Morel Mushrooms

---

---

Morel mushrooms thrive in the sub-alpine forests of Montana’s Bitterroot Valley.

Often found growing in wildfire burn scars, these highly prized fungi taste a lot better than they look.

This article shares useful facts about finding, identifying, cleaning, and preparing Morel Mushrooms in Montana.

---

---

People Are Passionate About Morel Mushrooms

Much like our famous huckleberries, morel mushrooms are a highly sought after treat in Montana.

Their distinct but subtle flavor, combined with their firm and meaty texture, make them a chef’s favorite.

The Bitterroot Valley is well known for its abundant morel mushrooms, especially after forest fires.

Morel mushrooms in the wild / Bitterroot Info

When spring rolls around, mushroom hunters spend countless hours hiking the mountains and riverbanks in search of these prized delicacies.

You’ll see them with their bags and buckets, walking through the woods and intently staring at the ground, hoping to find a patch of the elusive fungi.

If you see them as you explore the Bitterroot Valley, be nice, they may share some of their harvest with you!

---

---

How to Identify Montana Morel Mushrooms

Yellow and black morel mushrooms are commonly found in western Montana, and both are fairly easy to identify.

However, experts recommend making a positive identification before harvesting morels as there are several imposters that look similar.

Never eat a mushroom you can’t positively identify as serious illness and death can occur.

If you’re heading out to try your luck, follow these guidelines to avoid harvesting potentially poisonous mushrooms.

Step 1 – Slice the mushroom in half from tip to stem. Morel mushrooms have a single chamber inside.

Step 2 – Ensure the edge of the mushroom’s cap is obviously attached to the stem.

Step 3 – Verify the cap of the mushroom has pits surrounded by ridges, and the color of the pits varies from the color of the ridges.

Here’s a quick video showing how to identify morel mushrooms in the forests of nearby Oregon.

Enlisting the help of an experienced picker is always wise for the beginner, and investing in a quality mushroom field guide is highly recommended.

---

---

How to Find Morel Mushrooms in Montana

Start looking for morels in mid-April. Peak fruiting is normally in mid-May.

Typically, black morels fruit first, followed closely by yellow morels.

By mid-June warmer summer weather arrives and the cycle completes. Any remaining mushrooms are no longer desirable.

Morel Mushrooms

Black morels can be found in forested areas, especially in areas recently burned by forest fires.

These areas typically produce large numbers of morels beginning the spring after a fire.

Yellow morels can be found along the banks of good sized rivers, underneath stands of cottonwood trees.

---

---

How to Clean Morel Mushrooms

Morels may have dirt, grit, or insects in their hollow stems and honeycomb tops, and need to be properly cleaned.

First, inspect the mushrooms and shake out anything you can with gentle shakes.

Next, trim at least 1/4″ from the ends of the stems.

Morels in morning sunlight / Bitterroot Info

Now, rinse the mushrooms in cool water just long enough to remove any visible dirt or grit.

For really dirty Morels, soak in a bowl of cool water. Limit soaking time as the mushrooms will absorb water.

Dry morels by laying them on paper towels or a dish towel, pat them dry, and let them fully air dry before cooking.

---

---

How to Cook & Serve Morel Mushrooms

The most common way to cook and serve Morel Mushrooms is to sauté them in butter. Here’s the steps:

Prep the mushrooms by cleaning, drying ,and cutting larger mushrooms in half lengthwise. Small mushrooms can remain whole.

Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat, then add mushrooms in a single layer.

Sautéed Morel Mushrooms / Bitterroot Info

Cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes, then stir occasionally for 5-7 minutes more until golden brown and tender.

Add salt, pepper and minced garlic or shallot in the last minute of cooking, and serve.

For richer versions, add a little cream or white wine and cook 2-3 minutes longer until slightly reduced.

Garnish with parsley, chive, or finely chopped green onion.

---

---

A Few Morel Mushroom Facts

There are many species of morel mushrooms within the genus Morchella.

Although there’s some disagreement about exactly how many species exist, some say there are 21 species in North America and more than 60 species around the world.

Morel mushrooms can vary widely in color, shape and size.

Morels – Jena Fuller

The predominant morel mushroom species in Montana include Morchella esculenta (Yellow) and Morchella elata (Black).

Morels are difficult to cultivate and most are harvested in the wild.

Morel mushrooms should always be cooked thoroughly before eating.

---

---

---

---

---