Chanterelles are recognized queen of the forest; these mushrooms are considered delicious not only in modern times. Their nutritional value, special properties have been recognized since the times of Ancient Rome, and studies conducted in the past and present centuries have clearly demonstrated the exceptional nature of the red fruit bodies recognized by each mushroom picker. They are not only nutritious, but also have medicinal properties, and you can find chanterelles almost everywhere.
There are many interesting facts that can be told about mushrooms of this species. The story is worth starting with just their useful properties.
Useful composition of chanterelles
The main wealth of chanterelles is vitamins. They are rich in minerals like no other mushroom. In its color, the fruit body resembles carrots, and indeed, a certain similarity is found even in the composition. Both products are almost equal in vitamin A content, which allows the use of those mentioned to improve the condition of bones and skin, and to strengthen immunity. Still chanterelles are rich in vitamin C, which is contained almost like in citrus fruits. It also strengthens the immune system, is one of the basic for the human body.
Zinc and copper in the composition of the fruiting bodies provide an improvement in blood-forming functions. Other microelements are present in the composition, contributing to the improvement of brain activity, strengthening the heart, cleansing the lungs. Chanterelles are useful even for sight.
Unpretentious mushrooms - chanterelles
The orange mushroom grows not only in Europe, it is present even in the Himalayas, Africa and South America. The largest chanterelles grow in California, whose weight reaches 0.5 kg per fruit body, in Russia there are no such giants. A typical European or Russian version is presented with a hat, which has a diameter of 2-8 cm. The hat is on a small leg, the color of which corresponds to the general shade of the fruit body. Perhaps the small size of the mushrooms is related to the climate, although the resistance of this type of mushroom to temperature extremes and weather conditions is surprising.
So, in most countries of Europe they are collected before the first frosts, which usually occur in November, sometimes in October. However, in Latvia in 2013, a man found a flock of mushrooms right under a Christmas tree, which he was going to cut down for Christmas - it was already December in the yard. In moderately warm weather, they really grow almost until winter, scientists have recorded cases of their detection even in January.
However, a rare mushroom picker will go with a basket to the forest in winter, they are harvested for the cold period. They do not recommend freezing orange fruiting bodies; they will become bitterness when thawed. Bitterness will have to be removed by boiling in milk, frying in butter. Ideally, chanterelles should be dried, and if we talk about medicines and cosmetics that are made from this variety of mushrooms, it makes sense to process them immediately, fresh, or make tinctures.
Why has no one seen wormy chanterelles, and what else is unique in these mushrooms?
In the composition of the fruiting bodies there is a substance of quinomannosis, which provides protection against parasitic insects. In the chanterelles, pests never really start, and they cannot be worms - due to its presence. Helminths that live in the digestive system also die when exposed to such a tool. However, hinomannose is destroyed both by salt and by a temperature above 50 degrees, because only tinctures on chanterelles can help against helminths. But forest animals calmly eat them raw to remove parasites from the body.
In addition, other facts about the mushroom should be noted:
- Ergosterol is another unique substance found in chanterelles. It is able to cleanse the liver, affect its enzymes;
- They also have trametonolinic acid, which saves from hepatitis;
- They are used even in Chinese medicine.
Chanterelles have not been known to mankind for the first millennium, useful properties also did not remain a secret centuries ago - they were treated, they were simultaneously considered a delicacy and served on the table of noble persons. Today, scientists were able to study the beneficial properties of the fungus even more. It is really useful, has unique properties. Just eat it at night is not worth it, like other types of mushrooms, because it is heavy food that burdens the stomach.
