Content
The yellow horned is a conditionally edible mushroom that resembles a coral. It can be found in forests in temperate climates. The young fruiting bodies of this mushroom variety have a pleasant taste and properties that are beneficial to humans. Mature representatives are bitter, they are not used for food.
Where do the yellow horns grow
Horny yellow (Latin Ramaria flava) - representatives of the genus Ramaria, the Gomfov family. Synonymously they are called: Ramaria yellow, Deer horns, Bear's paw, Mushroom noodles, Yellow coral.
In Russia, the yellow horn is found in the Caucasus, Crimea, Karelia. It is also common in Finland. Wet, clayey, moss-covered soils are preferred for it. This mushroom grows abundantly in areas with a temperate climate, in the forests of the foothill and mountain zones:
- conifers, fir and pine;
- deciduous, with a predominance of beech, oak, hornbeam;
- mixed fir and beech.
Reindeer horns rarely and rarely bear fruit, from July to October. The favorable temperature for their development is 12 - 20 0C. This species grows singly or in groups forming arcs or rows.
What do the yellow slingshots look like
Outwardly, horned yellows are similar to sea corals. Their surface is dry and matt. Multiple dense cylindrical branches extend from the thick leg. They are almost the same length and terminate in two blunt vertices with truncated edges. The moist pulp turns reddish when pressed. In mature specimens, its texture is dense, and the twigs have a bitter taste.
The leg of this type of ramaria is 8 cm high and 4 - 5 cm in diameter. It is colored in the range of the whole mushroom, but brightens towards the base. The flesh of the leg is dense, with a grayish tinge.
The color of the fruit bodies varies, depending on the degree of maturity and habitat. Mushrooms come in all shades of yellow: apricot, orange, ocher, cream. Under the branches near the leg, they are painted in a gray-yellow tone.
An ocher-yellow spore powder forms on the outer surfaces of the slingshot. Spores are oval and rough.
The dimensions of the deer horns are impressive: the height is 15 - 20 cm, the diameter is 10 - 15 cm. The weight of one specimen can reach 2 - 3 kg.
Is it possible to eat yellow horns
Reindeer horns are conditionally edible mushrooms. Young fruit bodies are eaten. The pulp of adult specimens is very bitter, therefore, does not represent gastronomic value: yellow ramaria belongs to the 4th category. In cooking, this mushroom is used only after preliminary boiling.
Taste qualities of the yellow horned mushroom
The taste characteristics of deer horns are ambiguous. It all depends on the place of growth and the degree of maturity of the fruit bodies:
- Young specimens have a pleasant light mushroom aroma, diluted with the smell of grass. The cooked pulp, depending on the method of processing, may resemble chicken breast or shrimp in its delicate taste.
- The mature fruit bodies of the slingshot are unpleasant to chew because of their tough and at the same time loose texture. The taste of the pulp is bitter, pungent, with a sour tinge. Because of this, it is impossible to eat it.
Benefits and harm to the body
Fruit bodies of yellow ramaria contain sterol, lipids, vegetable protein, amino acids. Thanks to this composition, they have a beneficial effect on the human body, which contributes to:
- elimination of toxins and neutralization of free radicals, which serves as the prevention of skin aging;
- increased immunity;
- strengthening the walls of blood vessels and preventing thrombosis;
- normalization of the psycho-emotional state;
- reducing the likelihood of cancer;
- improving the functioning of the respiratory system.
The negative effect of these fungi can manifest itself in disruption of the gastrointestinal tract and the appearance of allergic reactions. It is dangerous to eat ramaria yellow for pregnant and lactating women, elderly people, as well as those suffering from diseases of the digestive system.
False doubles of yellow ramaria
Some mushrooms have an external resemblance to yellow ramaria. Among the twins, there are both edible and inedible varieties:
- The beautiful horned (Ramaria formosa) is an inedible mushroom. The height of its fruiting body is not more than 20 cm. The color of the surface contains pink, white and lemon shades.
- Golden Ramaria (Ramaria aurea) is classified as conditionally edible. The differences between it and the yellow horn are visible only under a microscope.
- Blunted Ramaria (Ramaria obtusissima) is an inedible, very bitter-tasting species that grows in mixed forests in the Far East and Siberia, where oaks and firs are present. The branches of its fruiting body have rounded ends.
- Calócera viscósa is the poisonous counterpart of yellow ramaria. It can be distinguished by its dense jelly-like pulp and bright egg-yellow color. It grows on tree trunks and stumps that have fallen to the ground.
Collection rules
When collecting a yellow slingshot, it is recommended to adhere to the following rules:
- You should not pick mushrooms that grow on stumps or dead wood. It can be the poisonous counterpart of deer horns - sticky calocera.
- Only young specimens are cut, because mature ones are unusable.Advice! Yellow adult horned horns are more vividly pigmented than young ones.
- The soil around the mushrooms cannot be stirred up - this destroys the mycelium.
- Fruit bodies can be conveniently stored in wicker baskets. They can wrinkle in a bag or bucket.
How to cook yellow ramaria
In cooking, yellow ramaria is used to prepare mushroom soups, sauces, snacks, and also as an independent dish. Fruit bodies are usually not canned or pickled. It is allowed to store these mushrooms for a long time only in a salted form.
To properly prepare yellow ramaria for use, you must:
- Thoroughly rinse the fruiting body under running water: due to the nature of the structure, dirt can clog between the branches.
- Boil mushrooms in boiling water for 30 minutes. It is forbidden to use the broth.
- The pre-heat treated Rogatic must be rinsed again under running water.
- Then boil the ramaria again for 10 minutes.
- Rinse the mushroom again under running water.
Spicy Coral is one of the savory slingshot of yellow recipes. To prepare this dish, you will need:
- boiled and washed slingshots - 500 g;
- red onion - 1 head;
- green onions - 1 bunch;
- garlic - 2 - 3 cloves;
- soy sauce to taste;
- vegetable oil for frying.
This appetizer is prepared in the following sequence. Prepared mushrooms are divided into fibers. Cut the red onion into half rings, cut the garlic into small cubes. Green onions are cut at an angle into slices 5 - 6 mm wide. Fry red onions and mushrooms for 5 minutes. in a little oil in a well-heated frying pan. Then soy sauce is poured into it, covered with a lid and stewed for 7 - 10 minutes. Remove the dish from heat, add garlic and green onions, let it brew for 5 minutes. Slingshots prepared according to this recipe are served cold or hot.
Another recipe for making pasta with slingshots and sausages is presented in the video:
Conclusion
Horned beetle yellow is almost never found in the Central zone of Russia. Its branched fruiting bodies can be found in mountain and foothill forests. Young representatives of the species are eaten. Useful properties of the product make it possible to use it in folk medicine and cosmetology. Collect this variety with caution: it has poisonous counterparts.
