A Local Delicacy, Morel Mushrooms Are Popping Up In Woods Across Pennsylvania
By Beth Price-Williams|Published March 26, 2021
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Beth Price-Williams
Author
A professional writer for more than two decades, Beth has lived in nearly a dozen states – from Missouri and Virginia to Connecticut and Vermont – and Toronto, Canada. In addition to traveling extensively in the U.S. and the U.K., she has a BA in Journalism from Point Park University (PA), a MA in Holocaust & Genocide Studies from Stockton University (NJ), and a Master of Professional Writing from Chatham University (PA). A writer and editor for Only In Your State since 2016, Beth grew up in and currently lives outside of Pittsburgh and when she’s not writing or hanging out with her bunnies, budgies, and chinchilla, she and her daughter are out chasing waterfalls.
Spring has officially arrived, and that means the welcome return of so much – from longer, sunnier, and warmer days to colorful flowers blossoming. Birds, like the ruby-throated hummingbird, begin returning to the state, and morel mushrooms start popping up. If you’re a fan of morel mushrooms in Pennsylvania, a delicacy that adds that extra bit of oomph to any recipe, you’ve got a really short window of time to get out and start finding them.
Morel mushroom season is extremely short in Pennsylvania. The popular spring fungi are typically found from the middle of April through the middle of May.
These edible mushrooms typically grow best in moist areas and are particularly around trees that are dying or are already dead. They’re commonly found among elm and apple trees, for example.
During the early part of the morel mushroom season, concentrate your search in sloping areas that face the south. Alternate that and focus on finding morel mushrooms in sloping areas that face the north during the final two weeks of the season.
Morel mushrooms typically grow quickly, in a span of one to two days, so you might want to recheck spots you already looked. Most of these popular delicacies grow to a height of two to four inches.
Finding and picking the mushrooms is just the first step in your journey. You must also properly identify them to ensure they are, indeed, safe to eat.
To determine whether the mushrooms you’ve found are real morel mushrooms or fake morel mushrooms, cut them open straight down the middle. You’ll know it’s authentic if it is hollow inside – from the base to the tip.
You can also use photographs and descriptions to identify the mushrooms. If you use this method, make sure you don’t count on just one photograph. You can also ask a mushroom expert to confirm you’ve found authentic morel mushrooms.
Have you tried the morel mushrooms in Pennsylvania? Where did you go hunting for them? Share your experience in the comments! Ready to spend even more time outdoors this spring? Here are 11 must-visit outdoor destinations in Pennsylvania to get you started.
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