• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Practical Self Reliance

Your Practical Guide To Self Reliant Living

  • Off-Grid
  • Foraging
  • Herbalism
  • Preserving
  • Winemaking & Brewing
  • Permaculture
You are here: Home / Foraging / Foraging Chanterelle Mushrooms

Foraging Chanterelle Mushrooms

July 1, 2018 by Ashley Adamant 25 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links.  Read full disclosure here.
5462 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

Just after we moved to our land, a big group of our college friends came for a visit.  We took them on a long walk through the woods, showing off our land like proud parents.  Fresh eyes noticed a lot about our land that we hadn’t yet seen.  One of our visitors kept saying, “Wow, you guys sure have a lot of orange mushrooms growing everywhere…”  At that point, I’d never even heard of a chanterelle, let alone eaten one. 

Later that week, we took our guests to the farmers market in town, and one of the vendors had a basket overflowing with those same orange mushrooms, labeled “wild foraged chanterelles ~ $25 per pound.”

Since then, we’ve paid a lot more attention to the mushroom life on our woodland homestead, and successfully identified a number of tasty mushrooms including reishi, morels and chaga.  Like a first love, chanterelles still have my adoration.

Chanterelle Mushroom

How to Find Chanterelles

So where do chanterelles grow?  They require established woodland to grow, which means they’re not likely to be cultivated anytime soon.  Chanterelles develop interdependent relationships with trees, called mycorrhizal relationships.  This relationship takes a while to establish, so they require a mature forest to grow.  A forest that’s been cut in the past few years won’t have chanterelles.  Look for older trees and a solid forest canopy.  They’re most commonly found around maple, beech, poplar, birch and oak trees.  In some areas, they’re associated with pine and fir trees, so it doesn’t have to be hardwood.

Chanterelles require moist habitat, and they’re most abundant in wet summers with consistent rain.

Chanterelle Patch in New England (Vermont)

Identifying Chanterelles

Positively identifying chanterelle mushrooms take a bit more work than just spotting a few orange mushrooms in the distance.  Their bright color makes them easy to spot on the forest floor, but once you have a chanterelle candidate in hand be sure to verify that it’s not a poisonous look alike.

Chanterelles have forked ridges on their underside, and the forking is a characteristic of true chanterelle mushrooms.  They’re not exactly true gills, and they have blunt edges.  The ridges run down the stem of the mushroom, which is another identifier.

Identifying Chanterelles with Forked Gills

Chanterelle Characteristics

  • Yellow to orange in color (except black trumpets, which are black)
  • Growing as individual mushrooms (not groups) most of the time
  • Chanterelles always grow on the forest floor, never on wood
  • Thick, blunt ridges instead of true gills
  • Forked ridges rather than straight
  • Ridges run down the stem
  • The flesh inside is a pale creamy white, not orange like the surface
  • Smells sweet like fruit, like apricots
  • The cap edge is wavy, thin and irregular

Closeup of Chanterelle Forked Gills

Poisonous Chanterelle Look-Alikes

There’s only one poisonous chanterelle look alike, the Jack-O-Lantern mushroom (Omphalotus olearius).  While the Jack-O-Lantern mushroom is, in fact, an orange mushroom, that’s about where the similarity ends.  Jack-O-Lantern mushrooms have true gills, that are not blunt like chanterelle gills.  They also don’t fork or run down the stem of the mushroom.  Lastly, Jack-O-Lantern mushrooms always grow on wood, often in groups rather than singly.  This can be tricky though since the wood they’re growing on may be buried so that it looks like they’re coming out of the forest floor.

Apparently, Jack-O-Lantern mushrooms taste quite good, but you still don’t want to eat them.  They’re not deadly, but they’ll cause quite a bit of uncomfortable gastric distress.

Jack O Lantern Mushroom Omphalotus olearius

Jack-O-Lantern mushroom growing in a group and out of wood. Two things that the chanterelle does not do. (Image Source)

Jack-O-Lantern Mushroom Characteristics

  • True gills that do not fork
  • Thin, fragile gills
  • Grow on wood rather than the forest floor
  • Almost always grow in groups
  • The orange flesh inside when broken (not white/cream colored like chanterelle)
  • Gills glow in the dark (thus the name)
Jack-O-Lantern Mushroom Omphalotus olearius

A closeup view of the gills on a Jack-O-Lantern mushroom. Note how thin and fragile they are in comparison to the ridges on a chanterelle. (Image Source)

False Chanterelles

Besides the Jack-O-Lantern Mushroom, there’s also a mushroom known as the false chanterelle (Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca).  False chanterelles are not toxic, but it doesn’t taste as good as a true chanterelle.  I’m going to admit right here that I have trouble telling the difference.  If you look at pictures of false chanterelles, some of them are very different than a chanterelle, but others are disturbingly similar.

The gills are somewhere between a true chanterelle and a Jack-O-Lantern mushroom.  They are gills, and they are thinner than a chanterelles blunt ridges, but they also fork.  The caps tend to be rounded and downturned.  The center of the top of the cap tends to be darker in color than the edge.

The main difference is the smell, but sometimes smell can be deceiving.  False chanterelles smell like any grocery store mushroom, while true chanterelles smell fruity.  Depending on the weather or the state of the mushrooms, smell might not be a good indicator.

While they are not poisonous, there are some reported cases where they’ve caused gastric discomfort in some people.  While it’s very easy to avoid a Jack-O-Lantern mushroom, false chanterelles are a bit trickier.

 False Chanterelle, Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca

A closeup of a False Chanterelle, Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca. (Image Source)

False Chanterelle Characteristics

  • Deep, thin gills rather than the blunt gills of a chanterelle
  • Forked gills (like chanterelles)
  • Cap edge is downturned and round
  • Center of the cap is darker colored, edge is lighter
  • Smell like a mushroom, not like apricots

Chanterelle Mushroom Season

The next year, we’re at the farmer’s market again, and another table is covered with Chanterelles.  Ours don’t come in until August, and here they are, clear as day in July.  I stopped to ask where he found them so early, and he looked at me with confusion and said, “There are dozens of different species of chanterelles, each with a different season.”  Well, there you go.  We may have an abundance of chanterelles, but we have a late variety.  With so many strains, chanterelle season extends for the better part of the summer.

Out in the pacific northwest, where they don’t get a proper winter, I hear they even have a winter chanterelle.

Chanterelle Varieties

After being told that there are dozens of chanterelle varieties, I set out to find a complete list.  I didn’t find one, but I did find quite a few varieties.  This is not an exhaustive list, but it’s all I’ve found described thus far.  If you know of other varieties, leave a note in the comments and I’ll do a bit more research.  Beyond that, all the species information I can find seems to be related to the Western United States.  I’d love to find a good source of information about Chanterelles in New England, so if you have on, let me know!

  • Cantharellus appalachiensis – A chanterelle variety native to the Appalachian range in the Eastern United States.
  • Cantharellus californicus – Called the Mud puppy or Oak Chanterelle, and is native to California.
  • Cantharellus cascadensis – Native to the pacific northwest.
  • Cantharellus cibarius – Now refers to the common golden Chanterelle.  This species name was originally used to refer to all chanterelles until DNA tests began to break out distinct species.
  • Craterellus cornucopioides – Black Trumpet Mushrooms are black instead of golden.
  • Cantharellus formosus – Pacific Golden Chanterelle is described as meaty and funnel-shaped.
  • Craterellus lutescens – Closely related to Craterellus tubaeformis and also called Yellowfoot chanterelle.  This species is rarer and is only found in very wet locations.
  • Cantharellus roseocanus – Native to the pacific northwest, and only became a distinct species in 2012.
  • Cantharellus spectaculus – The “Spectacular Chanterelle” is native to the Midwest.
  • Cantharellus subalbidus – This chanterelle is very pale, almost white in color, thus the name White Chanterelle.
  • Craterellus tubaeformis – Known as Yellowfoot, Winter chanterelle or Funnel Chanterelle.  Found in northern and mountainous climates in the US and Europe.  Associated with conifer trees.

Chanterelle Recipes

So now that you’ve got them, it’s time to cook with chanterelles.  Like most mushrooms, chanterelles shouldn’t be eaten raw.  Cooking, especially with a bit of butter or oil, brings out their rich flavor anyway.  I love making simple chanterelle cream toasts for a quick snack, and chanterelle risotto when I’m feeling more ambitious.

Since chanterelles have a fruity, apricot-like taste, they work well as part of a dessert too.  I’ve made both chanterelle ice cream and chanterelle cheesecake, both were delicious.  My young daughter still asks for mushroom ice cream often enough, which always confuses people around us (and gives me a chuckle).

  • Chanterelle Tart with Ricotta and Rosemary
  • Cream of Chanterelle Soup
  • Chanterelle Soup
  • Russian Style Chanterelles over Eggs and Toast
  • Rustic Creamy Chanterelle Pasta
  • French Onion Beef Stroganoff with Chanterelles
  • Chanterelle Omelet
  • Barley Risotto with Chanterelles and Goat Cheese
Disclaimer: Every year people are poisoned by eating wild mushrooms that closely resemble edible species.  Although mushroom poisonings are rare in the grand scheme of things, be aware that you are responsible for proper identification AND consulting multiple sources for your identification.
 
I am not a mushroom expert, nor do I claim to be.  I’ve written this based on my own research because I enjoy sharing the fruits of my own mycological journey with others.  Do not rely solely on my writings to identify mushroom types, and be sure to cross reference anything mushroom related with at least two (preferably more) credible sources.

Foraging Chanterelles for Beginners #foraging #forage #mushrooms #ediblemushrooms #wildfood #wildcrafting #chanterelles #chanterellemushrooms

Related

Filed Under: Foraging, Mushrooms

« Foraging Wild Ginger
30+ Creative Ways to Use Blackcurrants »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kat

    July 3, 2018 at 2:30 am

    Hey, did you see this?
    http://www.mushroomexpert.com/cantharellaceae.html
    It has a key, but perhaps even more valuable is the extensive list of references at the bottom of the page.

    Reply
  2. Mark Brandli

    October 6, 2018 at 4:56 am

    For more info on mushrooms look on you-tube…. Learn your land , by Adam Harrington . He has classes in your part of the country and there is a list of times and places .
    Good article (as usual) Thankyou.

    Reply
  3. Virgil

    November 23, 2018 at 6:25 pm

    Thanks for the write up! I enjoy Chanterelles. My dad’s place had a ton this year! Feel free to watch our hunt. https://youtu.be/HtpuTyl29FQ

    Reply
  4. Uwe Ehrlich

    July 20, 2019 at 8:49 pm

    Recently found a wonderful cache of chanterelles in western North Carolina. Being from Germany I’ve had a lifelong love for “Pfifferlinge”.
    Your article underlined the importance of mushrooms. Thanks.
    Uwe Ehrlich

    Reply
  5. Amber

    July 24, 2019 at 5:59 pm

    There’s a rainbow chanterelle

    Reply
  6. Daniel Shields

    July 30, 2019 at 12:05 am

    Thank you for sharing and spreading awareness! It is nice to know how to spot the right mushroom in the wild. Nevertheless, we can still eat some of them even if they are not medicinal it can still cure our hunger. It has endless capabilities!

    Reply
  7. Brittany

    September 23, 2019 at 11:19 pm

    Just as a heads up for people who may like to go pick their own chantrelle mushrooms you should not pick them as they are not like all mushrooms that drop spoars. You should cut them when you go out picking and dont pick them right out of the ground. Myself have picked them for years with my husband and he always said to cut them and do not pick, ive also heard that from many other mushroom pickers here on Vancouver Island.

    Reply
  8. Foragee

    March 23, 2020 at 10:18 pm

    There’s also a Cinnabar red chantrelle. Tiny but well worht it.

    Reply
    • Jim Fogarty

      August 29, 2021 at 12:45 pm

      Yes, Foragee!
      I just found a beautiful patch of Cinnabar chantrelle mushrooms in CT. This was in an area that received over 4 inches of rain in a recent storm. I am so pumped. As most of my finds go, I research to make sure that they are edible.

      Then, I look up recipes:).

      Reply
  9. Rebecca Morris

    July 21, 2020 at 12:21 am

    Thank you, very knowledgeable and helpful. Super excited to eat the ones I found hiking today.

    Reply
    • Admin

      July 22, 2020 at 7:55 pm

      Awesome, enjoy them!

      Reply
  10. Amy Carlson

    October 18, 2020 at 5:10 pm

    Responsible picking practice is to cut the mushroom, your first picture looks like you picked it, now you’ve essentially removed the mushroom and it won’t refruit. This is a terrible way to harvest. Please don’t promote non-sustainable practices.

    Reply
    • Admin

      October 19, 2020 at 7:23 pm

      This is not true. I could argue that cutting mushrooms and leaving a stump can rot, grow mold, and kill your entire mushroom patch.

      Reply
    • Charlie

      December 9, 2022 at 1:32 am

      Yes I’ve heard experts say that unlike plants fungi are more like the apples on a tree. You can actually pick them all and the tree isn’t harmed. And there is no difference between picking them and cutting them. Fungi are different than plants. And if you spread their spores around in the process of gathering them then you are doing them a good deed.

      Reply
  11. Gill Hall

    November 14, 2020 at 2:07 pm

    Hi I’m loving your story, but please can I ask you to try not damage the mycelium when you pick your mushrooms. Instead of pulling or twisting it is good to cut the stem with a small sharp knife, holding the mushroom still while you do.
    Then you’ll have more in the years to come, Happy foraging, Gill

    Reply
    • Administrator

      November 17, 2020 at 3:06 pm

      Thank you for that wonderful tip.

      Reply
  12. Jason Hale

    November 28, 2020 at 5:20 am

    Great information. I love chanterelles. As someone else mentioned, I’ve found the red chanterelle, Cantharellus Cinnabarinus here in Texas as well and found them to be tasty as well. There is a blue chanterelle, genus Polyozellus as well that looks quite handsome. I’ve not found it in my area.

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyozellus

    Reply
  13. Wanda

    July 5, 2021 at 1:57 pm

    Is there a site to send pics for identification of Chanterelle?

    Reply
    • Ashley Adamant

      July 6, 2021 at 4:48 pm

      I’d suggest trying some of the mushroom ID groups on facebook or reddit, the users there are often quite helpful (but be aware that most of them are not experts, so still use your best judgment).

      Reply
    • Charlie

      December 9, 2022 at 1:28 am

      You can upload your pictures to iNaturalist and the software will give you an identification to be taken with a grain of salt but often experts will weigh in on your observation and verify or correct the ID. Real experts as you can tell by checking them out on the site.

      Reply
  14. Dede Heath

    July 28, 2021 at 11:36 am

    This morning I found 4-5 black trumpets in a mossy patch at one end of our yard. It’s a woodsy area on the edge of a lake in mid-Maine. There was also one chanterelle, a sole chanterelle! And then a neighbor friend dropped off a birthday present: a paper bag with a good many black trumpets! I think she found them in a woodsy area of her place: several acres, also lake-side.

    Reply
    • Administrator

      July 28, 2021 at 3:40 pm

      That’s awesome! What a great find and a great birthday present.

      Reply
  15. David

    July 17, 2022 at 3:33 am

    I have been finding quite a few chantrells in the last couple weeks. I haven’t found any of the cinnabars yet this year. Here there are a bright orange color. Found 16 chantrells today.

    Reply
  16. Charlie

    December 9, 2022 at 1:25 am

    For what it is worth. I fried two false chanterelles with wild blewits and eggs today for lunch and they were delicious. And I’m alive and well and not seeing pink elephants. If you look them up you see that they are eaten by different peoples around the world so I decided to give them a try.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Meet Ashley from Practical Self Reliance

Ashley Adamant Author Bio

I’m an off-grid homesteader in rural Vermont and the author of Practical Self Reliance, a blog that helps people find practical ways to become more self-reliant. Read More…

Subscribe Here!

Footer

Amazon Disclosure

Practical Self Reliance is a personal blog and a woman-owned small business.  I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. For more details, visit my disclosures page.

Prepper Website

Copyright © 2023 · Foodie Pro & The Genesis Framework

5462 shares