Het thop (barometer earthstar)

Astraeus hygrometricus, A. odoratus

mushroom

Small crunchy balls harvested young at the start of the rains, cooked in curry or with salt.

Origin

Dipterocarp forests (Thailand, Laos, India)

Season (United States)

May to July

Preparation

Only bought at the market: small toxic earthballs look like it. If you pick it yourself, have the mushroom checked by a pharmacist or a mycological society before eating it.

Molecules

In small amounts, not counted Mushroom beta-glucans · Ergothioneine

Did you know?

Mature, it opens into a star that closes in dry weather: it is called the “barometer earthstar”.