Dried Candy Cap Mushrooms

Inventory, lb : 0
This item was last sold on : 04/24/12

Seasons/Availability

Dried candy cap mushrooms are typically available year round.

Current Facts

Candy caps, Lactarius rubidus and Lactarius rufulus, are also more commonly known as milky caps as they exude a colored milk when bruised or cut. With time, the color of the milk changes, covering many spectrums from violet, red, blue, purple, orange and white.

Description/Taste

Candy caps are a petite and fragile, gilled and spored mushroom. They are harvested primarily to be used in dry form as they are more flavorful when dried or powdered and maintain their flavor for years. Dried candy caps have a maple syrup flavor and emit an aroma that can fill a room for days. Candy caps should be stored and served independently from other mushrooms because of their unique, sweet and powerful fragrance.

Applications

Dried candy caps are primarily used for their sweetness in savory or dessert applications. Add to savory meat dishes or incorporate into a sweet sauce. Use dried candy cap powder as a dust or blend with sea salt to make a flavored salt. Pair candy caps with caramel, soft cheeses, root vegetables, apples and potatoes.

Geography/History

Candy cap mushrooms flourish in their growing environments but their presence is limited to the Western United States, primarily coastal California. They grow alongside wild native blackberry bushes and they can be found near poisonous oak during the winter months. Thus, foraging them wild can come with consequences. As they are difficult to harvest their market price is correspondingly high.


Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Dried Candy Cap Mushrooms. One is easiest, three is harder.

Cupcake Project		Candy Cap Mushroom Cupcakes
Fork + Bottle		Wild Mushroom Soup
Cupcake Project		Potato, Mushroom, and Apple Soup
Skillet Doux		Candy Cap Cheesecake with Chanterelle Caramel Sauce and Candied Porcini Bark