Truffle oils have also become popular in recent years. Truffles can range from strawberry- to apple-sized and have a multitude of peculiar odors that makes them flavorful ingredients in many recipes. They don’t have a long shelf life, either, so they’re hard to store. California is among the few regions that can sustain truffles. Just as delicious as chocolate truffles, these edible mushrooms grow near tree roots and are very expensive due to their rarity. Corals are simple to cook and tend to have a peppery flavor that makes them ideal for sauces and soups. The variety has thin stalks with a crown shape at the top that is usually yellow or slightly pink in color. These mushrooms are known to cure stomach problems, as they have a strong laxative effect and can be consumed both raw and cooked. As their name implies, coral mushrooms grow in clusters that resemble a coral reef. Coral MushroomsĪlso referred to as crown tipped coral, this exotic fungus is a wild variety commonly found between June and September. Their texture and flavor are similar to those of chicken, hence the name.
Chicken of the woods mushrooms are also among the tastiest varieties and are beginner-friendly, as they are quite easy to cook. Chicken of the woods along with porcinis, morels, and chanterelles are often referred to as the “foolproof four”-they are very easy to identify in the wild and do not have toxic properties, making them the ideal choice to explore in the kitchen. Laetiporus sulphureus typically grow in clusters and are yellow or bright orange. This succulent mushroom variety is a must-try while in California.