| Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption |
| PeteS |
It's like 2006 - kilos of CepsHad a fantastic morning:
Picked over two days. The Ceps alone (there are some Dark Ceps in there two) came in at just over 2kg! And it's not even August. |
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| mihto |
Is there a more descriptive word in your language than "envious"? | ||||
| earthyvirgo |
WOW!
What more can be said. Must go and see if anything is appearing round here. EV |
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| PeteS |
There is an advantage to being made redundant and not having a job! |
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| wipka84 |
Wowza!
That is a fantastic haul. did it take you very long to collecT? http://www.bienmanger.com/2F1362_Dried_Ceps.html Who needs a job at these prices? |
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| mihto |
So far I haven't found a single mushroom this year. Nada. The dry June/July has set us back weeks. Now it rains at last and I hope that we will eventually see them, but ceps are not common around here. Every single one is a great treat and is cherished and carefully cleaned to make sure that not a single bit is lost.
Wonderful picture 
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| ksia |
That's amazing. 2 field mushies so far. 2 skinny, floppy field mushies.
I would probably kill to get a basket like that. |
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| bingo |
I need to get out there! | ||||
| PeteS |
Yes, otherwise I will get bored and raid your favorite site
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| PeteS |
Well, it was over two days, about 3 hours in total. Today was odd as I expected to pick virtually nothing as I had been to this spot on Friday and found zip. It shows how fast, in good conditions, these things can grow. |
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| Purplegirl |
165 euros per kilo of dried ceps? What? I have got to get me out there...
Can someone tell me what location is the best to look for ceps? Deciduous woodlands? Coniferous woodland? So far the only mushrooms I have identified in the wild are shaggy caps and they were only accessible by swimming across a rather dank canal (which i refused to do )
There are some nice woodlands and meadowlands around and I'd be interested to know which kind of woodland was best for hunting 'shrooms 
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| Stewy |
Only found this small chap this morning so left him alone although I was licking me lips at the thought of him thinly sliced in an omelette............
Maybe a bit early here yet but at least there are signs of things happening. |
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| PeteS |
Hello Stewy,
Yes, it's still really, although I did find a Cep that was over blown and about 20cm across the cap. However, most of it had gone past it's best. |
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| PeteS |
Hello Purplegirl, You tend to find Ceps around the edges of open spaces within woodland. Woodland that has oak, beech, birch and coniferous trees. However, at the moment I am finding them with oak and beech. Spots that I have found them with birch or conifers don't seem to be fruiting at the moment. This is often the case - these places (with any luck) will probably fruit later in the season. The real key is - look on the edges of woods, especially grassy places. Good luck! |
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| Purplegirl |
Thanks for the tip Pete
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| ksia |
Lovely picky Stewy. And you left him? That's the most self-disciplined thing I've ever heard. | ||||
| bingo |
I got about 2 or 3k this morning, cheers for the tip off Pete. | ||||
| jp |
Bay boletes are coming along nicely too. Also some Birch Boletes & a couple of small ceps.
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Also some small Horn of Plenty - a few more days should see them getting bigger & more abundent 
[img]  [/img]
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| Motyka |
Thanks for the stunningly mouthwatering photos everyone; up here in Sheffield, cep season has still yet to begin properly, even though I know of 7 sites around the city centre. During a run last sunday however I did come across a wonderful patch of bare-toothed Russulas (R. Vesca) under birch, perhaps one of the few Russulas worth picking as it's firmer fleshed than most, and reaches a substantial size! Plus, Suillus Luteus is beginning to fruit opposite my attic flat. Not a favourite, but at least it's consistent. If only the weather would permit a proper foray.... 
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| bingo |
Horns?.......Bingo rubs hands together. | ||||
| mihto |
How does one jump up and down with glee on Downsizer? I went on an unsuspecting afternoon stroll and found the very first Boletes.
*Memory to self: never go for a walk in summer without taking a plastic bag* Together with two trout caught on my way home I will have an excellent meal tomorrow. Ahhhhh, life is great
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| PeteS |
Hmmmm... horns! I checked my horn patches today (they have come early in the past) but there was no sign. As soon as I see something I will let you know. |
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| PeteS |
I prefer the Charcoal Burner (Russula cyanoxantha), the Green Cracikng Russula (Russula virescens) and the Yellow Swamp Russula (Russula virescens). All three are easy to find in the New Forest right now. In my view the best of the lot is the Green Cracking. |
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| AnnaD |
I am very jealous! I'm desperate to go mushroom foraging, but it just won't stop raining here. I've already missed out on most of the raspberries because of the bad weather 
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| Motyka |
I'm a little envious of you, Anna! All that rain's surely going to help those legendary Scottish chanterelle and Saffron milkcap patches to fruit!
I like the taste of green cracked russulas, but due to its relative scarcity in contrast to bare-toothed russulas up here, I only get to eat it as part of a mixed mushroom dish! You're in good company, as Geoffrey Kibbey (mycologist friend of Roger Phillips) is apparently a huge fan of yellow swamp russula. I can't always distinguish it from the common yellow though..... |
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| AnnaD |
That is true, but it rains so much that there's no chance to pick anything before it goes mouldy or mushy. But I may be lucky today because it's actually dry and sunny
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| jp |
I'm not yet confident with the Russulas yet. I think I've found some Charcoal Burners in the past & possibly a Yellow Swamp Russula or two, not to mention plenty of red coloured ones. Wish I could be sure enough of which was which to be able to eat them.... 
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| PeteS |
I find them relatively easy, well easy to ID the common edible ones. I have it on good authority that none of the Russulas are poisonous when cooked. So, if you are 100% sure you can ID a Russula what can go wrong ? Of course you need some experience to do this. However, the one that until recently I lacked confidence with was the Field Mushroom - there are a number of poisonous Agaricales that look very very similar to the common Field Mushroom which many relatively inexperienced mushroom pickers eat without bating an eyelid.
For the Russulas I use the nibble and spit test. Experienced mushroom hunters will know what I mean (but please don't try this until you know what you are doing). This has worked for me and I haven't got ill. However, most that are edible are poor. For the ones that I actually bother putting in the pan: * Charcoal Burner - unique for a Russula in having gills that are NOT brittle * Green Cracking Russula - the colour of the cap is like no other Russula * Yellow Swamp Russula - only Russula (infact just about the only mushroom) found in a birch bog. Also the 'nibble and taste' test gives a unique nutty flavour. PS - have found another this season (I haven't seen it before) that I like and it's Russula violeipes (no common name). |
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| Purplegirl |
Typical... my other half located the first Ceps we have seen in this area and they are all on land that is of 'Special Scientific Interest'. Oh well... back to the exploring for Ceps. *shrug* | ||||
| cab |
Yep, for russulas you're really just excluding the one or two nasty ones, nibbling to sample, and then either spitting out going "Ptah! Ptah! Gross" and drinking some water to get rid of the vile taste, or you're gathering some carefully into your basket. | ||||
| jp |
Pete & Cab thanks for the advice. I've seen plenty of what I think are Charcaol Burners around - so I will pluck up courage & try the taste & spit test! |