Identification and Information, Entoloma Abortivum: The Shrimp of the Woods Mushroom. ), they can be powerful GI irritants even when cooked (unlessthoroughly cooked such that the hotness dissipates, I say in conjecture). These mushroom chips are sure to surprise almost anyone when they're told that they're actually eating a mushroom! They are various shades of white to pale grey, cream, beige or yellow. Being strongly flavored and also that some pieces used were tough, adding it like a flavoring herb was the best use of it. Bondarzewia is a common and destructive pathogen of oaks in southern New England, occurring on forest and landscape trees. A massive specimen of Berkeley's polypore (also known as stump blossoms, or Bondarzewia berkeleyi) is sliced in half and ornamented with green chrysanthemum blossoms and sprays of purple flowers . The enzymatic potential of this species is quite powerful too. Good afternoon friends and happy Labor Day. Culinarily, the most famous bolete is probably Boletus edulis King Bolete or Porcini. So far I have not encountered any my teeth could not handle, but I have yet to try chewing the most inner sections of my most mature finds. [4] So, what does this 374530443747. 2023 University of Massachusetts Amherst Site Policies, Center for Agriculture, Food,andtheEnvironment, UMassExtension Landscape, Nursery and UrbanForestry Program, CenterforAgriculture, Food, and theEnvironment, Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment. (n.d.). Basidia 4050 x 7.512 m; clavate; 4-sterigmate. II. The overall cluster was about 30 cm tall. Fries was studying an unnamed collection from North Carolina he found in the herbarium of English mycologist Miles Joseph Berkeley, and it was apparently quite a big one. These names will be used interchangeable throughout this article. I suspect braising formuch lesstime followed by a puree would work just as well. These fungi are delicious! Cebuano; Franais; lnski; Svenska; Winaray; Show all languages. E. Pressure Cooker: I have not tried this, but expect similar results to the slow cooker. Cap up to 25cm across, 15cm wide, 3cm thick, one or several overlapping in large clusters, usually fan-shaped; tan to yellowish; smooth, finely felty or rough and pitted. Whats in a Name? Although Bondarzewia berkeleyi has been compared to eating shoe leather,[3] some field guides list it as edible. Learn the most common wild edible gourmet mushrooms of the Southeast and when to find them. There is a depression in the center of every cap, whether convex or flat. Bondartsev & Singer Bondarzewia guaitecasensis Bondarzewia mesenterica Bondarzewia montana (Qul.) It probably wont be digested for starters. Get lifetime immediate access to all downloadable documents plus free access to my latest e-book for just one payment of $35 USD! Log In; Create a Profile; Quick Order. Maintaining high tree vigor and avoiding needless basal wounding can help to avoid establishment and development of the disease. It seems the spicy hot quality shifts to a bitter quality when cooked. Remember this analogy: Cacao beans are bitter and a bit tough in texture, but when properly prepared we commonly get a very different finished product: Soft melt-in-your-mouth chocolate. 0 Thinly Shaved like Truffles: I once knew a chef in Old Lyme, CT who said he used them like truffles, making shavings out of it. It forms concentric white bands on the cap and does not stain when handled unlike the similar Meripilus sumstinei (the black-staining polypore). Flesh up to 3cm thick, corky; pale bull. It is a parasitic species that causes butt rot in oaks and other hardwood trees. K. Infusing: No matter how tough, spicy hot, or bitter, infusing may hold another excellent potential of this mushroom. I'd expect this liquid to be very strongly flavored, thus best used in moderation amongst many servings. I can say from experience that getting to eat morel mushrooms is absolutely worth all the hype that they get and more. Polyporus umbellatus is particularly attractive to mushroom flies, so be careful that the mushrooms are more or less bug free. Sumac berries can be eaten raw or dried and are used as a tonic to increase appetite or treat coughs. Pickling: You can use the pickling recipe mentioned in the cooking section to make pickled maitake mushrooms . I think the best potential of this method is to extract the flavor. Bondarzewia berkeleyi - Berkeley's Polypore. Stem up to 8cm thick, lateral, usually branched, developing from an underground sclerotium; yellowish. Berkley's polypore (Bondarzewia berkeleyi) is characterized by fleshy, cream-colored caps and whitish pores. If you happen to be a chef or wild gourmet food sourcer and are in need of some of the finest Chanterelles that Alabama has to offer, look no further than Magic City Mushrooms.