Spotting Gold: Identifying the Elusive Chicken of the Woods

The Chicken of the Woods is a very popular edible mushroom that is easy to identify and can be found in the late summer to early fall. It has a distinct yellow sulphur like coloration on the underside and grows on hardwood logs like Oaks. It is a polypore species, meaning it doesn’t have gills like its toxic look a like, the Jack o Lantern Mushroom. It can produce mushrooms up to 25 pounds and is a shelf growing mushroom, meaning it grows in a shelf like pattern.

When foraging for the Chicken of the Woods, it’s important to be sure you have identified the mushroom correctly. It is important to note that there are a few look a likes that are toxic, such as the Jack o Lantern Mushroom and Big Laughing Jim. It’s also important to note that the Chicken of the Woods can have a white underside instead of the yellow sulphur like underside.

When preparing the Chicken of the Woods, it is important to note that it should be cooked before consuming. It can be cooked in a variety of ways, such as sautéed, grilled, or even fried. It is also important to note that it can be stored for up to two weeks in the refrigerator or frozen for up to six months.

The Chicken of the Woods is a popular edible mushroom that is easy to identify and can be found in the late summer to early fall. It is important to be sure you have identified the mushroom correctly before consuming and to cook it before eating. It can be cooked in a variety of ways and stored for up to two weeks in the refrigerator or frozen for up to six months.