FNH-00020 UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS Collecting, Preserving & Using Morel Mushrooms Field Identification of Morel Mushrooms • They are not found in overly boggy There are a number of different species and varieties areas. of edible wild morels. Harvesters must be diligent about identification. Consulting a number of up-to- • The air date mushroom guides, such as Nancy Smith Weber’s temperature will A Morel Hunter’s Companion, is strongly advised. If typically be 60° you are suspicious about the identity of a harvested to 70°F, with species, separate it into a different container from overnight lows at your morels and have it examined in more detail by 45°F and above. a mycologist or, if you plan to sell them, at a buying • Mid-June until Photo by Trish Wurtz station. mid- to late-July is the best time for picking morels in Interior Alaska. Beginners should always pick with an experienced person. Experimental • When the bluebells are blooming is a good time consumption of unknown species is not to look for morels. recommended and could be lethal. Morels can be found in abundance during spring in MushroomExpert.com offers some fundamental rules forest areas burned the preceding summer. Prolifer- when it comes to picking mushrooms, but it is no ous fruiting (or flushing) of the mushroom bodies substitute for a reputable field guide to mushroom happens during a two- to three-week period, usually identification. Visit www.mushroomexpert.com/ during June in Alaska, following the retreat of winter morchellaceae.html for more information on morels. snow and a period of warm weather. Morels prefer The publication, Harvesting Morels after Wildfire in the southern aspects of well-drained slopes and will Alaska, is another resource that can be used to distin- occur in concentration around the base of coniferous guish edible morels from false morels. It is the only trees. Patches of morels may occur where small de- publication that specifically deals with Alaska fungi pressions have retained soil moisture. that fruit while morels are fruiting. It may be down- loaded from USDA Forest Service at www.fs.fed.us/ Proper identification and determining whether pnw/pubs/ pnw_rn546.pdf. a mushroom is edible is the responsibility of the harvester. Many forest mushroom varieties are poisonous. There are many guidebooks Habitat — Where to Find Morels available to assist with identification. When in • Morels tend to show up the year after forest fires doubt, leave it in the forest. in conifer and hardwood forests. • They appear above ground when conditions are Sustainable Harvesting Methods warm and wet. By practicing proper harvesting techniques, pickers • They grow directly on the soil and prefer highly will get the best possible recovery of mushrooms organic soils. year after year. Pickers will also be protecting the mo- All containers used in the collection, processing and Nutrition and Health storing of mushrooms must be food grade. Food- Morels contain fiber as well as some protein and un- grade containers will not transfer noxious or toxic saturated fat, but the complete nutrient information is substances to the contents, provided they are new unknown. Nutritional value, flavor and aroma of mo- or have only been used for food. Generally speaking, rels are affected by conditions where they grow. these containers are sold with the intent of storing food or will have originally contained commercial- Although morel mushrooms are edible, they have ly bought food. Department stores, grocery stores been known to cause allergic reactions and gastro- and restaurant supply companies are good sources for unused, food-grade containers. The only metal intestinal upset. Combining morels with alcohol can that should be used for containers or drying racks compound this. When small amounts are eaten at one is stainless steel in order to avoid metal poisoning. time, they are not likely to be harmful for most peo- ple. Morels should be fully cooked before being eaten. rel fungus, which produces the edible fruit body, and Selection they will be protecting the site that supports it. Try not to disturb the forest floor in the vicinity of morels. Proper identification of an edible mushroom is the re- This could harm the mycelium, which produces the sponsibility of the harvester. Many forest mushroom mushroom. Do not dig, rake or scrape the forest floor. varieties are poisonous. Guidebooks are available to Taking good care of mushroom sites while harvesting assist with identification. When in doubt, leave it in is the best way to ensure abundant crops of morels in the forest. Mushrooms should smell fresh and earthy. the future. Those with soft spots or bruising should not be picked Never “clear cut” a patch of morels. Close observa- Storage tion will show that some of the specimens may be • Wipe mushrooms gently with a damp cloth or soft either too mature or too small to harvest. Harvest brush to remove dirt, debris and insects. healthy specimens. If you plan to sell them, buyers • Refrigerate debugged mushrooms between 34 will provide size specifications. If pickers harvest and degrees and 35 degrees F. Wrap them in a paper carry specimens that are not acceptable to the buying bag or waxed paper. Nonporous plastic bags are station, they will have wasted energy and will not be not the best choice as plastic accelerates mushroom reimbursed. Leaving unacceptable morels in the forest deterioration. Optimum humidity for refrigerator allows the spores to reproduce and the soil to benefit storage is 85 to 90 percent, which also helps from decomposing fungi. maintain quality and shelf life. • Do not wash morels before storage. Mushrooms Never pull the mushroom out of the ground by hand. absorb water and the additional water will hasten Always cut off the morel cap at the top of the stem deterioration. with a sharp knife. If you also harvest the stems, you • Mushrooms may absorb odors if stored near foods may be asked to cut them off at the buying station as like onions. European buyers are only interested in the caps. • Refrigerated, fresh mushrooms will keep for two to To ensure quality and avoid health risks for the con- three days. For longer storage, mushrooms should sumers of your morels, never spray insect repellent in be frozen or dried. the vicinity of your mushrooms, and do not use any • There is no need to peel mushrooms. Trim and chemicals on the palm of your hands. discard any portions of the mushrooms that are discolored or infested with insects or maggots. Morel mushrooms are difficult to see since they tend to blend in visually with the forest floor. Move slowly Freezing Morels at first. Let your eyes adapt gradually to the subtle Preparation: Choose mushrooms free from spots varieties of hue on the forest floor. Taking time to do and decay. Sort them according to size. Rinse in cold this initially will allow you to be more efficient later water. Shake gently to remove excess water. Trim in distinguishing a morel worth cutting from a morel ends of stems. If morels are larger than 1 inch across, worth leaving. slice them or cut them into quarters. 2 Prepare mushrooms for freezing by steaming, blanch- If using a convection or conventional oven, tempera- ing or sautéing to inactivate enzymes that can cause ture readings must go as low as 140°F. If your oven color and texture deterioration. Steamed mushrooms cannot go this low, your food will cook instead of will keep longer than those heated in fat. Freezing dry. An oven thermometer can be used to check the raw mushrooms is not recommended since they do temperature. not keep well and may develop a bitter taste. Dust- ing raw morels with flour before freezing results in a Drying times will vary according to conditions. Usu- gummy texture and is not recommended. ally it takes 8-10 hours in a dehydrator and longer with other methods. Check the manufacturer’s di- To steam: Use a pot with a tight lid and a basket that rections for recommended temperature settings and holds the food 3 inches above the bottom of the pot. approximate drying times if you are using a commer- Put 1-2 inches of water into pot and add 1 teaspoon cially purchased dehydrator. lemon juice per pint of water; bring to a boil. Add morels to basket in a single layer and place in pot. Use only stainless steel or plastic screens for drying. Cover. Steam 5 minutes. Remove morels and cool Other metals are not acceptable surfaces for drying. promptly. Package in freezer containers, leaving ½ Screens and racks must be carefully cleaned as mush- inch headspace. Seal, label and freeze. rooms leave a film that may cause mold to develop. To blanch: Bring water to a boil. Add 1 teaspoon Storing dried mushrooms: Store in airtight, food- lemon juice per pint of water. Add morels to the grade containers. Dried mushrooms will keep up to boiling water and bring water back to boil. Boil 3 three months at room temperatures and longer in the minutes. Remove morels from water and drain. Cool freezer. Cook morel mushrooms thoroughly before promptly then package in freezer containers, leaving eating. ½ inch headspace. Seal, label and freeze. Reconstituting dried morels: To sauté: Follow the recipe on the back page for • Pour boiling water over dried mushrooms and sautéed mushrooms. Cool, then package in freezer simmer 20-30 minutes or until they have returned containers, leaving ½ inch headspace. Seal, label and to their original shape. Use a ratio of one part freeze. mushrooms to three parts water. Use as specified. • Add dried mushrooms to a product with lots of Drying Morels liquid, such as soup.