 | | Name: | Porcini_Mushroom | | Plural names: | Porcini_Mushrooms |
| Description: | Porcini or Cep (Boletus edulis) is a highly regarded mushroom known by many names, including Porcini (in Italy), Vargánya (in Hungary), Borowik Szlachetny (in Poland), Belyj Grib ("White Mushroom") or Borovik (in Russia), Dubák or Hríb Smrekový (in Slovakia), King Bolete, Penny Bun, Cèpe (in France), Hrib or Mânătarcă (in Romania) and Steinpilz (in Germany). Its scientific name, Boletus, from the Latin stem bolet-, meaning "Superior Mushroom" and edulis, meaning edible, goes far in describing the qualities of this mushroom.
The cap of Porcini is 7-30 cm broad at maturity, and mostly reddish-brown fading to white in areas near the margin; the color continues to darken as it matures. The stalk is 8-25 cm in height, and up to 7 cm thick-- rather large in comparison to the cap. The pores, which do not stain when bruised, are white in youth, fading to yellow and then to brown with age. Fully mature specimens can weigh about 2 pounds (1 kg). However, the most appreciated by gourmet are the young small porcini, as the large ones often have maggots (insect larvae) inside, and they become slimy and less tasty with age.
Boletus edulis can be found most commonly in Europe and western North America. The mushroom can grow singularly or in clusters. Its habitat consists of areas dominated by pine, spruce, and fir trees. Not limited to these locations, the King Bolete is also found in hardwood forests containing oaks. It fruits from summer to autumn, following sustained rainfall. |
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