When it comes to ranking mushrooms that are unique and interesting looking, the Black Morel mushroom would make the list.
They’re also among the more diverse types of fungus, with different variations within the morel species and Black Morels specifically.
In fact, DNA studies are now classifying different species within the Black Morel family, and even differentiating between those species depending on their location, with different continents displaying different species.
But whatever the scientific name and classification given to the Black Morel mushroom, the fact remains that it’s distinctive in appearance and taste, and beneficial to your health.
Let’s look at the 4 key facts behind the Black Morel Mushroom.
1. What is a Black Morel Mushroom?
The Black Morel has various species found around the globe, although it isn’t always easy to identify the biologically distinct category. Mushroom hunters will usually differentiate morels by color. But recent DNA work has shown there are more than a dozen distinct groups of morels in North America, and over 60 across the globe.
The easiest way to classify morels remains to group them by color: the most common yellow morels (Morchella esculenta), black morels (Morchella elata being one), and white morels (Morchella rufobrunnea and Morchella anatolica).
There are dozens of individual species within the black and yellow groups alone, and some are found on specific continents and regions. The North American black morel is thought to be distinct from those found in Europe.
That has given rise to different genus descriptions of black morels, such as Morchella angusticeps, and Morchella septentrionalis.
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2. Where do you find Black Morel Mushrooms?
Morels are sought and found by foragers, who celebrate these tasty fungus when they come across them in the forest. The morel is the state mushroom of Minnesota.
The more common yellow morels are usually associated with broadleaf trees, but the Black Morel may be associated more with conifer trees. While less common, the Black Morel fruits from March to June and is found in woods and forests, particularly beside woodland tracks. It’s also common in wood mulch, such as in gardens where bark mulch is used to combat weeds.
In Minnesota, for instance, the Black Morel can be found in stands of aspen trees, as opposed to growing on decaying matter. But they also grow in disturbed areas like burned forests. In Missouri, they are found on the ground in deciduous woods as well as in recently burned and other disturbed areas.
Morels look like they are placed on a pedestal, with a honeycomb cap. Black morels are usually distinguished from their yellow cousins by the dark ridges and light pits of the honeycomb.
As with any mushroom, it’s best to seek advice from a local expert if found in the wild, to be sure you haven’t found a poisonous lookalike. And while morels are tasty, it’s best to thoroughly cook them before eating.
3. What are the Health Benefits of the Black Morel Mushroom?
Morels in general are among the most desirable wild mushrooms. The fact they are edible, taste great, and have a short fruiting season, make them a favorite of foragers. They are also harvested commercially, although they are difficult to cultivate.
There are recent studies that are also displaying their health benefits. For instance, the polysaccharides from the Morchella species seem to have both antioxidant and antitumor properties. Antioxidants may help protect against free radicals, which can play a role in heart disease, cancer and other ailments.
As with other mushrooms, the bioactive components of Morchella also show anti-inflammatory activities. And, other studies have found that the Morchella provides immunostimulatory activity, boosting the health of the immune system.
Along with all mushrooms, they are low in fat, high in fiber, and rich in vitamins and minerals. Mushrooms play a key role in our forest ecosystems as well, breaking down dead material and providing nourishment.
To enjoy these health benefits or if you are looking for morels to cook with check out these products on Amazon.
For Cooking
Premium Wild Dried Canadian Morel Mushrooms By Golden Tea Leaf – Picked from the mid June 2020 onward during western Canada morel season, these morels are hand picked, dried, sorted and packed.
For Growing
Morel Mushroom Spore Growing Kit 3 Pack – An easy to use growing kit for 5 different varieties of morels (including black morels) with step by step instructions perfect for beginners or any mushroom enthusiast.
4. How Do You Cook Black Morels?
As mentioned, it’s a good idea to cook morels before eating them. If you have found them in the wild, wash or even soak them to ensure they don’t have any insects inside, and then let them dry thoroughly before cooking.
You can slice them if you like, particularly the large ones, but you can also leave them whole. Since they are hollow, with a honeycomb exterior, they are ideal for “holding” a sauce. As such, you can simply sauté them in butter, or prepare them by rolling them in crumbs and deep-frying them.
However, their flavor and texture make them perfect as a base for a cream sauce, such as the one below, which can be served over pork or chicken, or noodles or rice.
Black Morel Mushroom Cream Sauce Recipe
Adapted from Slow Burning Passion
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of Black Morel mushrooms
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 finely chopped onion
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon, chopped
- Fresh ground pepper to taste
- ¼ cup Sherry
- 1 cup cream
- 1 tablespoon flour
Directions:
- Clean mushrooms, and slice or leave whole, depending on your preference.
- Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add the morels and sauté until tender and just beginning to brown (about 6 – 8 minutes).
- Remove mushrooms from the skillet and set aside.
- Add the onion and the butter to the skillet. Sauté the onions until soft and translucent.
- Add the tarragon and pepper and cook a few minutes more.
- Deglaze with the sherry. Continue cooking until sherry is reduced by half.
- Add the cream and the mushrooms. Cook until cream sauce bubbles and is reduced by about a third.
- Sprinkle the flour on top and stir to incorporate. Continue simmering until sauce thickens.
- Serve and enjoy!
Final Thoughts
Science continues to explore the Black Morel mushroom, identifying new members of this unique species. As a morel, this fungus is sought after by mushroom foragers, who enjoy its flavor and texture fresh from the forest floor.
Science and medicine also continue to explore the health benefits of the morel species, including the Black Morel.
So however you cook and enjoy the Black Morel mushroom, it’s worth adding to your table tonight.
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6678217/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6106076/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morchella_elata
https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/black-morel
https://foragerchef.com/black-morels/
https://www.fungusfactfriday.com/140-morchella-angusticeps/
https://www.slowburningpassion.com/the-best-morel-recipes-start-with-butter-and-cream/
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/jf020267c
https://www.first-nature.com/fungi/morchella-elata.php
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