Chanterelle mushrooms are one of our most common edible mushrooms. It is just as good for the evening sandwich or as a garnish when you want to impress your dinner guests. Butter-fried chanterelles are well known here in Sweden, but why not try them in a pie or a casserole?
Girolle small
These small chubby chanterelles are sold to renowned restaurants and are usually served as decorations. Therefore, these have a high demand on them when purchased, but also keep a high purchase price.
The chanterelles should be small & chubby. The cap should be rolled up and not started to unfold. The mushrooms should have a maximum size of 25x25mm (see picture). They should also be bright yellow, not dry or brown.
Planting site
Chanterelles thrive in both deciduous and coniferous forests and are commonly found throughout the country, perhaps in smaller quantities in the north. Chanterelles are particularly fond of birch, so there are definitely opportunities to find good chanterelle sites even in mixed forests.
Seasonal
The season lasts a good year from June-July to October-November if the frosts are not too intense. Summer chanterelles can be seen along the paths already in June, although it may seem too early.
How do I recognize a chanterelle?
The mushroom is completely solid and firm, which distinguishes it from the confusingly named jester’s chanterelle. It can look almost anything but always has ridges under the cap (see picture). The cap is usually slightly dented and uneven. Otherwise, it is the light and the location that determine how the chanterelle has formed and grown.
Special instructions for picking chanterelles
When picking chanterelles, cut off the base and gently brush off any loose dirt. If you pick a lot, try to distribute the mushrooms in different baskets so that the mushrooms on the bottom do not become mush. To achieve the maximum bonus on chanterelles, you should be careful with the selection, ie which mushrooms you pick. Avoid dried chanterelles, brown edges and water-saturated chanterelles. Dry-damaged ones feel & look like rubber, rotten chanterelles get brown edges and water-saturated chanterelles get sloppy, and fall apart when you touch it and almost remind you of having a wet dishcloth in your hand. These mushrooms will lower the impression of the mushroom and will then give a lower bonus, or not be purchased at all.
Chanterelles & Lookalike mushrooms
The jester chanterelle may look just like a chanterelle from a distance, but if you pick the mushroom there are easy ways to recognize it. A chanterelle is solid at the base, while the jester has a hole up the stalk. The fool’s chanterelle is also not as solid in its foot as the common one, but it is softer & narrower. It also has a different color that is slightly more orange, it is well visible if you look under the hat. Another rule of thumb is that if you can “flip” the slices on the underside, then it is a fool. The ridges of the chanterelle are part of the hat that cannot be moved with your fingers.
What to look out for when walking in the forest
Just like in tall grass, ticks thrive in the forest. It’s a good idea to check your clothes regularly and take a good look if you feel any crawling. Tick bites are not necessarily dangerous, but you are encouraged to keep an eye on tick bites so that you do not get symptoms of, for example, Lyme disease or TBE.
Pictures of bad specimens.
Do not pick low quality specimens. This will significantly reduce the price per kilo of your harvest and add unnecessary weight to your baskets. Brown edges, floppy chanterelles & dried chanterelles will reduce the price per kilo.
