Dried Lactarius deliciosus / saffron milk cap / red pine mushroom

The Lactarius deliciosus is found under pine trees between the months of August and November. Lactarius deliciosus and all other orange-red milk mushrooms contain high levels of vitamins and minerals. In addition, these species are said to contain anti-cancer, antibiotic, and antiviral agents. Lactarius deliciosus are wild mushrooms and are thus not from regulated cultivation. They were collected in the northern forests of Spain and then dried.

The smell of Lactarius deliciosus is sweetish/fruity and the taste is very pleasantly aromatic. It is one of the best mushrooms suitable as a single dish.

That is why we think that Lactarius deliciosus goes best with the following dishes:

• with bread
• as a side dish

Why are dried mushrooms so expensive, relatively speaking, and what are the advantages of dried mushrooms?

Fresh mushrooms contain a lot of water and lose up to 90% of their weight when dried. This explains the higher price of dried mushrooms compared to fresh mushrooms. When soaked in water though, dried mushrooms expand to almost their normal size and both their taste and consistency remain nearly unchanged. One of the biggest advantages of dried mushrooms is their shelf life. If stored correctly, sufficiently dried mushrooms can be kept for several years without any noticeable loss of quality. However, it is important that the mushrooms are stored in an airtight container.