{"id":9137,"date":"2021-07-10T16:38:43","date_gmt":"2021-07-10T16:38:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/?p=9137"},"modified":"2022-04-06T19:32:36","modified_gmt":"2022-04-06T19:32:36","slug":"false-chanterelle-mushrooms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/false-chanterelle-mushrooms\/","title":{"rendered":"False Chanterelle Mushrooms: How To Tell The Difference"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You may have heard of chanterelle mushrooms<\/a>, but did you know they have a close look-alike? False chanterelle mushrooms grow in similar environments as true chanterelles, and upon first glance, you may think they look like identical twins. Read on to learn more about false chanterelles and how to tell them apart from the real thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Can You Tell Real Chanterelles from False Chanterelles?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"how<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

False chanterelles are so named for a reason. If you\u2019re not looking closely, or if you haven\u2019t spent a lot of time foraging for mushrooms, it\u2019s easy to get them mixed up with true chanterelles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luckily, if you know what you\u2019re looking for, there are several sure ways to tell them apart.<\/strong> Let\u2019s take a look at some of the most notable differences between chanterelles and false chanterelles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

False Chanterelles Have Soft Gills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you look on the underside of the mushroom\u2019s cap, you\u2019ll find gills on both chanterelles and false chanterelles. But the types of gills you\u2019ll find are quite different depending on which type of mushroom you\u2019re dealing with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

True chanterelles have flat, narrow ridges<\/strong> that are firm to the touch and don\u2019t break off easily. False chanterelle have larger, forked gills<\/strong> that are soft, flexible, and easy to break away by running a finger over them.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

False Chanterelles Grow on Forest Debris<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One major difference between chanterelles and false chanterelles is how they grow. Both types of mushroom tend to grow on forest floors and can often be found near conifers, but that is where the similarity ends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

True chanterelles have a symbiotic relationship with tree roots. For this reason, they grow out of the ground and are firmly attached to it.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

False chanterelles usually grow from loose debris on the forest floor, such as decaying wood and plant materials.<\/strong> Because they aren\u2019t growing directly from the ground, they may appear loose and unstable, and they will be easier to collect than true chanterelles because they aren\u2019t firmly attached to a solid base.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

False Chanterelles Have No Distinctive Odor or Taste<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

True chanterelles have a mild but unmistakable flavor.<\/strong> It\u2019s basically a cross between fruity and peppery, and this unique flavor is largely why chanterelles are so popular among mushroom enthusiasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, false chanterelles have no noticeable odor and an unmemorable taste<\/strong> that is generally described as earthy, mushroomy, and bitter. Some people don\u2019t like the taste at all, while others agree that it is bland and unremarkable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, the best way to understand the differences between chanterelles and false chanterelles is to see a side by side comparison. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a great visual and in-depth discussion of the differences, check out the following video:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=y_is0A2Nz1o<\/a>