How porcini mushrooms grow in the forest. Where does the porcini mushroom grow?

Many mushroom pickers are interested in where porcini mushrooms grow now? And this is not surprising, because fans of the “silent hunt” are in awe of this macromycete, which is called the miracle of the mushroom kingdom. Therefore, the question “where they grow” is far from idle. Any mushroom picker with great joy will put them in his basket.

Description

In the white mushroom early age the cap is hemispherical, but over time it straightens, becomes more convex, and sometimes flattens. Its diameter can reach 20 cm or more. The color of the cap varies from light brown to dark brown. The color directly depends on the place where the porcini mushrooms grow. In coniferous forests, the caps are chestnut-brown with a reddish tint or a dark brown tint. In deciduous forests their color is pale yellow or light. The color scheme also depends on the light level. In the sun, the mushroom seems to tan - its surface becomes darker.

In young ones the layer is matte white. Over time, the color becomes slightly yellowish, somewhat with a greenish tint. Young macromycetes have a barrel-shaped stalk, light gray or light brown. As it grows in height, it acquires a cylindrical shape. Its diameter is up to 7 cm, height - up to 15 cm. The pulp is white, strong, and does not change its color when broken. Fresh mushrooms have no specific odor. Rich in vitamin D.

These macromycetes are found everywhere in mixed, deciduous and coniferous forests. They are collected from June to October. The most interesting thing is that you can determine where porcini mushrooms of a particular subspecies grow by the color of their fruiting body. According to this characteristic and “forest registration”, there are about twenty varieties of macromycetes. So, they distinguish between spruce and birch, pine and cow, as well as others. All these macromycetes belong to the highest category. They grow on all types of soil, except peat. In some regions these mushrooms are found in very large quantities.

Porcini mushrooms form mycorrhizae with some tree species. They bear fruit in waves. The first wave begins in early June, the second - closer to mid-July, the third - in August, etc. Productivity varies. As a rule, the first harvest is the leanest. Mushroom pickers believe that this macromycete is somehow connected with Where it grows porcini mushroom, you can also meet a poisonous handsome man. Moreover, white accompanies fly agaric. If the latter bears fruit, it means that a porcini mushroom has appeared. True, the reliability of this information is difficult to verify.

Culinary use

Porcini mushrooms are eaten pickled, stewed, fried, boiled, or dried. Countless dishes are prepared from them. And if a fresh specimen does not have a special smell (as already mentioned), then the aroma of dried macromycetes is simply unique. Some mushroom pickers believe that any other use of this product is blasphemy. By the way, if you keep dry porcini mushrooms in lightly salted milk for several hours, they again become as if they were fresh. These macromycetes are twice as nutritious as chicken eggs.

White mushroom (lat. Boletus edulis) is a type of fungus that belongs to the department Basidiomycetes, class Agaricomycetes, order Boletaceae, family Boletaceae, . This is the most colorful representative of the mushroom kingdom. The abbreviated name of the mushroom is simply “white”, some call it boletus. Even inexperienced mushroom pickers easily recognize the “forest celebrity” and fill their baskets with it.

Why is the porcini mushroom called white?

The white mushroom got its name in ancient times, when mushrooms were often dried rather than fried or stewed. The marbled pulp of the porcini mushroom, even after heat treatment and drying, remains perfectly white. People noticed this feature and called the mushroom with a dark cap white. Another version of the name is associated with the contrast of the porcini mushroom with the less tasty and less valuable “black” mushrooms, the flesh of which darkens when cut.

White mushroom - description and photo, characteristics and properties

hat

All mushrooms of the boletus genus have a strikingly delicate aroma and piquant taste.
The brownish-brown cap of a mature porcini mushroom grows on average to 7-30 centimeters in diameter. But in certain latitudes, subject to heavy rains and mild temperature regime Porcini mushrooms with a cap diameter of 50 centimeters also appear.

Determining the age of a mushroom is quite simple: the cap of a young porcini mushroom has an almost artistically designed convex shape, while overripe mushrooms are flatter, sometimes even prostrate in appearance. The surface of the porcini mushroom cap in most cases has a pleasant to the touch, slightly velvety texture; the upper skin is tightly connected to the pulp, so it is difficult to separate from it. In dry and windy weather, the cap becomes covered with a network of small but deep wrinkles or cracks, which leads to damage to the internal pores of the mushroom. IN rainy weather a thin film of mucus can be seen on the top of the cap. The color of the porcini mushroom cap can vary - from reddish-brown to almost milky white. How older mushroom, the darker and denser the cap becomes, and the skin acquires a characteristic roughness.

Pulp

The pulp of a ripe porcini mushroom is dense, juicy and mostly fleshy, with an attractive white color. In old mushrooms, it turns into a fibrous structure, the shade of the pulp acquires a slightly yellow or light beige tone.

Leg

The height of the leg of the porcini mushroom is small, reaching an average of 12 centimeters, but you can also meet “tall” representatives, the leg of which reaches 25 centimeters in height. The diameter of the leg is 7 cm, less often – 10 cm. Distinctive feature porcini mushroom is the shape of its stem: it is barrel-shaped or club-shaped, over time in old mushrooms it becomes cylindrical, slightly elongated in the center and thick at the base and cap. Its color varies from white to deep brown, sometimes with dark red spots. There are porcini mushrooms, the colors of the caps and legs of which are almost completely identical. Often, at the base of the cap, the stem has a network of light, thin veins, sometimes almost indistinguishable against the main background of the skin.

Blanket and spore powder

There are no remains of the porcini mushroom’s cover – the base of the stem is perfectly clean.
The spore powder is a juicy olive-brown hue, the spores of porcini mushrooms themselves are shaped like a spindle, their dimensions are amazingly tiny: 15.5 x 5.5 microns. The tubular layer is light, then turns yellow, acquiring an olive green hue.

Where do porcini mushrooms grow?

Porcini mushrooms grow on all continents, with the exception of arid australia and cold Antarctica. It is found throughout Europe, Northern and South America, in Mexico, in the territories of China, Japan and in the northern regions of Mongolia, in North Africa, in the British Isles, in the Caucasus, Kamchatka, Far East, in the middle and southern latitudes of Russia. Very often, porcini mushrooms can be found in the northern taiga, in the European part of Russia and in the Far East.

When and in what forests do porcini mushrooms grow?

The growth cycle of porcini mushrooms is very variable and depends on the place of growth. Porcini mushrooms begin to grow in May or June, and end with the abundant appearance of mushroom islands late autumn– in October-November (in warm regions). IN northern regions The white mushroom grows from June to September, with mass harvesting beginning in the second half of August. Growth phase white boletus quite long: in only a full week he reaches mature age. Mushrooms grow in families or ring colonies, so meeting even one porcini mushroom in the forest often promises sure success for a mushroom picker.

Porcini mushrooms grow in both coniferous and deciduous or mixed forests under trees such as spruce, pine, oak, birch, hornbeam, fir. Porcini mushrooms can be collected in places covered with moss and lichen, on sandy, sandy loam and loamy soils, but these mushrooms rarely grow on swamp soils and peat bogs. White mushroom loves sunlight, but it can also grow in dark areas. The mushroom grows poorly when the soil is waterlogged and daily air temperatures are low. Whites rarely grow in the tundra and forest-tundra, forest-steppe, and in steppe regions whites are not found at all.

Types of porcini mushrooms, names and photos

Among porcini mushrooms, the following varieties are considered the most famous:

  • Porcini mushroom (net boletus) (lat.Boletus reticulatus )

Edible mushroom. It looks similar in appearance, has a cap of brown or ocher color, sometimes with an orange tint, located on a short cylindrical stem. The mesh on the mushroom stem is white or brown. The cap has a diameter of 6-30 cm. The flesh is white.

The reticulated porcini mushroom is found in beech, oak, hornbeam, and chestnut forests of Europe, North America and Africa, in Transcaucasia. Occurs in June-September, but not too often.


  • White mushroom dark bronze (copper, hornbeam) (bronze boletus) (lat. boletus aereus)

An edible type of porcini mushroom, it is distinguished by a very dark brown color of the cap and stem - sometimes they are almost black. On the leg there is a mesh, first white, then walnut. The leg has a cylindrical shape. The flesh of the bronze porcini mushroom is white, does not change color when cut, is dense, with a pleasant smell and taste.

The dark bronze porcini mushroom can be found in oak, beech, oak-hornbeam forests from July to October, and is common in western and southern countries Europe, often found in the United States.


  • White birch mushroom (spike mushroom) (lat. Boletus betulicol a )

A special feature of the species is its very light, almost white caps, which reach 5-15 cm in diameter. Less commonly, its color has a slightly creamy or light yellow tint. The stem of the mushroom is barrel-shaped, white-brown in color, and has a white mesh in its upper part. When cut, the mushroom does not turn blue; the flesh of the mushroom is white.

It grows exclusively under birch trees and is found throughout its habitat, where there are birch forests and groves, along roads and on the edges. Fruits from June to October singly or in groups. It often grows throughout Russia, as well as in Western Europe.


  • White pine mushroom (pine mushroom, boletus pine-loving) (lat. Boletus pinophilus)

A type of porcini mushroom with a large, dark-colored cap, sometimes with a purple tint. The cap has a diameter of 6-30 cm. The flesh of the mushroom under the thin skin of the cap has a brownish-red color; in the stem it is white and does not turn blue when cut. The stem of the mushroom is thick, short, white or brown in color, and has a mesh of light brown or reddish hue.

White pine mushroom grows in pine forests on sandy soils and in the mountains, less often in spruce and deciduous forests, found everywhere: in Europe, Central America, Russia (in northern regions European part, in Siberia).


  • White oak mushroom (lat. Boletus edulis f. quercicola)

A mushroom with a brown cap, but not with a brownish, but with a gray tint, sometimes light spots are “scattered” on the cap. The pulp of this species is loose and less dense than that of other white varieties.

Oak porcini mushroom can be found in the oak forests of the Caucasus and Primorsky Krai; it is often found in middle lane Russia and its southern territories.


  • White spruce mushroom (lat. Boletus edulis f. edulis)

The most common type of porcini mushroom. The leg is elongated and has a thickening at the bottom. The mesh reaches a third or half of the leg. The hat has a brown, reddish or chestnut color.

The spruce porcini mushroom grows in fir and spruce forests in Russia and Europe, except Iceland. The white mushroom appears in June and bears fruit until autumn.


Beneficial properties of porcini mushrooms, vitamins and minerals

Due to its high mineral content, porcini mushroom is one of the most popular and healthy mushrooms. What are the benefits of porcini mushroom?

  • First of all, the pulp of the porcini mushroom contains the optimal amount Selena, capable of curing cancer in the early stages.
  • Ascorbic acid, which is contained in white, is necessary for the normal functioning of all organs.
  • The aromatic, delicious white pulp contains calcium, vital for the human body iron, and also phytohormones, allowing to reduce inflammatory processes in the body.
  • Riboflavin, which is part of the porcini mushroom, helps normalize the functioning of the thyroid gland, and also improves the growth of hair and nails.
  • B vitamins contained in white have a beneficial effect on nervous system, energy metabolism, memory and brain function, protect skin and mucous membranes from infections, are responsible for sound sleep, good mood and appetite.
  • Lecithin porcini mushroom is beneficial for atherosclerosis and anemia, helps cleanse blood vessels of cholesterol.
  • The value of porcini mushroom also lies in the presence B-glucan, an antioxidant that protects the human immune system and fights fungi, viruses and bacteria.
  • Ergothioneine as part of porcini mushroom, it stimulates the renewal of body cells, and is also beneficial for the kidneys, liver, eyes, and bone marrow.
  • Also, porcini mushroom perfectly stimulates the secretion of digestive juices.

Porcini mushroom is low-calorie, consists of 90% water, is perfect for drying, it is fried and stewed, and pickled for future use in the winter. The taste of the cooked pulp is unusually soft; immediately after cleaning, it emits an attractive mushroom smell, which only intensifies after heat treatment. The white mushroom has the strongest aroma after proper drying when the pulp gradually loses moisture.

Any mushroom is quite difficult for human digestion. But it is dried porcini mushrooms that are most accessible for digestion, since in dried form, the human body absorbs up to 80% of porcini mushroom proteins. This is the form of the mushroom that nutritionists recommend.

Harm of porcini mushroom

Porcini mushroom is an edible mushroom, but it can also cause poisoning in several cases:

  1. Porcini mushroom contains chitin, which is difficult for children, pregnant women, and people with diseases to digest. digestive system and kidneys. Even porcini mushroom broth can lead to exacerbations.
  2. Porcini mushrooms, like any other mushrooms, accumulate toxic heavy metals contained in the soil. That is why you need to be careful and under no circumstances collect mushrooms growing within the city or near industrial enterprises, landfills, waste, or near highways.
  3. The third reason for feeling unwell when eating porcini mushrooms is the occurrence allergic reaction for fungal spores.
  4. And, of course, poisoning can result from the consumption of a poisonous and dangerous double of the porcini mushroom, which is called gall mushroom or bitter.

The simplest advice for people who do not understand mushrooms and may confuse a porcini mushroom with a gall mushroom is not to collect mushrooms that turn blue (pink, red) when cut and have a bitter taste!

False porcini mushroom (gall mushroom). How to distinguish a white mushroom from a false one?

  • Pulp

One of the main differences between porcini mushroom and false gall mushroom is the color of the cut. When cut, the flesh of the gall fungus darkens and becomes pinkish-brown. The pulp of the porcini mushroom does not change color and remains white.

  • Leg

The gall mushroom has a rather bright mesh-like pattern on its stalk, which the edible porcini mushroom does not have.

  • Hymenophore

The tubular layer of the false porcini mushroom is pinkish in color, while that of the true porcini mushroom is white or yellow.

Tubular layer of porcini mushroom

  • Taste

The false white mushroom is bitter, unlike the edible white mushroom. Moreover, the bitter taste of the gall fungus does not change when boiling or frying, but may decrease when pickling due to the addition of vinegar.

Read about the poisonous false porcini mushroom.

False white mushroom

The Moscow region is famous for its mushroom places. August and September are the months when they stock up on mushrooms for the winter. At this time, in the Moscow region, in the forest, you can collect full baskets of boletus, saffron milk caps, aspen boletus, birch boletus, and moss mushrooms. From the second half of August, milk mushrooms, saffron milk mushrooms, white wave. In all directions of Moscow railway there are places where you can go for mushrooms. Let's figure out where to pick mushrooms in the Moscow region, what mushrooms grow in the Moscow region and how to safely pick mushrooms. Study the map, remember the mushroom places in the Moscow region and boldly go into the forest.


Map of mushroom places in the Moscow region

Mushroom places on the map of the Moscow region - enlarged by clicking

Where to pick mushrooms in the Moscow region - Kazan direction

Gzhel station. 4 - 5 km north of the railway, in the vicinity of the villages of Minino and Konyashino.

Grigoryevo station.

Ingatyevo station.

Kuzyaevo station. On both sides of the railway.

Shevlyagino station. North of the platform 2 km towards the villages of Averkovo and Shabanovo.

Platform 73rd km, Antsiferovo, station. Boletuses. 3 - 4 km from the railway.

Where to pick mushrooms in the Moscow region - Ryazan direction

Bronnitsy station. 5 - 6 km from the villages of Biserovo and Plaskinino.

Platform 63 km. 3 - 4 km from the railway.

Faustovo station. 3 - 4 km from the railway.

Peski station. 5 - 6 km near the villages of Berdniki and Novoselki.

Konev Boy station. In the direction of the villages of Shelukhino and Klimovka.

Shchurovo station. Near the village of the same name there is a coniferous forest. Chanterelles and porcini mushrooms.

Chernaya station. Located among a light pine forest. This is a cult place for mushroom pickers near Moscow. Even at the entrance to the station you can see them wandering among the tall trunks. When you exit the station, you almost immediately find yourself in the forest. Among the pines you can look for boletus and chanterelles. Pig mushrooms also love coniferous forests, but it is not recommended to collect them: these mushrooms absorb very quickly harmful substances. Either take them young, or discard them altogether.

Lukhovitsy station. Not far from the station there are two forests. The one to the north attracts with porcini mushrooms and boletus mushrooms. This is what the locals call it: birch forest. After walking a couple of kilometers along a country road towards Moscow, you will come to an unusually beautiful pond. It is located on the edge of the forest, which is replete with boletus and aspen mushrooms.

Where to pick mushrooms in the Moscow region - Yaroslavl direction

Pravda station. 1 - 2 km from the railway on both sides. To the east - towards the village of Nazarovo. To the west - towards the village of Stepankovo.

Pushkino station. This is one of the most environmentally friendly areas of the Moscow region. There are a lot of forests in the city area. Local grannies assure that there are mushrooms there. It all depends on your desire and perseverance. Lots of chanterelles and russula.

Sokolovskaya station. By bus number 349 from the station. From the Shchelkovskaya metro station you reach the final station (Shchelkovo-7), then you can catch a car and drive in a south-west direction. You disembark and walk through the forest in the same direction. From Yaroslavsky station by train to Fryazevo or Monino to Sokolovskaya. Next, take a bus or minibus to the village of Krasnoznamensky, then walk about 2 - 2.5 km north to the Klyazma River. It takes 40 minutes to get to Sokolovskaya by train.

Zelenogradskaya station. 2 km west of the platform in the direction of the village of Daryino.

Sofrino station. 3 - 4 km west of the platform in the direction of the villages of Mitropole and Novovoronino.

Ashukinskaya station. Cross the rails and move into the thick of the forest. According to locals, there are a lot of boletuses here. You won't return with empty baskets. You can take a break on the banks of the Vyaz River. The water is clean, so you can swim. 4 - 5 km west of the railway in the direction of the villages of Novovoronino and Martyankovo.

Kalistovo station. 3 - 4 km west of the platform, in the forests near the village of Artemovo. To the east - towards the village of Golygino and along the banks of the Vori River.

Abramtsevo station. 4 - 5 km west of the platform near the villages of Zhuchki and Akhtyrka.

Semkhoz station. On both sides of the railway. To the south - towards the villages of Vysokovo, Morozovo, to the west - towards the village of Shapilovo.

Station 76 km. This is the longest mushroom hunting trip. We walk the first 5 km to the Yaroslavl highway at a brisk pace, admiring nature, but don’t forget to look under the Christmas trees. Red boletus caps await you here. Go out to the shore of Lake Torbeevskoye. You can swim, have lunch, ride a jet ski or rent a catamaran. There are restaurants, cafes, and kebab shops. You can spend the night in hotel complex on the shore. From the shore you move north parallel to the Yaroslavl highway. Five kilometers to the highest waterfall in the Moscow region - Gremyachey. There are a lot of mushrooms in this area.

The village of Sharapovo. Locals call this place “rows”. Porcini mushrooms are hiding under the moss in the swamp. If you arrive in early August, you will be greeted by a wild raspberry harvest. How to get there: from Yaroslavsky station to Sergiev Posad, then by bus to Sharapovo to the “Cemetery” stop. You go down to the lake and go around it on the left to the forest area.

The most mushroom route: from the platform 43 km to the west there are deciduous forests. You can move along the highway or forest paths to the village of Mitropole. Then you go from there along the banks of the Vyaz River, which will lead to the village of Eldigino. Next, the route will lead southeast to the village of Daryino. And from here the forest road, after about 3 km, will lead to the Zelenogradskaya platform. The length of the route is about 16 km.

Where to pick mushrooms in the Moscow region - Leningrad direction

Podrezkovo station. 1.5 km south of the railway line along the right bank of the Skhodnya River in the direction of the villages of Ivanovskoye and Korostovo.

Firsanovka station. There are mushrooms on both sides of the railroad. In the north - 1.5 km from the station towards the villages of Novye Rzhavki, Nazaryevo and further towards the village of Klushino. In the west - 3 km from the station across the Goretovka River towards the village of Ruzino and near Pyatnitskoye Highway.

Beryozki Dachnye station. 1 - 2 km from the railway on both sides. From the west - towards the village of Snopovo and to the banks of the Istrinsky reservoir. From the eastern side - on the territory of the former Verkhne-Klyazminsky Nature Reserve towards the village of Terehovo.

Golovkovo station. 1.5 km north of the station in the direction of the village of Ermakovo.

Pokrovka station. On both sides of the station. From the north side - towards the villages of Koskovo, Dulepovo, Shakhmatovo. On the south side - to the villages of Zamyatino and Nikulino.

Frolovskoye station. 2 - 3 km from the railway on both sides. East of the station - in the direction of the villages of Dulepovo and Golenishchevo. To the west - towards the villages of Marfino and Vvedenskoye.

The most mushroom route: northeast from Firsanovka station to the village of Nazaryevo. Further - again to the northeast. Near the village of Elino, the route will cross the Leningradskoye Highway and lead into a dense mixed forest. This is the land of boletus mushrooms, porcini mushrooms, saffron milk caps and honey mushrooms. The trail leads to the banks of the Klyazma to the village of Poyarkovo.

The map of mushroom places in the Moscow region increases by clicking

Where to pick mushrooms in the Moscow region - Savelovskoe direction

Lobnya station. 3 km east of the line railway in the direction of the Pyalovsky reservoir.

Lugovaya station. Mushrooms can be found on both sides of the railway: in the west, 2 km towards the village of Ozeretskoye. To the east of the station - 3 km towards the villages of Sholokhovo, Fedoskino, as well as along the banks of the Pyalovsky reservoir. In these places you can collect a good harvest of chanterelles, boletus and boletus.

Lugovaya station. Mushrooms can be found on both sides of the railway: in the west, 2 km towards the village of Ozeretskoye. To the east of the station - 3 km towards the villages of Sholokhovo, Fedoskino, as well as along the banks of the Pyalovsky reservoir. In these places you can collect a good harvest of chanterelles, boletus and boletus. From Savelovsky railway station to Lugovoy station it takes 40 minutes. You can get there by any train, except the next one to Orudevo station.

Nekrasovskaya station. A kilometer west from the platform towards the village of Ozeretskoye. From Moscow to Nekrasovka it takes 42 minutes.

Catuar station. 2 km west of the station.

Trudovaya station. In a southwest direction.

Iksha station. There are mushrooms 2 km west of the station in the direction of the villages of Staro-Podgornoye, Khoroshilovo, Lupanovo. Boletus and boletus are found in these places. From Khoroshilov to the northeast to the Morozki platform. From Savelovsky station to Iksha - 54 minutes by train.

Morozki station. There are mushrooms on both sides of the railway: 1.5 km in the west - near the villages of Novlyanka, Grigorkovo, 2 km in the east - near the villages of Sboevo, Grishino, Novinki. Travel time from the station is 1 hour.

Tourist station. Mushrooms can be found on both sides of the railway: to the west - 4 km towards the villages of Dyakovo, Paramonovo, Strekovo. 2 km in the east - towards the villages of Shustino and Ulyanki. From Moscow to Tourist it takes 1 hour and 7 minutes.

Vlasovo station. A kilometer west of the station towards the villages of Bobylino and Popadyino. 1.5 km on the north side of the railway in the direction of the villages of Rastovtsy, Sorokino. It takes 2 hours to get to Vlasovo station. You can get there by train going to Taldom or Savelov.

Taldom station. 4 km southwest towards the villages of Nagovitsino and Gusenki. There are a lot of chanterelles in these places. From Savelovsky station to Taldom - 2 hours 10 minutes.

The most mushroom route: from Iksha station, go towards the village of Khoroshilovo (about 2 km). From here you need to turn northeast to the Morozki platform. The length of the route is about 15 km.

Where to pick mushrooms in the Moscow region - Riga direction

Opalikha station. In the north of Opalikha station in the direction of the village of Saburovo and in the forests along the banks of the Nakhabinka, Banka and Sinichka rivers, in the south towards the villages of Nikolo-Uryupino and Voronki there is a forest rich in mushrooms. To get to these places you need to walk 2 - 3 km, since there is no transport from the railway station. You can't drive a car there either. The train to Opalikha takes about 35 minutes.

Nakhabino station. According to locals, there are mushrooms 4 km north of the station towards Kozino along the banks of the Nakhabinka River. The drive to Moscow is about 45 minutes.

The village of Pavlovskaya Sloboda. The surroundings of this village are rich in mushrooms, in particular champignons. From the railway station From Nakhabino to Pavlovskaya Sloboda there is minibus No. 23, the ride to the village is about 10 minutes. There are lakes near Pavlovskaya Sloboda and the village of Valednikovo, where you can swim. Both in Nakhabino and Pavlovskaya Sloboda they sell mushrooms, mainly champignons.

Dedovsk station. 3 - 4 km from the station to the north from the railway line towards Turov and Nikolo-Cherkizovo.

Snegiri station. On both sides of the railway. In the north - 2 km from the station towards Eremeev, in the south - a kilometer towards the village of Zhevnevo and along the right bank of the Istra River.

Kholshcheviki station. A kilometer south of the station and further in the forests along the right bank of the Malaya Istra River.

Yadroshino station. On both sides of the railway. In the north - a kilometer from the station towards the village of Markovo-Kursakovo. In the south - behind the Volokolamsk highway, 3 km from the station, in the direction of the villages of Lapino and Novodarino.

Kursakovskaya station. To the east from the station towards the village of Markovo-Kursakovo.

Rumyantsevo station. 2 - 3 km from the railway line on both sides. In the eastern and northern directions - towards the villages of Rybushki, Savelyevo, Dolevo, along the banks of the Maglushi River. In a south-west direction - towards Lake Trostenskoye.

Lesodolgorukovo station. To the north of the railway line towards the villages of Nudol-Sharino, Maryino.

The most mushroom route: 2 km north of Opalikha station, behind the village of Novonikolskoye, on the banks of the Banka River. The forest here extends for several kilometers to the west and east. Go around the village of Saburovo from the west and head towards the village of Fedorovka. From the village of Yurlovo on Pyatnitskoye Highway you can take a bus back to Moscow. The length of the route is 12 km.

Where to pick mushrooms in the Moscow region - Belarusian direction

Zhavoronki station. 1 km south of the station, in the direction of the villages of Mitkino, Sumino, Malye Vyazemy. 2 - 3 km north of the railway line towards the village of Nazaryevo, in the vicinity of which you can now “hunt” for chanterelles and honey mushrooms, as well as in the forest along the banks of the Bolshaya and Malaya Vyazemka rivers. From Belorussky Station to Zhavoronki it takes about 50 minutes by train.

Khlyupino station (Zvenigorodskaya line from Golitsyno station). From the southwest the forest came close to the railway line. Route in the direction of the villages of Raevo and Alyaukhovo. To the north and northeast of the station you can go through the forest to the villages of Chigasovo and Goryshkino. There are mushrooms in locality Malye Vyazemy. Malye Vyazemy station is one stop on the train, before reaching Golitsyn.

In the Smolensk direction Golitsyno is the most large city. Various mushrooms are sold at the market near the station. If you decide to spend the weekend in the Moscow region, you can spend the night in Golitsyn: there is a small hotel in former House Writers' Union (1 and 2 local numbers). The rooms are not luxurious, but there is a shower and toilet. To get to the hotel, you need to turn left from the platform and walk about 700 meters in a straight line. The low red brick building on the right is the hotel.

Skorotovo station (Zvenigorod line). To the north from the station in the direction of the village of Dunino, to the east - towards Chigasov, to the south and southwest - to the villages of Raevo and Alyaukhovo.

Zvenigorod station. In the western and eastern directions from the station in the vicinity of the villages of Maryino, Salkovo, Dunino. In the west - near the villages of Klopovo, Pestovo, as well as along the banks of the Ostrovnya River. A minibus goes to Zvenigorod from Golitsyno station.

Stations Sushkinskaya, Petelino, Chastsovskaya and Portnovskaya (the stations follow each other). 2 - 3 km from the stations, a huge forest stretches in a southern direction for many kilometers, to the Kyiv direction railway.

Petelino station. In the northern direction there is a forest rich in mushrooms (north is the right side of the railway tracks when coming from Moscow). At the station Petelino there is a sign to the Petelino poultry farm. If you follow this road, you can come to places rich in mushrooms, a lot of honey mushrooms. From Moscow to Petelin it takes about an hour.

The most mushroom route: from Petelino station you walk along the Ostrovni River to the north, passing the village of Tatarki, the village of Gar-Pokrovskoye and the village of Ivonino. Then you walk 6 kilometers along a forest path along the bank of the Ostrovni River to the village of Pestovo. From here head north-east through the forests to the village of Klopovo. 2 km east of it is the Zvenigorod station.

Where to pick mushrooms in the Moscow region - Kiev direction

Here, in the vast deciduous and mixed forests, mushrooms of all kinds grow

Pobeda station. Mushrooms on both sides of the railway (1 km). In the southeast - towards the village of Kalugino. In the west - to the villages of Sumino, Sanniki, Mamyri. It is better to get there from the Kievsky railway station on all trains, except those going to the Airport, Solnechny and Lesnoy Gorodok. It takes 48 minutes to get to Pobeda station.

Dachnaya station. 2 km south of the platform in the forest beyond the Desna River, in the vicinity of the villages of Svitino and Timonino. Travel time from Moscow is 55 minutes.

Selyatino station. Move south and southeast from the station in directions to the villages of Syryevo, Glagolevo, Ignatovo. From Kievsky railway station to Selyatino station - approximately 1 hour 3 minutes by train.

Rassudovo station. 2 - 3 km east of the railway line in the direction of the village of Glagolevo, as well as in the vicinity of the villages of Kuznetsovo, Dolgtino, Ignatovo.

Ozhigovo station. A path goes south from the platform, which after 1.5 km intersects with the Kyiv highway. Then the path goes through fields. Head south. It's easy to get lost here, so you need to take a compass. After crossing the Ladyrka River, you will find yourself in a forest area - Kuznetsovskoe forestry. You can return to Moscow from the Bekasovo or Zosimova Pustyn platforms, which are located to the west. There are quite a lot of russula and nigella in these places. From Moscow to Ozhigov it takes 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Bekasovo station. Mushrooms on both sides of the railway in the area of ​​1 - 2 km. Head east and south from the station, in these places the forests are very rich in mushrooms, especially around the villages of Ivanovka, Afanasovka, Savelovka and Mogutovo. From Kievsky station to Bekasov it takes 1 hour 12 minutes only by train, going to Maloyaroslavets.

Bashkino station. Forests on the west side of the railway. 2 km east of the station towards the village of Pokrovka. The forests are rich in russula and other mushrooms. Bashkin can be reached in 1 hour 47 minutes.

Obninskoye station. North-west of the station, 2 - 3 km towards the villages of Samsonovo, Belkino, as well as on both banks of the Protva River.

The most mushroom route: a path goes south from the Ozhigovo platform. After 1.5 km it crosses Kievskoye Highway. Then the path goes through fields. In the west you can see the village of Sotnikovo. From here it is better to move in a southerly direction. You cross the Ladyrka River and find yourself in the Kuznetsovskoye forestry, thinned out by unusual clearings. They start at the forester's house and spread out in twenty-five rays in all directions. You can return to Moscow from the Bekasovo platform. The length of the route is 12 - 15 km.

Where to pick mushrooms in the Moscow region - Kursk direction

Here there is an abundance of russula, nigella, milk mushrooms, boletus, aspen, chanterelles, and boletus.

Grivno station. 2 - 3 km east of the railway in the direction of the villages of Berezhki and Kharitonovo.

Lvovskaya station. To the southeast of the station in the direction of the village of Ivino.

Kolkhoznaya station. 2 - 3 km from the railway on both sides. In the east - towards the village of Nikonovo and in the forests along the banks of the Rozhaya River. South-east of the station in the forest behind the village of Sharapovo. In the west - towards the villages of Panino and Zhokhovo.

Station Chepelevo and Chekhov. In the direction of the villages of Alachkovo, Maksimikha, Oksino.

Luch station. 4 - 5 km from the railway on the western side in the vicinity of the villages of Popovka and Milyachino.

Sharapova hunting station. To the east to the villages of Pleshkino, Voskresenki, Petrukhino.

Avangard station. 2 - 3 km east of the station, in the direction of the village of Vskhody, as well as into the forests stretching along the banks of the Rechma and Lopasnya rivers. You can get to the Lopasni River valley from Serpukhov by bus to the village of Gurovo or by boat to the Priluki pier.

The most mushroom route: start collecting 2 km east of Lvovskaya station in the forest behind the village of Lagovsky. In this forest, along the gentle slopes of ravines, in open birch forests, along the edges and old forest roads and clearings, whites grow. From the village of Meshcherskoye to Kolkhoznaya station you can walk along the picturesque banks of the Rozhaya River or straight through the forest. The length of the route is 16 - 20 km.

Where to pick mushrooms in the Moscow region - Gorky direction

Fryazevo station. South of the station beyond the village of Vselodovo.

Kazanskoe station. On both sides of the railway.

Where to pick mushrooms in the Moscow region - Paveletskaya direction

Vzletnaya station. On both sides of the station: in the birch forest behind the village of Redkino or west of the villages of Bityagovo and Yusupovo, as well as east of the station towards the village of Elgazin.

Vostryakovo station. 2 - 3 km from the railway, south of Zaborye.

White Pillars station. 3 - 4 km from the station in the direction of the villages of Shebantsevo, Kolychevo, Sonino, Kurganye.

Barybino station. West of the station behind the village of Rastunov, in the vicinity of Yusupov, Shishkin, Uvarov. Along the banks of the Severka River.

Velyaminovo station. 2 - 3 km from the railway on both sides. In the east towards the villages of Tatarinovo, Lenkovo, Kaverino and in the forests along the right bank of the Vostets River. In the west - in the vicinity of the village of Velyaminovo.

Privalovo station. 2 - 3 km from the railway on both sides. In the east - towards the villages of Konstantinovskoye and Kishkino. In the west - in the vicinity of Nemtsov, Sidorov.

Mikhnevo station. 3 km from the railway on both sides. To the east - towards Koshelevka, Vasilyevsky, Ignatiev. To the west - to Razinkov and Usady.

Shugarovo station. 3 - 4 km west of the station, towards Torbeev, Zavorykin.

Zhilevo station. On both sides of the railway. In the east - 1 - 2 km towards the village of Petrovo, in the west - 3 - 4 km towards Pochinki, Sitna-Shchelkovo, Psarev.

Stupino station. 2 - 3 km from the railway on both sides. In the northeast - towards the village of Staraya Sitnya. In the west - to Matveikov, Saigatov.

Akri station. In the forest to the west and south of the station in the direction of Saigatov, Sokolovaya Hermitage.

The most mushroom route: start the hike from Belye Stolby station. 1 km to the west begins deciduous forest. 6 km from the station, south of the village of Shebantsevo, you need to cross the Kashirskoe highway and go deeper into the forest south of the village of Sonino. This is the kingdom of porcini mushrooms. From Shebantsev you can return along the road to the station. White pillars or take a bus to the station. Domodedovo or Mikhnevo.


Where and when to pick mushrooms in the Moscow region?

Everyone knows that mushrooms grow well in warm, humid weather, especially if it is July or August. Most mushroom pickers can be found in mixed and spruce forests, birch groves and pine forests.

Cap mushrooms, many of which are edible, usually have a developed mycelium under several tree species at once. IN Forests near Moscow mycorrhiza (“fungus root”) most often appears near pines, spruces, birches, oaks and aspens. Less common under larches, poplars, alder and rowan.

For some edible mushrooms, the organic matter of decaying wood or forest litter of leaves and needles is more important. Many honey mushrooms are famous for this.

There are edible mushrooms that thrive in seemingly completely inappropriate places. For example, on burnt areas and fireplaces you can see the tall morel growing.

There are more mushrooms on the edges of the forest, along forest roads, clearings, on lawns, etc. But dense thickets and too high grass stand are considered less suitable places for collecting mushrooms.

The first (spring) mushrooms are morels and strings. June - August is the time when the bulk of edible mushrooms appear. The growth of many edible mushrooms is inhibited or ends with the onset of autumn frosts. Although some of them can be collected even with a serious drop in air temperature in late autumn. For example, winter honey fungus. Toward the end, before the start of winter, such little-known edible mushrooms as buttercollibia and violet rowan continue to appear.


How to pick mushrooms in the Moscow region - safety rules

The basic safety rules that should be followed when going into the forest to pick mushrooms or berries are simple, the main thing is to follow them. The forests of the Moscow region, of course, are not taiga, but you can get lost in them, so do not neglect the safety rules when picking mushrooms and you are guaranteed the pleasure of quiet hunting in the Moscow region:

1. You should not go into the forest alone. When going to the forest, it is necessary to warn relatives and friends about the route and time of stay in the forest.

2. Rescuers recommend refilling your cell phone balance and checking the battery charge before going mushroom hunting. Take with you a compass, matches, a knife, a small supply of water and food. Those who constantly use medications, and this primarily concerns older people, need to have medications with them.

3. Clothes should be bright. Camouflage in the forest can be invisible even from three meters. It would be good if there were reflective stickers on your clothes.

4. Enter the forest only during daylight hours. Remember your route, pay attention to fallen trees, streams, and clearings that will help you navigate the forest.

5. If you do get lost, don’t panic, stop and think about where you came from, whether you can hear screams, car noise, or barking dogs. If possible, climb on tall tree and look around.

6. Try to find a clearing or road and move along it. It should be remembered that any road will sooner or later lead you to a populated area.

7. If you couldn’t find your way and night found you in the forest, don’t worry. Find a suitable place to stay overnight. It is not recommended to move in the dark; you can get injured by tripping or falling into the water.

8. The place to spend the night is chosen high and dry, preferably near big tree. Prepare brushwood for the fire, make bedding from spruce branches. It is best to sit with your back to a tree, light a fire in front of you and keep it going all night.

9. More than once I have helped to identify the location of lost mushroom pickers cell phone. To ask for help, you need to dial 112 and explain your location, following the quarter post, which is a kind of forest sign. You can call rescuers from your mobile phone even without a SIM card or if you are on the territory of a “foreign operator” of cellular communications.

Previously on the topic of Mushrooms:

A special delicacy on any table is the porcini mushroom - not only tasty, but also healthy. It can be used not only for food, but also as remedy. For a mushroom picker, it is important not to make a mistake in choosing - to look at the handsome one among the forest grass and be able to distinguish it from its skillfully camouflaged poisonous and inedible counterparts.

The white mushroom or boletus (Boletus edulis) belongs to the class Agaricomycetes, genus Boletus, family Boletaceae. It has many names: cow, bear, wood grouse, belevik and others. Classified as edible.

The cap is convex in shape, gradually becoming flatter, with a span of up to 30 cm. The outer part is usually smooth, but may have wrinkles and cracks in hot weather. During high humidity with a small mucous layer, shiny when dry.

The color of the porcini mushroom cap varies depending on where it grows:

  • among pine trees - closer to chocolate, perhaps pink edging;
  • V spruce forest– brown with a coffee, sometimes green tint;
  • next to deciduous trees– light, light walnut, yellow ocher.

The pulp is dense, in newly emerged specimens it is light, turning yellow with age. The color does not change when cut. It has a weak taste and smell when raw. A special pleasant aroma spreads during cooking or drying.

The stem of the mushroom is 8-12 cm high, up to 7 cm thick. The shape is “barrel” or “club”, elongated in aging specimens, thickened at the base. The surface shades are brown with whitish or reddish tints. The reticular layer is light, most often located closer to the cap. Rarely is it mild or absent altogether.

The tubular layer is from light in young to yellowish and greenish in older individuals; it comes away from the flesh of the cap without difficulty.

Distribution and collection season

They grow next to many trees, but most of all they love the “community” of pine forests, birch or oak groves, and spruce forests.

The boron form in autumn friendlyly shares space with green russula in the oak forest and with the chanterelle next to the birches, appears at the same time as the greenfinch.

There is a high probability of finding such whites in pine trees that are 20-25 years old, or in a pine forest that is at least 50 years old and covered with moss and lichen.

The best temperature for mushroom growth is in summer months 15-18 degrees Celsius, and in September 8-10. Serious temperature changes and rain inhibit the development of mycelium. White hare grows best after minor thunderstorms and foggy, warm nights.

They like soils with the presence of sand and loam, without excess water. Peat bogs and swampy areas are excluded. They also do not like hot places, although they prefer good lighting.

You can meet the hare on all continents except Australia. It grows especially actively in Europe, northern America and even Africa. In Asia it reaches Japan and China. In Russian forests - almost everywhere, reaching the tundra and Chukotka, but is not found in the steppes. Doesn’t like to “climb mountains” too much.

Fruiting is solitary, closer to autumn days– heap.

Porcini mushrooms grow in seasons: in more temperate climatic latitudes - from mid-June to the end of September, the most mushroom time is from the fifteenth of August. Where it is warmer, it may appear by the end of May and not disappear until October.

Species diversity and description

Scientists have counted 18 forms among white hare, but the average amateur will not want to climb into such jungle. And it’s possible to meet some only on other hemispheres of the planet. Therefore, let’s take a closer look at what grows in the forests of Russia.

Spruce

The white spruce mushroom (Boletus edulis f. edulis) is large in size, up to 2 kg per specimen. The hat is chestnut-brown or “brick with a red tint”, in the form of a hemisphere, turning into a plane over time. The top is wrinkled and velvety to the touch. In young mushrooms, the edges are slightly turned inward.

The tubes are white, gradually appearing yellow-green. Leg height 6-20 cm, thickness 2-5. The mesh layer is located closer to the cap.

Distribution and collection time

Collection is possible from early June to early October in spruce-pine and mixed forests - wild and park. They love the proximity to spruce.

Oak

The white oak mushroom (Boletus quercicola) has a cap most often of a coffee-gray color, with possible light inclusions, with a diameter of 5-20 cm, fleshy and dense. With age, it gradually begins to wrinkle. As humidity increases, the surface becomes shiny and slightly slimy.

The leg is widened or club-shaped, 6-20 cm high and 2-6 cm in diameter. The inner part is more fragile than that of other species.

Where and in what season is it collected?

Oak porcini mushrooms grow from May to October next to oak trees and mixed vegetation in the middle and southern zone of the center of the country, the forests of the Caucasus, and Primorye. They spread widely, sometimes in clusters.

Birch

Birch porcini mushroom (Boletus betulicola) – the fruiting body is much larger than that of its other counterparts. The cap reaches 5-15 cm in diameter, but at times grows to 25-27 cm. The color is light - from white to light coffee, it can wrinkle slightly and crack in the heat.

The tubes are white, with the decay of the mushroom comes a creamy tint. The interior is dense and remains white when dried. The leg is barrel-shaped, white-brown, the mesh is closer to the cap, 5-13 cm high, 1.5-4 cm wide.

Distribution and collection time

The white birch mushroom is present throughout the forests of the European part of Russia, the middle latitudes of Northern and North-East Asia, the Caucasus, and the tundra zone - among the northern birch forests. Any soil (but does not take root on peat bogs), the main thing is that birches or at least aspens grow nearby.

You can find it from early summer until October. Some beauties can survive until the first cold weather. Trim carefully 1.5-2 cm from the ground. You need to look for birch porcini mushrooms on the outskirts of the forest and along nearby roads.

Pine

The white pine mushroom (Boletus pinophilus), also called boletus, looks like a “fat mushroom.” The height of the leg is from 5 to 16 cm, with a diameter of 4-10 cm, thicker at the base. The surface is completely “enveloped” in a reddish or light brownish mesh.

The diameter of the cap is 5-25 cm. The general color is dark brown, there may be variability in reddish shades, the outline is slightly pink, in newly grown ones it is closer to light. The lower part is white-yellow, darkening with increasing age. The flesh at the break is white, under the skin it is brown with a red tint, with a weaker structure than that of the white birch mushroom.

Where and in what season is it collected?

Borovaya porcini mushroom is collected in the Siberian taiga, coniferous forests the western half of the European part of the country and in the northeast from July to the 15th of October. Prefers sandy soils pine forest, old forests with mosses and lichens. Can be found in forests mixed with pine.

It is important to collect before the tubular layer acquires a greenish tint - old specimens can lead to poisoning!

Picking mushrooms - how to do it right?

When going to the forest, you need to understand where, when and how to collect porcini mushrooms. It is preferable to start “hunting” for them in July and August. They especially scatter across the soil after brief thunderstorms and warm fogs at night. In summer, the boletus mushroom grows for 6-9 days, in autumn – 9-15.

It is advisable to come to the forest before the sun has risen, when the white mushroom is clearly visible. Move slowly, carefully examining the ground. Especially places with sand and loam, where the soil does not flood. When the summer is damp, you should look away from the trees, on hills and in places well lit by the sun. If the season is dry, whites hide near the trees, where the grass is thicker. They love to live next to morels.

The best specimens for collecting are those with a cap diameter of approximately 4 cm. Boletus is loved by various kinds of pests, so you need to look out for them carefully, especially in the cap. Be sure to cut it into pieces and remove the wormholes. Within 10 hours, the porcini mushroom must be processed (placed for drying, salting, fried, etc.), otherwise most of the beneficial properties will be lost.

Collection rules

  • cut off the porcini mushroom carefully, without damaging the mycelium;
  • can be unscrewed;
  • clean from possible pests (although it is better to take whole ones);
  • place in a collection container with the cap down;
  • if the legs are high, lay them sideways;
  • leave overripe and questionable specimens on the ground;
  • do not trample.

Healthy porcini mushrooms are not afraid of frost, so they can be harvested even after frost. After thawing, they do not lose their taste.

Nutritional quality

Freshly picked porcini mushroom has a calorie content of 34 kcal per 100 g of mass, dried - 286 kcal. Nutritional value – 1.7 g fat, 1 g carbohydrates, 3.5 g protein per 100 g weight. Also disaccharides and saturated fatty acids.
Praised for excellent taste in any form. Special nutritional value the fact that it makes the stomach work actively.

90% of the weight is water, the remaining 10 is divided into proteins, fiber, carbohydrates, minerals and fats.

It contains the most important microelements - iodine, copper, manganese and zinc. Vitamins – PP, C, B1, A. 22 amino acids. The amount of protein depends on the type, age of the mushroom (the younger the better), place of growth and method of preservation. Dried porcini mushrooms are especially good at preserving proteins.

Digestibility of mushroom proteins

Occurs more slowly than in animals, since the proteins of the fungus are enclosed in special walls that “do not penetrate” enzymes digestive tract. To improve absorption by the body, mushrooms need to be well chopped, boiled or fried.

Usage

White mushrooms without wormholes are allowed to be eaten in any form - dried, boiled, fried, salted, pickled and fresh. When dried, they do not become dark, leaving a pleasant forest aroma. The sauce goes great with meat and rice. Powder from such mushrooms can be seasoned different dishes. Italians love them very much, adding them raw to the ingredients of a salad with Parmesan cheese, seasoning with oil, spices and lemon juice.

Dried mushrooms can be stored for 1 year by placing them in paper bags. The air temperature should be fixed and moderate, and regular ventilation is required.

The benefits and harms of porcini mushroom

Porcini mushrooms are both beneficial and harmful depending on their human use.

Useful properties

  • in pharmaceuticals – treatment of mastopathy, oncology, angina pectoris, tuberculosis;
  • strengthen the immune system;
  • improve the condition of eyes, hair and nails;
  • are a preventative against anemia and atherosclerosis;
  • when used externally – promotes rapid healing of wounds.

Harm

  • collected near roads and industrial enterprises - absorb heavy metals and toxic substances;
  • if stored improperly, porcini mushrooms can cause serious stomach upset, especially in children;
  • excessive consumption dried mushroom can cause obesity;
  • use porcini mushroom with caution in patients with liver and kidney problems.

Mushroom look-alikes

A serious problem is being created dangerous doubles white mushroom. To distinguish the porcini mushroom from false poisonous and inedible mushrooms, use the table below.

White mushroom Satanic (false white mushroom) Gall (bitter)
hat from red-brown to almost white grayish-white, coffee shades or olive light brown shade
Leg light mesh layer yellowish-red with mesh pattern dark mesh layer
Tubular layer white or cream in young and greenish in old reddish-orange, turns blue when pressed white, later pink
Pulp dense, odorless dense with an unpleasant odor soft with a pleasant mushroom smell
Behavior at fracture and shear color does not change slowly turns red, then turns blue turns pink
Edibility edible poisonous inedible

It is clear that they are poisonous and inedible mushrooms They are in many ways similar to white ones, but upon closer inspection they can still be distinguished. An additional look at the external condition will help - false ones have an impeccable appearance.

Symptoms of doppelgangers poisoning, first aid

In case of poisoning in an adult, serious symptoms last up to 3 days. These are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and headache. But due to the unknown impact of poisons, psychogenic reactions are real, including hallucinations, absolute loss of self-control and memory, and even lethargic sleep or death.

As soon as symptoms arise, immediately rinse the stomach and take the poisoned person to the hospital or call ambulance. The effects of doppelgangers mushrooms, especially Satanic mushrooms, have been little studied and delaying first aid can be fatal.

Carefully compare the appearance of the one you come across to “ quiet hunt» a copy with a description of the porcini mushroom, as you remember it and using the photos given in the article. Place only those in your cart that you are completely sure of. And then the beauties brought home will delight all gourmets with the amazing aroma and taste of forest gifts.

The porcini mushroom has long been considered the king among all mushrooms. People call it differently: boletus, cow-cow, cow-shed, bear-crawler, pechura, cow, belovik. Even when there are a lot of different mushrooms in the forest, each mushroom picker tries to collect as many boletus mushrooms as possible into his basket. This edible mushroom is so popular due to its irresistible appearance and excellent taste.

The stocky, strong king of the forest, the porcini mushroom, has a velvety, brown cap. It grows in spruce and pine forests. The mushroom has a chestnut-brown cap. The flesh of the cap is strong and has a pleasant smell. Its shape is round and convex; when broken, it retains its white color after a while. The mushroom cap is spongy below and smooth on top. In a young boletus, the tubular layer of the cap is white, in a mature one it is yellowish. The diameter of the cap is 25 cm. The leg is strong and thick. Near the ground it is often wider than in the upper part and has a light, thin mesh. In mushrooms that grow in shaded areas it is long. The thickness of the leg reaches 10cm, and the height is on average 12cm. The weight of a porcini mushroom is 200 g, but giants weighing up to 7 kg are found in nature.

Where does the king of mushrooms grow and when is the best time to go hunting for it? You can go to the forest for boletus from the beginning of June until mid-September. It is during these months after the rain that a “wave” of boletus growth occurs. The porcini mushroom is not always visible to the mushroom picker. It often hides in mosses, behind decaying brushwood or in fallen leaves.

Boletus loves to grow next to pine, birch, spruce, oak, beech and hornbeam. It can be found in birch forests and even near juniper thickets.

Porcini mushrooms prefer to grow when it is warm and humid. It can often be found in a lighted place on a sun-warmed lawn, in a sparse forest, on old paths overgrown with grass, on the edge, near clearings.

Having seen a porcini mushroom and taken it into a basket, do not rush to go far from this place. Look around carefully and see if there are any other boletus mushrooms nearby. Porcini mushrooms always grow in families. Sometimes in pine forests up to 19 porcini mushrooms were found in one place. In birch groves they sometimes form a family of 5–40 pieces.

In addition to trees, there are other noticeable details in nature that indicate the close proximity of the porcini mushroom. Red fly agaric, anthills and white grass are the most noticeable companions of the boletus mushroom.
Thus, having some knowledge, you can significantly increase the efficiency of searching for porcini mushrooms.

Elena Pozdnyakova