Referred to as one of the best tasting mushrooms in the world, morels have a nutty and earthy-like flavor enjoyed by many. Their rarity often difficult to find for those who are less experienced in the search for these gourmet goodies. Morels have a cone-shape and resemble a miniature Christmas tree its color ranging from a medium tan to a deep dark brown.
When it comes to the hunt for Morel mushrooms many find that picking the mushrooms directly from their habitat is the best way. Morels can be found mostly in the northern states from early April through mid May. And depending on whether you're love is for black or white morels will depend on where you'll want to start your search.
Black morel mushrooms can usually be found in hardwood forests depending on where the spores fall. Once you are able to find a black morel there will more than likely be more of them nearby.
White morel mushrooms can typically be found almost anywhere. Nearby elder and dying trees like apple, elm, pine, sycamore, cottonwood and ash are a few places to start. They may also be found around hedges, fences, railroad tracks, in fields and forests.
If you do decide to pick Morel mushrooms on your own, a word of caution, there are many mushrooms out there that look very similar to Morels, but can be very dangerous. Find someone who is familiar with picking morels if possible to go with you. Or if you live close by or are willing to drive a little ways, there are Morel Mushroom Festivals and Competitions spread all across the northern regions of the United States.
If you happen to be in the Kentucky area you might consider planning a visit to The Mountain Mushroom Festival held in Irving, Kentucky during the last weekend of April. The festival runs for two days and includes bluegrass and gospel music, arts and crafts, a car show, mushroom market and 5k race.
If you're going to be near Montana, The Richmond Annual Morel Mushroom Festival is held at the end of April through the beginning of May in Richmond Montana. A parade, carnival and over 100 food and craft booths complete the festivities. The town boasted of an estimated seven to ten thousand visitors last year and has even gone as far as including the popularity of their yearly morel hunt on the town sign.
Specific dates and times for the morel mushroom festivals can be found online or by contacting the city's chamber of commerce.
You can also purchase morels online if you prefer. Dried as well as fresh morels are available through many online stores. While fresh morels are only available during the mushroom's growing season, dried morels can be found year round. There are also online stores who have morel growing kits available for those interested in growing your own morel mushrooms.
You'll also find that there are many websites specifically dedicated to morels with tons of information ranging from where the mushrooms grow to how to find true and false morels. There's even a National Morel Mushroom Hunters Association and a Morel Mushroom Hunting Club for those interested.
