Candy cap
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Candy cap and curry milkcap are common names for two closely related species of Lactarius: L. camphoratus and L. rubidus. Additionally, L. rufulus is termed the southern candy cap. Many similar species are known. Candy caps are valued for their highly aromatic qualities and are used as a flavoring.
Candy cap and curry milkcap are common names for two closely related species of Lactarius: L. camphoratus and L. rubidus. Additionally, L. rufulus is termed the southern candy cap. Many similar species are known. Candy caps are valued for their highly aromatic qualities and are used as a flavoring.
Distribution and habitat
Near the West Coast of North America, candy caps can be found from December through March.
Ecology
Like other species of Lactarius, candy caps are generally thought to be ectotrophic, with L. camphoratus having been identified in ectomycorrhizal root tips. However, unusually for a mycorrhizal species, L. rubidus is also commonly observed growing directly on decaying conifer wood. All candy cap species seem to be associated with a range of tree species.
Uses
Candy caps are not typically consumed in the same way most other edible mushrooms are consumed. Because of the strongly aromatic quality of these mushrooms, they are instead used primarily as a flavoring, much the way vanilla, saffron, or truffles are used. They impart a flavor and aroma to foods that has been compared to maple syrup or curry, but with a much stronger aroma than either of these seasonings. Candy caps are unique among edible mushrooms in that they are often used in sweet and dessert foods, such as cookies and ice cream. They are also sometimes used to flavor savory dishes that are traditionally prepared with sweet accompaniments, such as pork, and are also sometimes used in place of curry seasoning. They are usually used in dried form, as the characteristic aroma intensifies greatly upon drying. To use them as a flavoring, the dried mushrooms are either powdered or they are infused into one of the liquid ingredients used in the dish, for example, being steeped in hot milk, much the same way whole vanilla beans are. As a result of these culinary properties, candy caps are highly sought after by many chefs. Lactarius rubidus is commercially gathered and sold in California while L. camphoratus is gathered and sold in the United Kingdom and Yunnan, China. Marchand reports that some individuals use L. camphoratus as part of a pipe tobacco mix.
See also
List of Lactarius species
References
External links
From North American species of Lactarius by L. R. Hesler and Alexander H. Smith, 1979: Lactarius fragilis var. rubidus: page 505 page 506 Lactarius camphoratus: page 506 page 507 page 508 From MushroomExpert.Com by Michael Kuo: "Lactarius rubidus", February 2004. "Lactarius camphoratus", March 2005. "California Fungi: Lactarius rubidus" by Michael Wood & Fred Stevens, MykoWeb.com, 2001 "Fungus of the Month for October 2005: Lactarius rubidus, candy caps" by Tom Volk. "Why we're wild about the curry mushroom" by Martyn McLaughlin, The Herald, September 28, 2006. "Bay Area Mushrooms: Lactarius rubidus and Lactarius rufulus: The Candy Cap" by Debbie Viess, BayAreaMushrooms.org, 2007
Text derived from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1347355585 under CC BY-SA 4.0; modifications have been made.