It’s peak season in Poland right now which you can successfully look for until November. These are some of the tastiest which encourages more and less experienced collectors to go on forest trips, but it is better to be careful when collecting them.
This is because the kite can be easily confused with the Red-crested Crested, which is very similar to it. At first glance, it is difficult to tell them apartbut it’s better to take a good look before you put the found specimen into your basket, because the latter can spoil the taste of any dish, even the best…
Chlorophyllum rhacodes, also called Chlorophyllum rhacodes, is an edible mushroomh (after heat treatment). Edible, however, only in theory, because probably no one in their right mind would find it tasty.
Its flesh is rubbery and the mushroom itself has an earthy taste. Experienced collectors know well that it can spoil even the best datawhich is why they often call it a “false kite”. It doesn’t even impress with its pleasant aroma…
Carefully remember the features of the red currant to distinguish it from the kite and thus avoid an unpleasant surprise in the kitchen. Above all this one is usually smaller than its tasty cousin. It may have a hat with a diameter of 5 to 20 cm, light brown in color with filaments/scales.
However, the characteristic feature that often allows you to distinguish the reddish curd from the kite is the stem – thick, much smoother, brittle and without a tuber at the base. The ring also appears on it.
Interestingly, In this mushroom, the gills, which are naturally white, can turn reddish when touched (hence the name). Just like the flesh, which also changes color to darker when cut.
Just like kites, you can now also see red-headed crescents in forests, which is why it is so important to be careful when picking mushrooms. This species it usually occurs in deciduous and mixed forests, as well as in parks, clearings and even in gardens until the end of November or the beginning of Decemberas long as the weather is mild.
It prefers soils rich in nitrogen and develops mycorrhiza with various trees, it is very fond of oaks, beeches and pines. The greatest chance to encounter it is at moderate air temperatures.
