Hygrophorus

The unusual name hygrophorus is characteristic of the genus of lamellar fungi from the Hygrophorus family. It includes mushrooms, the fruit bodies of which are distinguished by medium (rarely large) size and mucous caps of a convex shape of not particularly bright or whitish color.

The diameter of the hygrophore cap varies between 4-10 centimeters, the mucous membrane, and a characteristic tubercle is often present on it. The pale color of the mushrooms of this family is represented by shades of white, gray, and sometimes olive, yellow and red.

The cylindrical leg of hygrophores is distinguished by its density and the presence of mucus on the surface, it is the same color with a hat. White, much less often pink or yellow plates in hygrophores are thick, rare, waxy and descending. Spore powder in this genus of mushrooms is white.

From August to November - the season of this fungus, when different species of hygrophores are found in broad-leaved and mixed forests. As a rule, this fungus grows in regions characterized by a temperate, warm climate. Most often, hygrophorus can be found under beech or oak, as well as on calcareous soils.

It is noteworthy that the genus Hygrophorus has about forty species, many of which were assigned to the genus Hygrocibe some time ago. In our country, the largest distribution belongs to the olive-white hygrophore, the late hygrophore and the damp hygrophore.

The yellowish-white hygrophore, for example, is characterized by the species name eburneus, which from Latin literally means "ivory colors. " Moreover, this is completely by chance: it is the milk color that is the hallmark of this representative of the mushroom kingdom. People also call it very peculiar - "wax ivory hat" or "cowboy handkerchief. " The yellowish-white hygrophore is most widespread in North America, North Africa and European countries.

It is worth noting that hygrophores are considered a little-known genus of mushrooms and are not as widespread as other types of edible mushrooms. Nevertheless, this nondescript mushroom is quite suitable for consumption. As a rule, hygrophore is usually used in cooking in fried form, as well as salted and pickled. In China, for example, a special drink based on yak milk is popular, in which this rare mushroom is added.

Before subjecting the hygrophore to culinary treatment, it is recommended to remove the mucous skin, which is due to the feature of such mushrooms, which is the hostility of some people to this specific part of the product.