Boletus is a common name for several types of mushrooms of the genus Lektsinum (Obabok). The boletus got its name from the characteristic place of growth of these mushrooms, as well as the color of the caps, reminiscent of the autumn color of aspen leaves.
What does a boletus look like?
The boletus is very similar to the boletus, especially if it does not have a red cap. It is called in different places in different ways: redhead, red mushroom, redhead, red riding hood, kazarushka, redhead, obabok.
Boletus is a large mushroom with a fleshy cap, initially hemispherical, later cushion-shaped, with a diameter of up to 15-20 cm and more. The color of the cap is brick red, orange, yellow and even white. Most often, red and yellow-brown boletuses are found.
The tubular layer of the fungus is finely porous, at first white, later off-whitish and up to dirty-gray-brown, almost half the thickness of the cap. The stem of the mushroom is cylindrical: thickened at the bottom, white, with oblong brown or black scales.
The flesh of the cap of the boletus is white and coarser than that of the boletus. When cut or broken, the pulp begins to quickly change its color: at first it turns pink, then dark blue and even black. This happens as a result of the fact that the colorless pigments contained in the mushroom are colored under the influence of oxygen. But this does not affect the taste of the mushroom.
Where do boletus boletus grow?
Boletus mushroom is one of the most common mushrooms. Some of its species are distributed mainly in the zone of deciduous and mixed forests of Eurasia, others - in North America. Each species of boletus has one or more mycorrhizal partners-trees of a certain species, with the roots of which it is in close symbiosis. Thus, aspen mushrooms, contrary to their name, grow not only under aspen trees, but also under birches, in pine and spruce forests, on the edges and forest glades.
Red-headed boletuses often grow in small groups, but are often found singly. They prefer moist, low-lying deciduous and mixed forests, shady thickets, they are found on groves overgrown with grass, blueberries and ferns, in moss and along the sides of forest roads. And they are also found under aspen trees and in spruce forests that grew in the place where aspen trees used to grow.
The yellow-brown boletus forms mycorrhiza with birch and grows in damp places in birch and mixed forests (birch-aspen, spruce-birch), pine forests, sometimes under fern leaves. Most often, the yellow-brown boletus bears fruit singly.
White boletus is considered a rather rare type of mushroom. It is found in pine forests, mixed with spruce and other trees, in humid places, and in dry weather it grows in shady aspen forests. According to other sources, white is found in aspen, birch or coniferous forests mixed with birches.
When to collect aspen mushrooms?
Aspen mushrooms, like many types of mushrooms, grow in layers from the first half of June to October.
The first mushrooms may appear as early as June - together with other "spikelets", as the mushrooms of the first layer are called, which begin to crawl out of the ground during earing of winter crops and haymaking. But at this time there are still a few boletus boletus. From mid-August to mid-September, there is a massive and longest fruiting of boletus boletus. From the end of September to October (almost until the first frost), there is a sharp single fruiting, especially in wet summer.
The optimal season for growing red boletus is from June to October.
For yellow-brown boletus, the optimal appearance is from June to September, sometimes until late autumn.
A suitable season for the growth of white boletus is the period: from June to September.
What are the best places to collect?
From mid-June to the end of July, the best place for collecting aspen is plantings overgrown with willow, birch, aspen, small trees and bushes.
From mid-August to the end of September, collect aspen mushrooms mainly in coniferous and spruce forests.
In autumn (end of September, October), small forests, spruce forests, forests in the middle of the pine forest, dug with pits and bumps (due to heat and relative moisture) are considered a good place for collecting this type of mushroom.
Boletus properties
Boletus boletuses contain the correct balance of nutrients, which indicates their health benefits. They contain a large amount of essential macro and microelements such as iron, potassium, phosphorus, manganese and vitamins B, E, C and PP.
Valuable amino acids that make up these mushrooms are easily absorbed by the human body by 70-80%. The benefits of this product are manifested in the treatment of anemia and inflammatory diseases. Boletus promotes rapid wound healing and performs an immunostimulating function in recovery from infectious diseases. Boletus is also used to cleanse the blood vessels.
Boletus is a very tasty and nutritious mushroom. When cooking soups, it gives a good broth. There are many recipes where these mushrooms are part of. They are added to salads, sauces, soups, pies and other classic, original dishes. Also, dried boletus is put in some dishes as a seasoning.
Boletus calorie content: 22 calories per 100 grams of mushrooms.
Energy value:
- proteins - 3.3 gr. (~ 13 Kcal);
- fats - 0.5 gr. (~ 5 kcal);
- carbohydrates - 1.2 gr. (~ 5 kcal).
We also watch a video with a step-by-step recipe for making boletus mushroom soup at home.
