It's springtime in Indiana. That means baseball, flower beds — and morel mushrooms.
Morels are some of the most desired wild mushrooms in the world for their distinctive taste.
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And April and May are considered the best times to hunt for the popular fungi.
Here's what you need to know about morel mushrooms and mushroom hunting.
Where to find morel mushrooms
A morel hunter looks for the popular fungi on privately-owned woods in Johnson County in 2003. (Photo: IndyStar file photo)
Morels can be found peeking out of a bed of leaves on the edge of forested areas filled with older or dead ash, aspen, elm or oak trees. Early in the season, they can be found on warmer, south-facing slopes in more open areas. Later in the season, you can also find them on north-facing slopes in deeper woods. They also like well-drained, moist, loamy soil like that can found in creek bottoms.
What do morels look like?
April is the best month for finding tasty morel mushrooms. Be on the watch for them the first time it gets warm after a good rain. (Photo: Provided by Ted Rose.)
Morels have hollow, white stems and longish, conical caps that have a pockmarked or honeycombed exterior. They can range in color from blonde to light brown to gray and can grow from the size of a thimble to as large as a soda can.
They're different from the half-free morel, which has a longer stem and smaller, darker cap and may resemble an umbrella. (These mushroom also are edible, but they can cause intestinal distress in some people.)
Other mushrooms, such as the false morel, are darker in color, look like a brain, don't include noticeable stems, and should be avoided.
What do morel mushrooms taste like?
They have a deep, earthy, nutty flavor that some describe as being woodsy and toasted. Some people even say they taste a little bit like steak. Morel mushrooms do have a meaty texture, but they aren't squishy or chewy.
Are morel mushrooms good for you?
Are morel mushrooms good for you?
Bud Clark of Bud's Bait and Tackle shop in Ninveh, Ind., holds a display of Indiana mushrooms. (Photo: IndyStar 2005 file photo)
Yes. Morels are a good source of Vitamins B and D as well as minerals, including iron, copper, phosphorus, manganese, zinc and potassium. They're also a good source of protein and dietary fiber and are low in caloric content, whether fresh or dried.
When can I find morels in the wild?
The morel mushroom season is from late March through May. Morels start popping up when the ground heats up to 45 or 50 degrees and when the soil is wet but not soaked through. Morels can be elusive, but they will often start showing themselves after a string of 50-degree days and a little rain.
Where can I eat morel mushrooms?
These freshly harvested morel mushrooms were prepared with a Parmesan linguini, asparagus and goat cheese. (Photo: IndyStar file photo)
You can find them served in dishes at high-end restaurants and can buy them in farmers markets and specialty grocery stores. Beware that morels are highly perishable; fresh ones only last about a week or two when properly stored in a cool, dry place. Morels are often dried out first if they're going to be kept for awhile or shipped long distances. (Another hint: Always cook morel mushrooms first to break down naturally occurring compounds that can cause gastric upset if they're eaten raw.)
Are morel mushrooms expensive?
The famous morel mushroom, a staple of Hoosier diets in the springtime. (Photo: IndyStar file photo)
Because they're highly sought after and not easy to find, they can be pricey. Morels sold in stores or farmers markets can range in price from $15 a pound to more than $50 a pound, depending on the location.
