The Secretive Art of Chantarelle Picking
Chantarelles, in their radiant orange outfits, are the limelight-stealers of the forest. The language of the North unanimously agrees to call them by one name: Kantareller. Their captivating shape and vivid hue make them stand out in the woodland crowd, reducing the chances of unfortunate mix-ups to near zero. And let's not forget how adaptable they are in the kitchen – from the tiniest sprouts to fully mature mushrooms, they always add a special touch to our meals, especially in our highly praised chantarelle cream sauce. Look forward to our favorite recipes coming your way in the following weeks.
Engaging in the art of picking chantarelles feels akin to being inducted into a magical woodland fraternity. Legend suggests that it's a faux pas of the highest order to pry into a Swede's chantarelle treasure map. However, we are of the belief that such a rule might just be part of the grand folklore. But oh, don't hold your breath for us to spill the beans about our goldmine locations - we hold their locations dear, treasuring them like a pirate his hoard.
Our chantarelle season kicks off with the waning of summer and marches on proudly into the autumnal embrace, offering an aromatic prelude to the bountiful harvest season. These forest gems keep delightful company, preferring the shelter of majestic trees such as the beech, oak, birch and pine.
These fertile patches yield their fragrant bounty with the fidelity of an old friend, year after year. We take care to leave some behind, not unlike leaving cookies for Santa, to ensure the spores can continue their earthy dance, even though, in all technical honesty, the main body of fungi – the mycelium – can do without this tiny gesture. But why break with such an endearing tradition?
Our two fledgling foragers, Bear and Ronia, are our most reliable allies in this secretive pursuit. Equipped with their keen vision and a ground-level vantage point, they are an unmatched chantarelle detection squad. Their joy in making meaningful contributions to our family haul turns what might have been an ordinary forest walk into a treasure hunt of epic proportions!
