Cantharellus cinnabarinus Fire Chanterelle

(Cantharellus cinnabarinus) Fire Chanterelle

  • Photos
  • Growth
  • Videos
  • Description
  • Edibility
  • Similar Species/ Variations
  • Look Alikes
  • Medicinal Info
  • Drying and Freezing
  • Recipes
  • References

Photos:

Albino:

Postage Stamp:

Size/Growth:   

This species is much smaller than other chanterelles and starts as a tiny pin of fire orange fading slightly as it grows for about 20 days not reaching over 1.5″ in diameter.

Videos:

Description:

Cantharellus cinnabarinus is a fungus native to eastern North America. It is a member of the genus Cantharellus along with other chanterelles. It is named after its red color, which is imparted by the carotenoid canthaxanthin. It is edible, fruiting in association with hardwood trees in the summer and fall. Cantharellus cinnabarinus is a fungus native to eastern North America. It is a member of the genus Cantharellus along with other chanterelles.

Edibility:

Edible and choice and also has a slight spicy flavor which is unique among other chanterelles.

Similar Species:

One similar species which grows larger and has a fatter stem is found in Texas and Florida named Cantharellus texensis. One other species even brighter in color occurs in Puerto Rico Cantharellus coccolobae.

Look Alikes:

Hygrocybe cantharellus:(not toxic)

Medicinal?

Unknown.

Drying and Freezing:

Since the mushrooms hold a lot of water, they are often prepared using a “dry sauté” method: after cleaning, the mushrooms are sliced and put in a covered pan over high heat with no oil or butter. The mushrooms then release much of their water, which can be allowed to boil off or be poured off and used as a stock. Many people often cook the mushrooms with butter because it “sweetens” them. Chanterelles can also be pickled in brine. Salted water is brought to a boil and pickling spices such as peppercorns, mustard seeds, and thyme are added. The mushrooms are then cooked in this solution for 5–10 minutes before being transferred to sterilized bottles along with some of the liquid. Sliced garlic and dill can be added to the bottles for extra flavor. The remaining liquid forms an excellent stock for making soup. When pickled in this way, chanterelles can last from six to twelve months. Another storage technique is drying. Mushrooms can be dried with gentle heat in an oven at temperatures of 65 °C (149 °F) or less. A vacuum process is also practical on large orders. A few hours before final preparation, put dry mushrooms in water which they absorb for returning to nearly original size. Mushrooms can then be used as fresh, and will last indefinitely as dry. Fresh chanterelles can generally be stored up to ten days in a refrigerator. Chanterelles are also well-suited for drying, and tend to maintain their aroma and consistency quite well. Some chefs profess that reconstituted chanterelles are actually superior in flavor to fresh ones, though they lose in texture whatever they gain in flavor by becoming more chewy after being preserved by drying. Dried chanterelles can also be crushed into flour and used in seasoning in soups or sauces. Chanterelles are also suitable for freezing, though older frozen chanterelles can often develop a slightly bitter taste after thawing.

Recipes:

Cheesy Cinnabar Chanterelle Stuffed Zucchini Boats

References:

https://www.mushroomexpert.com/cantharellus_cinnabarinus.html