General Information
Chanterelles are dense and meaty, edible, wild mushrooms ranging in color from orange to gold. They have wavy, fleshy caps with ruffled false gills that flare upward along the stem forming an abstract tulip. Their flavor is nutty, with an aroma of apricots or peaches. Entirely edible, the stem is chewier and more fibrous than the cap. The golden color which makes this mushroom distinct may be due to the levels of carotenoid pigments present, which are similar to those that color carrots.
History
Chanterelles thrive in forested areas of the United States, specifically along the West Coast, Canada, and in temperate forests around the world. In the Pacific Northwest, it fruits in the summer underneath conifers. The Chanterelle has resisted attempts to cultivate it and can only be found in the wild.
