{"id":12352,"date":"2022-11-24T03:00:27","date_gmt":"2022-11-24T08:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/?p=12352"},"modified":"2022-11-26T08:27:05","modified_gmt":"2022-11-26T13:27:05","slug":"why-do-bolete-mushrooms-turn-red-when-cut","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/why-do-bolete-mushrooms-turn-red-when-cut\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Do Bolete Mushrooms Turn Red When Cut?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You may have heard that many boletes change color when they are cut or damaged. Perhaps you\u2019ve also heard that those staining blue or red should be avoided at all costs. But is this true across the board? Why do bolete mushrooms turn red when cut? Why do they turn blue? And does the color change really have anything to do with whether the mushroom is edible? Keep reading as we explore the answers to these and other questions!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Do Boletes Turn Red When Cut?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"bolete<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is common for bolete mushrooms<\/a> to change color when they are cut, and this color change isn\u2019t necessarily an accurate indicator of whether a mushroom is edible. That said, as a general rule of thumb, bolete mushrooms that show red coloration should be avoided.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Very few boletes stain red or pink when cut. But if they do, it likely means they are a poisonous variety or are beginning to go bad.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Satan\u2019s bolete, for example, will quickly turn pinkish when the pores are damaged before fading to a more blue color. This mushroom should be avoided, as it can cause extremely unpleasant digestive symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An exception to the rule would be the edible red-cracking bolete. This mushroom begins to crack as it ages, and these cracks (as well as any bug damage to the caps) turn red or pinkish when exposed to the air.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is simply due to oxidation\u2013when the damaged surface is exposed to air, it begins to change color, much like the cut surface of an apple might do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you were to cut open a red-cracking bolete, you would notice that it has a white cap with a reddish stem. Over time, the entire cut surface would begin to turn red.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still, if you are not absolutely certain of your mushroom\u2019s identity, it\u2019s best to avoid eating any that stain red. While it\u2019s possible the mushroom may simply be changing color due to oxidation, it\u2019s just as likely that you\u2019re dealing with a poisonous mushroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Do Boletes Turn Blue When Cut?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The vast majority of boletes turn some shade of blue when they are cut. This color change may happen within a few minutes, or it may take up to an hour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This color change happens because of oxidation. Chemicals in the broken cells of the mushroom react with the air to cause the cut surface to change color.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Again, this color change doesn\u2019t necessarily reflect the edibility<\/a> of the mushroom. Both edible and inedible bolete species may turn blue when cut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A good rule of thumb is to pay attention to what part of the mushroom turns blue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you cut the mushroom open down the stem and only a small area around the pores turns dark blue, there\u2019s a good chance you\u2019re dealing with a poisonous mushroom. If the entire cut surface stains a lighter sky blue, then it\u2019s more likely an edible species.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out this video to learn more about why bolete mushrooms stain blue:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=7YdPhPk0WIc<\/a>