Black trumpet mushrooms have a waxy grey surface and are known as fragile and trumpet-shaped. This is a very rich and buttery mushroom, popular in French cuisine because of their unique flavor and texture. One up mushroom chocolate bar will have a unique fragrance which some people say smell like apricots. Black trumpet mushrooms are regarded as pretty gritty, and you really do want them as clean as you can get them. Be sure you pick over the mushrooms carefully and rinse if needed, then pat them dry and set in writing towels.

Although black trumpet mushrooms are delicious, they are also very little known. They are fragrant and fruity and go perfectly with fish or in cheddar cheese dishes. You can try them in a creamy soup or pasta sauce, risotto, or on pizza. As this mushroom type’s fruity, musky nature pairs up well with dairy or cheese dishes. Try placing the mushrooms in a skillet on medium heat, and then melt some butter and saut� the mushrooms 4 to 5 minutes. Next season with salt and pepper to taste, but do make sure to reserve a small couple of the mushrooms for some terrine, and finely chop the others.

Typically during the summer months in the Pacific Northwest is where you will discover wild black trumpet mushrooms growing. This kind of mushroom does not usually grow on wood, even though they are said to sometimes have a woody flavor. This mushroom kind has a trumpet-shaped cap that lengthens right down to the stalk. With a color ranging from deep red to light gray or nearly black, black trumpet mushrooms are respectable because of their unique and rich flavor. Coloring of the spore surface and stem can range from pale grey to a salmon color to nearly black with wrinkles or raised veins rather than gills. The cap and interior is normally darker, salmon brown to black and hollow top to bottom.

Black trumpet mushrooms are part of the chanterelle family and can commonly be referred to as “the poor mans truffle.” These mushrooms are usually sold dried rather than fresh. These mushrooms appear to be little trumpets (or vases if you prefer that image), which rings quite true to its name, and have a unique smoky flavor that even borders on buttery. These mushrooms can turn any basic dish into something spectacular. They are mostly sold in specialty markets to allow them to be hard to find if you are not used to searching for mushrooms. They can also be a bit on the pricey side; but slightly bit of these mushrooms will go quite a distance. These mushrooms are recognized for their added depth and woodsy aroma and work endlessly with cream sauces.

This type of mushroom is a perfect candidate for dried mushroom powder due to earthiness that ensues within the dehydration process. Dried mushrooms certainly are a delicious way to put in a vibrant and pleasant taste to vegetarian and vegan dishes. So as to black trumpets most always grow in synchronicity with some form of moss. And if you spray any kind of pesticide on your lawn to kill the moss that harbors these little mushrooms, there is no way you’ll find any black trumpets growing there in the future.

Black trumpets are pickable if they are at least 2-3 inches in height, but can sometimes grow up to six or seven inches tall. This sometimes resembles clusters of black or dark gray rabbit ears. Unlike any flavor, black trumpet mushrooms have a unique deep, delicious taste weather they are fresh or re-hydrated. These black trumpets are a true wild mushroom that is extremely difficult to cultivate. Thus, their arrival in markets and restaurants is restricted to their natural season.