They grow in hardwood forests in damp areas – look for areas covered in moss.Īnother type to look after in Florida is the Cinnabar Chanterelles (Cantharellus cinnabarinus), these are colored deep red and are just as edible and tasty as its golden sibling!Ĭap and Underside – Irregularly convex and funnel shaped. Once exclusively eaten by French nobility before becoming common in most kitchens in Europe, chanterelles, also known as the “ Golden Chanterelles,” are the most well known wild mushroom and one of the easiest to identify – if not by their funnel-shaped cap then by their fruity perfumed scent. The slices can also be dried out and later added to a dish to unleash a rich savory flavor.Ĭhanterelles (Cantharellus cibarius) Photo by Björn S. Slice the mushrooms and add them as a topping from salads to pizza and pasta. It is highly recommended to dry the cap as it concentrates the flavor and removes the slightly bitter taste.Ĭooking Suggestion – One of the few mushrooms that can be safely eaten raw! However, be wary of bugs. Taste and Consistency – Meaty, crunchy with a nutty flavor, and creamy when cooked. There is an exception to this rule – the bicolor bolete, but it’s best to chuck it to be safe. Inedible boletes have bright red, deep orange, or red pores, and bleed blue when bruised or cut. These can lead to digestive issues if eaten. Toxic Look-Alikes – While many boletes are edible, only a few are recognized as toxic. Stem – Club shaped with a net-shaped pattern. Note that there is dispute as to whether the King can be found in Florida, though many local Floridians and bloggers, including The Bolete Filter website have identified them in the Florida region.Ĭap and Underside – Convex. However, while there are a variety of boletes found in Florida such as the soapy tasting Ruby Bolete (Hortiboletus rubellus) and the citrus-like Butyriboletus Floridanus, the king is much easier to identify for a newbie. They are dense-fleshed with no gills and a sponge-like undercap. This type of bolete grows in hardwood forests near spruce or hemlock, and particularly on Oakwood. The most famous culinary mushroom, the bolete is also known as the porcini mushroom or the Penny Bun. King Bolete (Boletus Edulis) Photo by Strobilomyces NEVER EAT A MUSHROOM YOU IDENTIFY SOLELY FROM ONLINE PICTURES. THIS GUIDE IS MEANT TO BE A CURSORY GLANCE AT EDIBLE FLORIDA MUSHROOMS. WARNING – DO NOT EAT ANYTHING YOU CANNOT 100% IDENTIFY – CONSULT WITH LOCAL EXPERTS BEFORE CONSUMING ANYTHING I MENTION.

Look for strips, striations, rings, and protrusions. Underside of Cap – Look for pores, spines/teeth, gill-like ridges, and tubes.Season – The time of year you can find them.Here are some brief guidelines when identifying a mushroom: What other hobby allows you to explore nature, get fresh air and exercise, and pick free food off the floor? Mycophagist enjoy all these benefits while becoming well-educated about nature and forming intimate knowledge of their local wilderness. Of the 10,000 known types of mushrooms, about 270 can be found right here in Florida! Here is your quick introduction to a few tasty edible mushrooms you can easily identify in the Sunshine state. Become a fungivore with a brief look at edible mushrooms in Florida

Indigo milk cap cooking