Matsutake Mania

 Matsutake:
from the depth of the pine forest,
the voice of the hawk.
--Koya

Howdee all,

Its Matsutake season here in Oregon,,Matsutake means Pine Mushroom. The mushrooms smell wonderfully of pine and have a spicy taste.

Check out this Link for recipes and more information.

“Matsutake have been used and revered by the Japanese people for more than just a seasonal delicacy. They also symbolize fertility, and by extension, good fortune and happiness. A gift of matsutake is considered special and is cherished by those who receive it. “

We have had great luck finding Matsis in our secret area….A nice hike near the sand dunes..We find Matsis here every year we are here..

So lets go find some…..

Pass the sand dunes……. Thru the woods

Make sure you look closely..do you see the white mushrooms?

Look closer….

I found three beautiful number one buttons here…

    Another Matsutake growing in sand…

We always seem to find them near Pine and in sandy soil.

A beautiful number one button…the number ones are the small buds before the caps open…they are most prized.

The mushrooms when they are opened are still very tasty but do not get the high price of the buttons…

When we were collecting yesterday we met a commercial picker…He had about twenty pounds of number one mushrooms. He packed each precious mushroom in its own plastic bag to protect the veil..it the veil breaks the value goes down.

At the present time he sells his number ones for 24 dollars a pound…we estimated he made over three hundred dollars yesterday.

We had our own little bounty…I estimate we picked around five pounds.

I am drying most of them, though freezing is the best method,I have limited freezer room…so drying was the best method for me.

  

 

Please remember you must know what you are doing when you pick mushrooms..

Your first bite..could be your last.