White mushroom / Boletus edulis, or porcini (short for white) — a mushroom from the genus Boletus. In ancient times, "mushrooms" were mainly used to refer to edible mushrooms, and the term was especially associated with the white mushroom as the most valuable.
The cap of a mature mushroom is 7-30 cm (sometimes up to 50 cm) in diameter, convex, and flat-convex or flattened in older mushrooms. The surface is smooth or wrinkled, may crack in dry weather, bare, may be fine-haired (especially at the edge), rarely fibrous-scaled. In wet weather, the surface is slightly slimy, in dry weather matte or glossy. The cap color ranges from reddish-brown to nearly white, darkens with age, may also be lemon-yellow, orange, or purple tones, often unevenly colored with light edges, sometimes with a narrow pure white or yellowish rim. The cap skin is attached and does not detach from the flesh.
The flesh is firm, succulent, fibrous in older specimens, white in young ones, slightly yellows with age, does not change color after cutting (rarely a slight color change to pink or blue is observed), beneath the darkened skin may be a layer of brown or reddish-brown hue. Taste is mild, weakly expressed, the smell of raw flesh is barely noticeable, a strong pleasant mushroom aroma appears when boiled and especially when dried.
The stem is 8-25 cm tall (usually up to 12 cm) and up to 7 cm thick (rarely 10 cm or more), robust, bulbous or club-shaped, elongates with age and may become cylindrical, expanded, or narrowed in the middle, base often remains thickened. Surface is whitish, brownish, sometimes reddish, may have the same hue as the cap, but lighter. Covered with a network of white or lighter veins. The network is usually in the upper part of the stem, but may extend to the base, rarely absent or weakly expressed.
The tube layer has a deep depression near the stem base, easily detaches from the cap flesh, light-colored, white in young mushrooms, later yellows, then turns olive-green, very rarely in young age has a pinkish-red tint. Tubes 1-4 cm long, pores small, round.
Prefers forests with moss and lichen cover, older trees over 50 years, but in pine forests, largest yields occur at forest age 20-25 years.
Optimal fruiting temperature in July and August is 15-18 °C, in September 8-10 °C. Large daily and nightly temperature fluctuations and heavy rainfall hinder fruiting. Optimal meteorological conditions for mass appearance of white mushroom are short thunderstorms and warm nights with mist.
Grows on well-drained, but not overly wet soils — sandy, loamy, and clayey, rarely found on peat and swamp soils.
Considered a sun-loving species, but in some forests it occurs in heavily shaded areas, under dense canopies. It has been established that in good years, the number of mushrooms does not depend on light exposure, but under unfavorable conditions (excessive soil moisture, low daytime temperature), mushrooms appear mainly on open, well-heated areas.
Edible mushroom, in Eastern European countries considered one of the best mushrooms by taste, in folk tradition often classified as so-called "noble mushrooms" and called the "king of mushrooms." In England, America, and some Western European countries (Switzerland, Scandinavian countries) until the mid-20th century, collecting wild mushrooms was unpopular, and white mushroom was practically unknown. After World War II, mushroom hunting traditions and popularity of white mushroom spread to these regions.
Used fresh (boiled and fried), dried, and marinated. When dried, mushrooms do not darken and acquire a special aroma. As a mushroom powder (dried and ground), used for seasoning various dishes. In Italy, eaten raw in salads dressed with oil, spices, lemon juice, with Parmesan cheese. Mushroom sauces pair well with rice and meat dishes.
Cultivating White Mushroom on a home plot: in a shaded area, on a 2.5-3 m² area, dig down 30 cm, and fill with nutrient mix.
First layer: (spread on the bottom) fallen leaves, grass or wood bark (10 cm).
Second layer: forest compost or soil under trees (10 cm). Then evenly sprinkle dried mycelium previously mixed with 1 liter of dry soil over the entire area.
Third layer: plant residues, similar to the first layer, but 3 cm thick.
Fourth layer: garden soil (3-5 cm). After sowing, water by drip method.
First mushrooms appear within 1.5-2 months, then every 1-1.5 weeks.
In indoor conditions, cultivate similarly, but plant in containers. The mycelium lives up to 5 years. Can be cultivated at any time of the year.
