All the thistle mushrooms they are the most popular edible mushrooms during the summer-fall. They are very easy to find, since they grow on the roots of herbaceous plants of the genus Eryngium, which are characterized by having thorny leaves and lilac flowers; so we will only have to look in the garden or in the field for these plants to find these fungus and delicious organisms.
But, how to know that we are really dealing with a thistle mushroom and not another type of mushroom? When is the best time to collect it? We are going to talk about all this and much more in this special.
Characteristics of thistle mushrooms
These mushrooms, whose scientific name is Pleurotus eryngii, are characterized by having a hemispherical hat when young, and later flattened, between 3 and 12cm in diameter. The color can vary quite a bit, from pale cream to dark brown. It has a cylindrical foot, white in color, and quite resistant, to the point that it is considered to be like an eraser. The meat is white, and gives off a pleasant smell.
To find them in habitat, you must go to a country in the Mediterranean basin. In Spain, for example, you can find them very easily in the fields and forests.
When and how are they collected?
Thistle mushrooms harvested in late summer or early fall, depending on the rains that have been in spring (the more humid this season has been, the sooner they will sprout). We will see them near the thistles of the genus Eryngium, from whose roots they feed. But it is important that you know that they do not inhabit large spaces, so you have to be very careful when picking them up.
Therefore, there are cut them from the base of the foot, and do not tear them off. In this way, the mycelium is kept intact, from which new mushrooms can emerge season after season. In case this is not done like this, we run the risk of running out of mushrooms.
Cultivation of thistle mushrooms
By concentrating on small corners, these mushrooms are often not available to everyone, since also the production year after year is not homogeneous. For this reason, and because it has a flavor that many people love, there are those who choose cultivate them. But it is not easy to get them. Still, if you want to try it, we will tell you how to do it:
First step - Obtain spores from specialized laboratories
If this is the first time you are going to grow mushrooms, the ideal is that you acquire spores from a specialized laboratory, since this way you can save a lot of work, since the mycelium would already be formed. These spores will come germinated in plastic bags or containers with substrate.
Second step - Locate them in the ideal area
Once you have your jar or plastic bag with the spores, you have to place them in a cool zone, with a mild temperature (between 10 and 2'C). The area must be bright, but without the sun's rays reaching directly. The humidity must be high, between 75 and 80%, so you should spray once a day.
Third step - Encourage the development of thistle mushrooms
After a maximum time of 15 days, the spores will hatch. At this time, you will have to reduce the ambient humidity by 10-15% to prevent bacteria from damaging them.
Step Four - Collection
After a few weeks of cultivation, the mushroom cap will begin to flatten, but without curving. Now is when you can collect them, trimming at the base of the foot, leaving the mycelium intact, so you can enjoy delicious new mushrooms again soon.
Uses
The thistle mushroom is used for its excellent and delicate flavor. It is very suitable for preparing a wide variety of dishes, for example combining it with meats (both red and blue), or even grilled.
Properties of thistle mushrooms
Did you know that they have very interesting properties? Yes yes indeed they are rich in proteins, minerals and vitamins. In addition, it is also used for being a antioxidant source, as flu, and also some study which reveals that it is capable of stimulating the cells that form bone, the osteoblasts. So you know, every time you eat some, you will also be keeping your health in excellent condition 😉.
Mushrooms are fungal organisms that appear in forests and fields around the world. Knowing them is essential to avoid problems, as there are many, such as the fly agaric, which can put our lives in danger. But this is not the case with thistle mushrooms, which with minimal care they can be grown at home.
What did you think of this special? Have you heard of these mushrooms? If in the end you dare to cultivate them, you will tell us how you have done 😉. Enjoy them!