The King Bolete mushroom has a large following in many parts of the world and goes by many different names. Boletus edulis is referred to as Cep in France, Pennybun in England, and Stenpilz in Germany. In the U.S., it’s known as the King Bolete or Porcini.

If you were to make a list of the world’s most prized mushrooms, the King Bolete would be right up there at the top along with Morels and Chanterelles. The King Bolete is the most sought-after mushroom in many parts of the world by many different people.

Nowhere is that more evident then the countries of Europe. After the summer and fall rains, people take to the forests in droves in the hope to fill their baskets with these prized mushrooms. The King Bolete can be found locally in the Colville National Forest, Mount Spokane State Park, and the mountains of North Idaho.

There is no one time in the fall that is best to find King Boletes. A lot depends on when we get our fall rains in the Inland Northwest. I have found them as early as September and as late as November, and it can vary widely from year to year.

As far as where to look, Kings favor conifers (pine, spruce, hemlock and fir) but also grow with hardwoods such as oak and birch.

The Bolete mushroom family contains many other fine edibles besides the King Bolete, but there are also a few that are poisonous. The best ones to avoid are the ones with red pores that stain blue when cut.

Experienced mushroom hunters may try a small quantity the first time to see how their system reacts after identifying an edible bolete.

If after a full day of mushroom hunting you are lucky enough to bring home a basket of Kings, then you need to decide what to do with them. Fix them fresh or dry them to be used at a later date.

If you are going to fix your prized mushrooms fresh, you need to be aware that bugs are also fond of them. They tend to start at the base and eat their way up the stem and into the cap. I have a friend that says he doesn’t mind a few bugs; it just adds a little extra protein to the meal. I don’t think I will be joining him for a meal any time soon.

If you choose to dry your mushrooms, you can use a dehydrator or put them on screens in a warm, dry room. Do not use an oven, because they can become too hot and a lot of flavor can be lost.

When dry, store them in glass jars and they will last for several years. You can rehydrate the mushrooms by placing them in a bowl of warm water. Save the water as it makes a flavorful stock.

In case you are wondering, the King does have a Queen. You won’t find her in our local woods though. You will probably have to go to Northern California where she is off visiting other Boletes. Some say the Queen has a better flavor then the King. That is if you are able to find her.

Happy hunting.

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No single wild mushroom has captured the hearts and minds of the American public like the morel. Finding the first one of the season is just as exciting as finding the first buttercup after a long winter. Morel season can start as early as January in California and go into July in the Rocky Mountains as spring marches north.

Here in Eastern Washington and North Idaho, the peak time can be anywhere from April into June, depending on temperature and moisture. I have found morels to be very fussy mushrooms. They don’t like it hot or cold or too wet. They are almost like a three-year-old child in that regard. I have been in areas where they will do really well one year and then the next year, nothing.

How to Identify

There is plenty of debate about the number of morels in the genus morchella. The two most common in our area are morchella elata (black morel) and morcella esculenta (yellow morel). We do have a few other ones around, so a good guide book would be helpful to have when you go on your fungus foray into the woods.

In early spring, we can also find verpa bohemica (early morel). A verpa looks like a thimble stuck on a finger. This species is not considered to be a true morel since the cap hangs from the apex of the stem, whereas in a true morel the cap is attached to the stem. Verpa is edible with caution; it should be eaten in moderation and must be well cooked. Verpa usually show up a week to a month before the regular morels.

Before you go out mushroom hunting, make sure you know the difference between the morels and the false morels. That is where a good book will come in very handy. A great paperback to have for your backpack is “All That The Rain Promises and More,” by David Arora.

where To Find

Morels can occur singly or in small clusters. They can blend in with their surroundings very well. When out looking for these mushrooms, the first one is always the hardest to find. Once the image is burned into your brain, it makes it easier to find other ones.

Keep looking in the area where you found the first one, and you more than likely will find others. It has been said that the best place to look for morels is the year after a forest fire. That may be true for some areas, but I have found over the years that it is not a 100 percent guarantee of finding them.

Best place to find morels in the Inland Northwest? This is one question you never want to ask a serious mushroom hunter, because they will never tell you their perfect spots, much like an angler or huckleberry picker not wanting to reveal the location of her secret fishing hole or berry patch.

How to Prep and Cook

When cleaning your morels for either cooking or drying, be sure to cut them in half lengthwise to check for any bugs within the hollow confines of the stem and cap. You probably won’t find any, but it is always better safe than sorry. You don’t want any little hitchhikers ruining your meal.

Morels dry really well and retain their rich, full flavor. Slice them in half and put them on a screen in a warm room, use a dehydrator, or even place them outside on a warm sunny day. Once they are fully dried, they can be put in glass jars and their flavor can last for many years.

This mushroom hunter will wish you happy hunting, and remind you to make sure you are 100 percent certain of a mushroom’s identity before you try any wild mushroom.

A yellow morel (left) versus a false morel (right). // Photos: Rich Leon

Find more stories about foraging for morels in the OTO archives.

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• When you find a patch of berries, first check for bear scat and upturned rocks. 
• If you see a bear, slowly back away and leave the area; don’t run. 
• Avoid picking berries in the early mornings or late evenings when bears are more active.  
• Make noise. A bear bell works but talking loudly or singing is just as effective. Keep up conversation with your huckleberry-loving friends and family to pass the time and keep the bears aware of your presence. 
• Remain aware of your surroundings. Use your senses of sight, smell, and sound. 
• Assume every bear is a hangry mama. Do not get between a bear and berries, or between a female bear and her cubs. 
• Bring bear spray and know how to properly deploy it in case of an encounter with a charging bear. Keep spray easily accessible, but be sure kids do not play with it. Review online resources to learn how to use bear spray, including Bebearaware.org and online instructional videos from the National Park Service or Backpacker.com.  

Originally published as “Bears Love Berries: Be Bear Aware” in the April 2020 print issue.

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The mountain huckleberry is the most widely harvested western huckleberry, although the Inland Northwest region also sustains the dwarf and Cascade huckleberry. The easiest way to know for sure is to look for the little crown on the top like you see on a blueberry. 

Huckleberries love open and recently cleared areas, so places near logging roads or on open ski slopes are usually fruitful places to search. Dates of ripeness vary, but be ready to harvest in early July. Peak season is typically mid-July to early August. The huckleberry has resisted domestication, and because it lacks a centralized dense root system it doesn’t take much to damage a plant. Be gentle and stick to picking by hand. 

Mt. Spokane State Park and Priest Lake have some great picking, even at lower elevations. The Washington Trails Association also suggests the Salmo-Priest loop (Selkirks), Panjab Trail (Blue Mountains), and Kettle Crest South (Okanogan Highlands). Check out the WTA website for other options in the North Cascades and near the Columbia Gorge. Schweitzer Mountain Resort is also a great place to hunt for huckleberries; bring your own bucket and check Schweitzer.com for parking, hiking, and lift ride details. 

Foraging Tips

• Don’t wear shorts and sandals: your feet and legs will get scratched up. If there has been any rain whatsoever in the past 24 hours, the plants will still have water on them that will soak your clothing—so be prepared for that. 
• Wear a hat: Prevent sunburn and allow yourself to see without needing sunglasses to make it easier to find berries. 
• Use a hands-free container: I use a gallon milk jug with the top cut off and a strap that can go through the handle and hang off my neck or around my waist. My friend uses protein shake containers—with a small opening at the top, kids are less likely to spill that hard-earned bounty. I also bring gallon freezer bags, which pack small and can store berries once a jug is full. 
• Bug spray is a must: Gnats can ruin huckleberry picking on a beautiful day. If you use DEET, expect to eat it later in your berries, so consider natural repellant products. 
• Wear layers: You never know if it is going to be sweltering hot in the sun or cold from the clouds, shade, and breeze. 
• Bring snacks, water, sunscreen, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer. This last one will help in cleaning berry stains off fingers.

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