White saddle

Helvella crispa

mushroom

A whitish mushroom with a saddle-shaped cap, eaten by tradition in France and Italy.

Origin

Forests of Europe

Season (United States)

August to November

Preparation

Always well cooked, never raw: guides have called it edible, then toxic, then edible again. If you pick it yourself, have the mushroom checked by a pharmacist or a mycological society before eating it.

Molecules

Mushroom beta-glucansIn small amounts, not counted Ergothioneine

Did you know?

In French it is also called « bonnet de capelan », the capelan's cap.