I make tea every day from Birch Polypores- Piptoporous bitulinus. I find they give some great non-jittery energy. Their taste is mild and woody, goes great with green tea and honey. Birch polypores are pretty plentiful and easy to identify also as they grow exclusively on birch trees. I’ve done water and ethanol extractions on them as well as turkey tails. I just haven’t figured out how to preserve the flavor of water-based tinctures…
The chicken of the woods, Laetiporous sulfureus/cincinattus, is a great wild edible. Easy to identify and plentiful. You can prepare them like chicken- but make sure to boil first so you know they are fully cooked. Last year I made chicken fingers, chicken parm, scampi, soups, you name it. I harvested 10lbs of the stuff and couldn’t make dishes quick enough. Has the stringy texture of white meat, very little flavor.
Other than that, my favorite wild mushroom to find are beefsteak fungus (Fistulina hepatica)! They look bizarre like a cow tongue stuck to a tree. They’re very meaty but they don’t taste like meat- they’re tart and citrusy. Last year I made a vegan tartarre using this fungus with wood sorrel, oil, and vinegar.
I am working on a list of wild mushrooms that I’ve been able to forage, identify, and consume without killing myself. Once I get up to 10 I plan on starting a leg sleeve tattoo. Finally- I’ve learned so much from this community over the years, I’m happy to offer knowledge and experience!
From best to worst in flavor, texture, and versatility;
Beefsteak fungus- tart, meaty, can eat raw
Chicken of the woods- little flavor, meaty, must cook (cincinnatus better than sulphureus, more tender)
Birch polypore- light woody flavor, can eat young ones, mature ones inedible but good for tea
Turkey tail- wood flavor, can be bitter. inedible, good for tea
Witch’s butter- delightful color, bouncy texture, absolutely no flavor. good for soup!
Tinder hoof polypore- very similar to turkey tail, but hellish to slice for tea
Old man of the woods- really cool mushroom, smells of basement, tastes of dirt. unfortunate.
Dog stinkhorn- immature eggs only. taste as good as they smell. very slimy. survival food only, trust me. the only time I would eat this is if my other option was a century egg.
Happy to respond to inquiries, mushrooms are my passion, extraction is just my career.
