The Chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius) season is here

PeteS · #1 (**permalink**) 30-05-2008, 10:17 AM

Walking the dog this morning in the New Forest I spotted some young Chanterelles just starting to fruit. Annoyingly I'd left my camera at home and had to do with my mobile phone, which is useless for pictures especially in bad light. Still had to try and take a photo. I will have to check my other patches at the weekend. These were a good week or two early.

Also saw Pleurotus ostreatus in large numbers.

fungi2bwith · #2 (**permalink**) 31-05-2008, 01:56 PM

Found my first chanterelles of the year today also. They are tiny and barely poking through, but found them in two seperate locations. Incidently it was on this very day last year when I first found them in 2007!

I'm jealous of the oysters, I haven't found them in this area for several years.

Garry

cybershot · #3 (**permalink**) 31-05-2008, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fungi2bwith

I'm jealous of the oysters, I haven't found them in this area for several years.

Garry

A very sparse collection from Minley Wood last year:

David

fungi2bwith · #4 (**permalink**) 31-05-2008, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cybershot

A very sparse collection from Minley Wood last year:

David

Looks like your better at spotting these than me, I've spent alot of time at Minley and never come across any.

Garry

PeteS · #5 (**permalink**) 01-06-2008, 12:07 AM

Checked two more sites for Chanterelles and one was also starting to fruit. Had my camera this time too. Last summer was outstanding in the New Forest for these mushrooms. Can't believe that it'll be as good again this season - we shall soon find out.

At the moment Oyster mushrooms are very common in my part of the New Forest. More frequent that Chicken of the Woods. However they are late - last year they started fruiting in March.

A few pictures taken while walking the dog today...

cybershot · #6 (**permalink**) 02-06-2008, 02:19 PM

First ones showed up in Minley Wood, Hants today:

David

NickCantle · #7 (**permalink**) 02-06-2008, 02:22 PM

The usual patch chum?

cybershot · #8 (**permalink**) 02-06-2008, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickCantle

The usual patch chum?

After seeing this thread I checked out two patches without success, then today checked out a third site and hey presto!

David

CapAndBracket · #9 (**permalink**) 02-06-2008, 02:27 PM

Nice find matey.

Cheers J.P.

NickCantle · #10 (**permalink**) 02-06-2008, 02:29 PM

I shall check my patch...oh wait, I don't have one...

NEEEEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIIIIIIILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL?!

fairplay · #11 (**permalink**) 02-06-2008, 08:42 PM

You rang Sir ?

NickCantle · #12 (**permalink**) 02-06-2008, 09:01 PM

Just after Chanterelles Neil, nothing big

fairplay · #13 (**permalink**) 02-06-2008, 09:44 PM

I only know of 2 sites in Suffolk, and one I checked this afternoon - no Chanterelles or Wood Chuck, and I do not know of any sites in Norfolk.
Found Calyptella capula on the half burried stem base of last years Ragwort, seems to be widespread in this particular wood.

Neil.

Leif · #14 (**permalink**) 02-06-2008, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickCantle

I shall check my patch...oh wait, I don't have one...

NEEEEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIIIIIIILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL?!

I recall finding some in woods near Hunstanton. There are some nice reserves near the coastline in Norfolk. And of course they are prime dicky bird sites too. However ... in my opinion Chanterelles are over-rated, though they do look neat. (Or 'kewl' in youf speak.)

endless autumn · #15 (**permalink**) 02-06-2008, 10:56 PM

I think they are delicious, but most in (at least the south of) England seem to grow under broadleaf trees, and are tougher, larger and less fragrant than those which grow under conifers.

Leif · #16 (**permalink**) 02-06-2008, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by endless autumn

I think they are delicious, but most in (at least the south of) England seem to grow under broadleaf trees, and are tougher, larger and less fragrant than those which grow under conifers.

Ahhh ... yes I tend to find them with Birch, and they have no smell, but some I found with Pines 25 years ago smelt of apricot!

PeteS · #17 (**permalink**) 03-06-2008, 11:07 AM

Yes, for me they are one of the best mushrooms to eat. Chanterelle omelette (the French Omelette aux Girolles) is out of this world. Simple too: eggs, Chanterelles, a bit of cream or creme fraiche and parsley. Made my first one of the season on Sunday

The best wild mushroom recipes are always simple. Anything too complex and you risk loosing the taste, smell, look and even texture of the mushroom.

The mushrooms that I don't get on with/think overratted are Chicken of the Woods - does not taste of much but can be useful for it's texture and looks and Morchella elata - does not taste of much but can be useful for it's texture and looks. Mind you, Morchella esculenta is much better but I've only had these from the shops.

flaxton · #18 (**permalink**) 03-06-2008, 11:40 AM

I know up north we are 10 degrees colder and 30 years behind you in the south but my couple of Chanterelle patches never produce before September

. The areas you lot are talking about now do they produce right through the summer or do other sites produce later in the year?

Mal

Leif · #19 (**permalink**) 03-06-2008, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flaxton

The areas you lot are talking about now do they produce right through the summer or do other sites produce later in the year?

The ones I know in South Hants produce in the Summer given the right weather, but Autumn is the main season.

NickCantle · #20 (**permalink**) 03-06-2008, 12:14 PM

Still never seen any at all apart from David's patch at Minley.

endless autumn · #21 (**permalink**) 03-06-2008, 12:39 PM

Mal - I usually find chanterelles in Northumbria and Cumbria in the Summer as well as the Autumn - it's well worth checking usual spots, or spreading the net further. Last year there was very little autumn fruiting, with the main flush in June/July.

PeteS · #22 (**permalink**) 03-06-2008, 12:52 PM

In my experience they tend to fruit twice in a season. The first flush is normally bigger than the first. If we get wet weather in May and June/July (like we had last year and we are getting now!) the first flush occurs in early summer. In these conditions the main season is the summer with a smaller flush late summer/early Autumn. This is what happend last season. In fact in the middle of June I picked over 1kg in just one spot.

If the early summer is dry then the main flush (as long as it's wet and warm) can take place in the early Autumn with a second as late as December. In the past I have found them on New Years day.

This is in South Hants.

endless autumn · #23 (**permalink**) 03-06-2008, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeteS

In my experience they tend to fruit twice in a season. The first flush is normally bigger than the first. If we get wet weather in May and June/July (like we had last year and we are getting now!) the first flush occurs in early summer. In these conditions the main season is the summer with a smaller flush late summer/early Autumn. This is what happend last season. In fact in the middle of June I picked over 1kg in just one spot.

If the early summer is dry then the main flush (as long as it's wet and warm) can take place in the early Autumn with a second as late as December. In the past I have found them on New Years day.

This is in South Hants.

Yes, I had a very enjoyable foray just before Christmas last year, picking winter chanterelles and the odd true chanterelle frozen solid by the cold - it was about -6C. Their texture was shot, but they made a lovely stuffing for the Christmas capon.