How to know when your Lion’s Mane is too old to eat?
This is a very common question. Since this wild mushroom species prefers to fruit in colder weather, often during winter months, it is susceptible to being frozen. Generally this will not damage to mushroom beyond edibility. What first usually occurs is the long spines or teeth will turn brownish.
Almost always one found in this condition is completely salvageable and delicious. You just need to trim off the brown areas first. Once trimmed, slice open, smell it. As long as it doesn’t smell sour or spoiled, and as long it is not infested with worms or bugs, you are good to go.
Above: Example of one that is too far gone to eat…
Above: Notice the pink colored worms that appeared after slicing open…
Above: A fresh sliced open specimen showing pure white flesh.
Above: Examples of older but still edible specimens.
Above: Believe it or not, the top lion’s mane was totally fine, the bottom one after all brown trimmed off still had a nearly all-white flesh after being frozen hard for a few days. No bugs, still smelled fine, still edible.
Avoid soggy, buggy, smelly specimens. I have been able to salvage a few that had remained in the tree all winter long here in Georgia. If you are still not sure, then be safe and don’t eat it or take a photo and send it to me and let me take a look…
Happy Hunting!
-Chris Matherly
(Please Note- If you registered and paid for a 2020 foray postponed due to the pandemic, you are automatically included in on any 2023 foray and will be emailed the itineraries)
-Call Chris now to reserve your spots for the below 2023 morel forays! (478)217-5200
Register for 2023 Spring Morel Forays:
Please understand, the pandemic destroyed me and I am slowly trying to get things rolling again and back to normal. If you feel led to support my efforts and help cover costs that I am incurring, that would be awesome and greatly appreciated.
Zelle: chrismatherly@aol.com Cash App: $chrismatherly123 Paypal: chrismatherly1@yahoo.com Venmo: @chrismatherly1
2023 Georgia Morel Motherload Foray- March 31st-April 2nd, 2023
2023 Nashville, TN Morel Foray and Music Fest- April 7th-9th, 2023
2023 Oklahoma Morel Foray and Music Fest– April 14th-16th, 2023
2023 Missouri Morel Foray– April 21st-23rd, 2023
2023 Central Illinois Morel Motherload Foray– April 24th-26th, 2023
2023 Indiana Morel Foray– April 28th-30th, 2023
2023 Ohio Morel Foray– May 5th-7th, 2023
2023 Minnesota Morel Foray– May 12th-14th, 2023
2023 Michigan Morel Foray– May 19th-21st, 2023
2023 Oregon Morel Foray– May 26th-28th, 2023
2023 Washington State Burnsite and Naturals Morel and Porcini Foray early June, 2023
Planned 2023 Summer and Fall Forays: (email me if interested- chrismathe@aol.com)
2023 Gatlinburg Tennessee Summer Foray July, 2023
2023 Telluride Colorado Porcini Foray August, 2023
2023 Upper Peninsula Michigan Chaga and Porcini Foray August, 2023
2023 Fall Vermont Foray September, 2023
2023 Fall Minnesota Foray September, 2023
2023 NW Illinois Fall Foray October, 2023
2023 Ohio Fall Foray October, 2023
2023 Fall Brown County Indiana Foray October, 2023
(NEW) 2023 Baton Rouge, Louisiana Fall Mushroom Foray October, 2023
2023 Fall Knoxville Tennessee Foray November, 2023
2023 Georgia Fall Foray November, 2023
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California Fall/Winter Trumpets-Chanterelles-Porcini-Candy Caps Foray December, 2023
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Oregon Truffle Foray January, 2024
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California Winter Foray January, 2024
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Plan Now for some Exciting 2024 Forays:
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Morels in Greece March 2024
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Morels in Africa August 2024
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Porcini/Truffles in Italy September 2024
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Morels in Chile December 2024
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