Cooking applications
Grifola has pleasant taste and aroma, so it should be added as a component of many dishes from meat, fish and vegetables.
Miso soup
Miso soup is one of the popular traditional Japanese dishes.
Its preparation:
- Bring 2 liters of water to a boil, add 4 tbsp. l. special pasta for miso, 2 tbsp. l. soy sauce, and then - up to 400 g of meitake mushrooms, 2 pcs. leeks, 7-10 scallions, tofu cubes, nori seaweed pieces.
- All ingredients are brought to a boil for 2 minutes.
- To add flavor, it is allowed to add 3 tbsp. l. rice wine.
Fried chicken breasts with meitake and wine sauce
Cooking sequence:
- Rub 800 g of chicken breasts with a mixture of pepper and salt, then fry in oil for up to 8 minutes on the side where the skin is, then spread on a baking sheet.
- About 500 g of mushrooms are soaked in the remaining oil and placed next to the chicken to bake for half an hour.
- Melt 1 tbsp. butter, add 1 tbsp. l. flour, 110-120 ml of chicken broth, bring to a boil in a separate bowl.
- Pour in 250 ml of dry red wine, salt, pepper and sugar to taste. All this is boiled for 10 minutes.
Roast beef with meitake and soy cream sauce
We cook sequentially:
- 200 g of beef meat is cut into thin slices, sprinkled with salt and pepper.
- Prepare 150 g of mushrooms (while the meat is marinated).
- In a frying pan in 2 tbsp. l. vegetable oil for 4 minutes, fry the meat. Separately melt 10 g of butter, fry the mushrooms for 10 minutes. To the latter, spread the meat, fry for up to 10 minutes.
The benefits of sheep mushrooms and medicinal properties
The benefits of sheep mushrooms (curly griffins) for the body are very great. Even in the cooked version, they do not lose their useful qualities. These mushrooms provide very good support for the cardiovascular system and are used in the treatment of chronic fatigue, overwork, headaches and migraines. They strengthen the immune system, remove toxins from the body, and can also be used as an antiparasitic agent.
Possessing a number of useful medicinal properties, mushrooms have long been known to traditional healers and healers. Sheep mushroom powder and ointments are still used in the treatment of skin diseases and even for cosmetic purposes. The skin after such an ointment becomes matte and more elastic, pores are cleansed, elasticity increases and blood circulation improves.
The benefits of sheep mushrooms are due to the fact that the product is rich in vitamins and minerals that help in the treatment of many diseases. For example, curly griffin is useful for women during menopause to give a feeling of comfort.
Also, using this product, you can normalize hormonal processes in the body, while reducing the amount of fat in the body, and maintaining normal weight.
During menstruation, the ram mushroom helps relieve severe abdominal pain and get rid of the feeling of heaviness.
The ram mushroom also exhibits its medicinal properties in folk medicine. For example, if you dry mushrooms and then grind them to a powder state, then such a remedy does an excellent job with burns, ulcers and wounds that do not heal for a long time. During the treatment period, the powder is applied to the affected area of the body.
Sheep mushroom tincture helps in the fight against obesity, strengthens the immune system, and also prevents the development of cancer. To make it, you need to take three tablespoons of the dried mushroom, grind and fill completely with vodka. Pour the mixture into an airtight container and take it to a dark and not very warm room for infusion for exactly two weeks. Depending on the degree of the disease, you need to drink 1-3 teaspoons of tincture no more than three times a day, thirty minutes before meals. The course of treatment is about 3-4 months. Instead of vodka, you can use Cahors.
Oil using curly griffins promotes the breakdown of fats in the body.To prepare the product, you need to grind three tablespoons of dried ram mushroom and pour them with two and a half glasses of olive oil. Cork the mixture and take it to a room where the sun's rays will not penetrate, and where it will be cool enough. In two weeks, the remedy will be ready. The oil should be taken one and a half or three teaspoons three times a day, preferably half an hour before meals. The course of treatment lasts exactly three months, after which you need to take a break of ten days, and then repeat the treatment again.
Sheep mushroom powder can be used as a preventive measure. Grind the dried mushroom to make a powder. Then pour 1/2 gram of powder with two hundred milliliters of boiled water and set aside to infuse for about eight hours. This infusion must be consumed within a day, divided by three times. It is recommended to drink it twenty minutes before meals, after shaking it up so that the sediment rises. The preventive course lasts about three calendar months.
Mushroom ram, or curly griffin, helps to cure many serious diseases. However, before self-medication, you should seek the advice of a doctor.
Cooking use
From the caps of young mushrooms (edible only at a young age), you can prepare an independent dish, or include them in the recipe for soups, roasts, sauces. A powder is made from the dried mushrooms, which is used as an aromatic seasoning. Due to the high fiber content in the fruit body, moderate calorie content, an unusual, rich combination of taste and aroma, such dishes not only diversify the menu of fans of mushroom cuisine: they contribute to creating a feeling of satiety without overeating.
For the same reason, a number of weight loss diets recommend including meitake in the diet. The only requirement is mandatory heat treatment. Moreover, the beneficial substances contained in the pulp of the caps are preserved: 100 g of ready-made mushrooms is enough to provide 27% of the daily requirement for potassium, 30% for phosphorus, 81% for copper. And the amount of PP vitamins in 100 g of meitake exceeds the daily requirement by 9 times.
Drug Making and Application
From ancient times to our time, a powder made from dried mushrooms curly griffin has been used to treat open wounds, cuts, and burns that do not heal for a long time. Simply sprinkle the powder onto the open wound. You can also make your own oil tincture.
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Oil tincture
This drug will be especially appropriate for large infected wounds. The density of the oil will thoroughly fill the entire damaged area, creating a healing film. It is very easy to make such a medicine with your own hands:
- for 250 ml of olive oil, add 1.5 tablespoons of dry powder;
- mix well;
- put in a dark and cool place to infuse for about half a month (the product is harvested for future use).
It should be consumed 15 minutes before meals, after shaking it along with the sediment. This product is also excellent at breaking down fats, so it is often used in the treatment of obesity.
Home tincture
It is very easy to make a lamb mushroom tincture. The whole process fits into several steps:
- you need to take 5 teaspoons of powdered mushroom;
- pour 250 grams of vodka;
- mix well;
- then put in a dark and cool place for 14 days.
Mushroom broth
As a preventive measure, you can drink a decoction of curly griffins. You just need to pour 2 g of dried mushroom powder with warm water and let it brew overnight, then drink 100 g 15 minutes before meals. However, it should be remembered that you cannot self-medicate. And despite the seeming versatility in the treatment with the meitake mushroom, it is necessary to consult a doctor.This mushroom has practically no contraindications, it does not harm human health.
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The healing properties of the ram mushroom
The medicinal properties and use of griffins in medicine and cooking are due to its chemical composition. Organic compounds improve metabolism and normalize hormones. Phytoncides strengthen the vascular epithelium, increase the elasticity of red blood cells and prevent thrombus formation. Herbal ingredients remove toxins, reduce serum cholesterol levels.
due to its rich chemical composition, the mushroom has a positive effect on human health
The mushroom is appreciated due to the following action on the body:
- improves intracellular metabolism, increases the sensitivity of cells to glucose and insulin;
- prevents the development of cardiovascular pathologies, reduces the level of harmful cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL;
- reduces blood pressure;
- increases the activity of immunocompetent cells;
- improves the elasticity of blood vessels;
- prevents cancerous degeneration of cells;
- improves the functioning of the organs of the reproductive system;
- reduces negative hormonal changes during menopause, eases menstruation;
- starts the process of self-regulation of weight;
- reduces the risk of developing viral and bacterial lesions;
- stimulates cellular tissue renewal;
- improves the detoxification properties of hepatocytes, prevents cirrhosis.
The extract and powder created on the basis of maitake are used for pathologies of the cardiovascular and endocrine systems. The active substances in their composition suppress the growth of pathogenic pathogens, therefore, drugs can be taken for infectious and fungal diseases.
Due to its medicinal properties, griffin is actively used for the preparation of alternative medicine. Decoctions, infusions and tinctures are made from it. Honey extracts are used in cosmetics for the preparation of anti-aging, decongestants for the skin.
the mushroom has medicinal properties, but it also has contraindications that must be adhered to so as not to harm health
Cooking use
They do not eat a ram mushroom raw, it must be cooked or fried. Only young mushrooms are eaten, their pulp has a delicate structure, pleasant taste and aroma. Old specimens with dark spots are not eaten, since the flesh of the mushroom is tough and the taste is rancid (Figure 6).
A delicious meitake mushroom is fried, boiled, unrivaled sauces are prepared, and added to salads. In dried form, it has a more pronounced taste and aroma. And if you grind it, then it can be used as a seasoning for various dishes. There are a lot of recipes for dishes with griffin, and they are all surprisingly simple.
If you prefer to stew mushrooms, then first you need to clean them of dirt, rinse well under running water and cut into medium-sized pieces. Simmer in a frying pan or cauldron for 20 minutes in vegetable oil. Then you need to add onions, carrots, potatoes and your favorite spices and simmer everything together until tender.
Figure 6. This type of mushroom has a pleasant taste and is often used in cooking
Most mushroom lovers love fried mushrooms. To do this, boil the pure mushrooms for 20 minutes. Then fry until golden brown for about 15 minutes, then add onion or garlic, fry for another 10 minutes, and at the very end add sour cream, salt and spices to the preparation. It can be eaten as a stand-alone dish or used as a snack or addition to a side dish.
If you want to cook vegetable soup with curly griffin, then add it 15 minutes before the soup is ready. It will be especially tasty if you add processed cheese and dill to it.
Also, the ram mushroom can be used as a filling for pancakes.Cooking them is simple, according to the same recipe as the mushroom cakes. Served with sour cream.
You can also prepare a creamy mushroom sauce, for which you need to take: grifole (300 gr), butter (50 gr), sunflower oil (4 tablespoons), onions (1 pc.), Wheat or corn flour (1 tbsp), cream (300 gr) and salt to taste.
Cooking is carried out as follows:
- Cut the meitake into pieces, put in a frying pan with sunflower oil and fry until golden brown.
- Melt the butter, add flour and cream, stir well and cook over low heat until smooth.
- Add the fried mushrooms and cook for another 4 minutes and the creamy mushroom sauce is ready.
Healthy wine is also made from curly griffins. For this, only dry red wine is suitable. Add 3 tablespoons to the bottle. mushroom powder, shake and leave to infuse in a dark place for 2 weeks.
Consume 3 times a day, 1 teaspoon for 30 minutes. before meals for 3 months. Increases immunity and helps women to endure menopause easier.
You can find more information about this unusual representative of the mushroom kingdom in the video.
Where do they grow, in what forests
The natural habitat of maitake is deciduous forests in Asia, in particular in Japan, in the east of China and in the Caucasus. They are also found in some regions of the Russian Federation, as well as in North America. Most often, they choose stumps and old trees as their place of "residence", but sometimes, although quite rarely, a curly formation can be seen near a living deciduous tree.
In Southeast Asia, griffins are grown in specialized farms.
Where it grows in Russia
It is extremely rare to see this miracle in the forests of Russia. Moreover, this species is listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation. Single copies can occasionally be found in the western part of the Smolensk region. By the way, inexperienced mushroom pickers can walk near the maitake and not notice it. The fact is that "lambs" are easily disguised in the conditions of the surrounding space, because often this organism is similar to fallen leaves or tree growths.
The lamb mushroom lives on the stumps of broad-leaved trees
In order not to miss such a treasure in the forest, it is worth taking a closer look at the bases and stumps of deciduous trees. As a rule, griffins grow in symbiosis with larch, oak, maple and beech.
Sometimes "lambs" can be seen near apricots or cherries.
When and how to collect
It is interesting that although this mushroom grows rather quickly, it may not appear in the forests every year. The growing season of maitake falls in June-September, but experienced mushroom pickers advise against rushing to hunt.
The best time to harvest "rams" is the beginning of autumn. You should choose young specimens, as the old ones are fibrous and bitter. The young "bush" is carefully cut from the wood with a sharp knife so as not to damage the mycelium.
Chemical composition
Griffin curly mushroom (meitake) belongs to low-calorie foods, since its nutritional value is 31 kcal per 100 g. Water predominates in the composition of fruit bodies. Nutritional value of griffins
Name | Substance concentration in 100 g of mushroom, g |
Water | 90,37 |
Carbohydrates | 4,27 |
Alimentary fiber | 2,7 |
Protein | 1,94 |
Ash | 0,53 |
Fats | 0,19 |
Chemical composition of griffins
Name | Nutrient content per 100 g of mushroom, mg |
Vitamins | |
Choline (B4) | 51,1 |
Niacin (B3) | 6,59 |
Pantothenic Acid (B5) | 0,27 |
Riboflavin (B2) | 0,24 |
Thiamin (B1) | 0,15 |
Pyridoxine (B6) | 0,06 |
Calciferol (D) | 0,028 |
Folic acid (B9) | 0,021 |
Alpha-tocopherol (E) | 0,01 |
Macronutrients | |
Potassium | 204 |
Phosphorus | 74 |
Magnesium | 10 |
Calcium | 1 |
Sodium | 1 |
Trace elements | |
Zinc | 0,75 |
Iron | 0,3 |
Copper | 0,25 |
Selenium | 0,002 |
Amino acid composition of griffins
Name | Protein concentration in 100 g of mushroom, g |
Glutamic acid | 0,26 |
Aspartic acid | 0,21 |
Alanin | 0,12 |
Arginine | 0,1 |
Valine | 0,1 |
Serine | 0,1 |
Glycine | 0,09 |
Lysine | 0,09 |
Leucine | 0,08 |
Tyrosine | 0,07 |
Phenylalanine | 0,06 |
Proline | 0,06 |
Isoleucine | 0,06 |
Histidine | 0,05 |
Tryptophan | 0,04 |
Cysteine | 0,03 |
Methionine | 0,02 |
Polysaccharides, triterpenes, flavonoids, saponins, phytoncides, chitin, steroids, which have antibacterial, disinfecting, cleansing, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory effects on the body, are also found in the fruit bodies of griffins. They inhibit blood clotting, reduce capillary fragility, increase the elasticity of red blood cells, destroy pathogens, remove toxins, reduce cholesterol, regulate metabolism and normalize the immune system.
Mushroom ram: description, useful properties, where it grows
The ram mushroom has a truly gigantic size: at the base, it can reach half a meter. Grows in large colonies. Often its individual clusters are colossally heavy: they can weigh several kilograms. Externally, the mushroom is presented in the form of a large accumulation / aggregate of "pseudo-cap" mushrooms with clearly defined light legs. The so-called mushroom caps are gray in color: darker at the edges and lighter in the center. At the bottom, the caps have a porous tubular structure and are painted white. The pulp of the mushroom has a pleasant smell and a delicate, pronounced mushroom taste.
Remarkably, the mushroom grows very quickly (literally in a matter of days), but this does not happen every year. For example, if you cut a mushroom in one place, the likelihood that it will grow in the same place next year is minimal.
It is quite difficult to find a ram mushroom in the natural environment, since it is "armed" with excellent camouflage means: due to its color, the ram mushroom practically merges with the foliage, and in shape it very much resembles growths on trees. Therefore, in most cases, mushroom pickers, even experienced ones, pass by this wonderful mushroom.
As for the habitats of curly griffins, it can often be found near wild fruit trees such as cherry, apricot or plum. Also, the mushroom is very fond of dense forest plantations: with a careful and long search, it can be found growing in the warmth next to a maple or oak. Experts recommend going in search of the ram mushroom by the end of summer (with the onset of August and until the end of September).
Characteristic features of the variety
The ram mushroom is different from other mushrooms. The ram has many fan-shaped caps with short legs that form a bush. He will delight the mushroom picker with his weight, which reaches ten kilograms, while the diameter can be 80 cm.
The appearance of a ram mushroom
Photos and descriptions of this species of mushroom give a complete picture of its unusual structure. The body looks like a lot of fused mushrooms, the caps of which resemble sheets with uneven edges. At the same time, the legs are clearly distinguishable, they grow together into a dense bush of gray-green color.
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In the photo, it is noticeable that the ram's head mushroom grows at the roots of trees, and it can also be seen on stumps. The lamb mushroom is included in the International Red Book, as it is an endangered species.
Morphology
Meitake is sometimes confused with other similar types, so you need to pay attention to its external and internal features:
- the body of the fungus consists of a large number of small thin caps, which are attached to small legs and connect into one whole, smoothly branching;
- the cap is fleshy and leathery to the touch, the edges are uneven, wavy. Above it is grayish-green, and below it is white;
Mushroom cutaway
- the mushroom has a light flesh; it breaks easily, has a pronounced mushroom aroma and nutty flavor;
- spores look like white powder.
Place of distribution in Russia and other countries
Where this unusual rare species grows, deciduous trees are most common. It is often found in China, Japan, Korea, and also in the northeastern United States.In Russia, it can be found exclusively in the Far East of the country and in the Volga region, sometimes mushroom pickers find it in the Urals.
Eating
This type is used most often in a young form, when the pulp has not yet had time to darken. Adult fruits no longer have such a pleasant taste, although they themselves do not carry any harm. It belongs to the fourth category of edible mushrooms, so it is not recommended to add it to food raw, but should be boiled beforehand.
Meitake
Experienced mushroom pickers dry the ram mushroom, then grind it into powder and use it as a fragrant seasoning that goes well with fish dishes, meat, salads and broths. Basically, it is not used as a separate dish, but is added to soups, or delicious sauces are prepared.
Rules and places of collection
The ram mushroom grows in deciduous forests, found on stumps or near the base of a tree. Most often it is oak, maple and linden. They are rarely found in chestnuts and hornbeams. The most favorable period for collecting dancing mushrooms is August and September. They should be collected carefully, cutting from below with a sharp knife.
Attention!
It is worth remembering that this mushroom is very fragile.
How to cook maitake properly
- Curly griffin can be harmful due to the presence of a large amount of chitin in its composition. Therefore, it is not recommended to overeat it, as it can lead to an upset stomach.
- For the same reason, you should not introduce dishes based on it into the diet of young children.
- It is prohibited for women during pregnancy and during breastfeeding to use drugs based on this product, since there is not enough information about the safety of use during these periods.
- It is better to collect this medicinal mushroom away from busy roads, industrial enterprises and big cities. The reason is the active absorption and retention of harmful substances contained in water, soil, air.
Sheep mushroom is really very useful, but before you self-medicate, you need to consult your doctor.
The opinion that sheep mushrooms are dangerous or not suitable for food is erroneous, since it is based on complete ignorance of their nature and properties. They are completely safe, but in a reasonable amount. They contain quite a lot of chitin, which is why overeating maitake is highly discouraged.
If you want to grow mushrooms, do it further from the city. A suburban area remote from the city, or a manor house somewhere in a cozy village, is best suited. Thus, you will be sure that the product is absolutely harmless and environmentally friendly.
In the case of using maitake mushrooms for purely medical purposes, it is necessary to take into account some important factors that can become serious contraindications in some cases. Let's highlight the main ones:
- Sheep mushrooms, or drugs based on them, are used to lower blood pressure. If you suffer from low blood pressure, you will have to refuse appetizing griffin dishes;
- Doctors also do not recommend eating these mushrooms during breastfeeding. This is due to the fact that all their properties are not fully known, and how they can affect the health of the child;
- If you are taking medication for hypoglycemia (lowering blood sugar), it is also not recommended to eat sheep mushrooms. Poor compatibility of drugs with the minerals of the fungus can cause unpredictable consequences;
- Some people may develop an allergenic reaction to griffin. If you are not sure how your body will react to maitake, you better not try it.
Before using preparations based on maitake, or the mushroom itself for treatment, consult a specialist. Although maitake has a number of unique properties, and is practically not hazardous to health, a number of factors such as dosage, relevance, individual contraindications must be taken into account.
For food use, it is best to collect young curly griffin mushrooms, the photo of which you can see. Darkened ones are not bad either, but they can taste bitter. The nutritional value of maitake is approximately 30-35 kcal / 100 grams of product.
It is better to cook a dancing mushroom in a clear sequence:
- First, select young, not darkened mushrooms;
- Next, rinse them under running water, and carefully remove the top skin;
- Place in a pot of water and put on fire. The water should be about twice as much as the product. You need to cook over medium heat;
- During the cooking process, you will need to remove the foam 1 or 2 times;
Maitake is boiled for 8-18 minutes, from the moment the water boils. After such heat treatment, they can be used for cooking.
Maitake is often dried and stored in sealed glass containers. The dried product is also used for the preparation of various dishes, tinctures, spices.
Griffola powder is a very popular medicine for many diseases. Many take it during treatment and for prophylaxis.
Griffins are very versatile, and are widely used in almost every branch of medicine and cooking. That is why they are so highly valued in the world. Especially in China and Japan.
Cooking applications
Although the ram mushroom is often used as a medicine, it would be a sin not to use it as the main ingredient for creating culinary masterpieces. The mushroom can even become a complete main course.
Sheep mushroom is an excellent side dish for potatoes cooked in any way. Also, a dish made from mushrooms baked with shrimps will turn out to be very tasty. Sheep mushroom is used in various soups (it is often added to the famous miso soup), sauces.
Advice. If you cook curly griffin boiled, do not pour out the water after boiling the mushrooms in it, as it will turn into a rich and very aromatic broth, which can then be used to make a delicious soup or sauce.
The ram mushroom can be subjected to any heat treatment: it is fried, boiled, stewed and even steamed. The only thing to remember: the sheep mushroom is a very delicate product, so it is not worth keeping it on fire for a long time. For example, if you are preparing a soup, then you should throw the mushrooms 5-10 minutes before the end of its preparation.
Sheep mushroom can be used as a spicy and very tasty filling for dumplings and dumplings. By the way, quite often the sheep mushroom is used as an original and, most importantly, natural seasoning: for this, the mushrooms are dried, then crushed to a powder state. You can add seasoning made from mushrooms to vegetable salads, main dishes and even home-made drinks.
Fresh ram mushrooms cannot be stored for a long time: plucked, it must be cooked within 48 hours. In other cases, it is better to dry it thoroughly and use it as directed.
Now you know all the features of such an unusual ram mushroom for our region, and you can certainly not only find it, but also cook it correctly. Good luck and bon appetit!
The medicinal properties of lamb mushroom
Although curly griffin is not used in official medicine of the Russian Federation, it is actively used in many other countries of the world. In the United States, for example, lamb extract is often included in bioactive supplements. And in Chinese medicine it is in many cases an irreplaceable component.
Meitake preparations are useful in treating various forms of women's ailments
It is believed that "lambs" have a variety of medicinal properties. They can be helpful in treating:
- ailments of a bacterial and viral nature;
- inflammatory processes;
- tuberculosis;
- hepatitis C and B;
- decrease in bone density;
- diseases caused by a decrease in immunity;
- disturbances in the work of the nervous system;
- high blood pressure and cholesterol;
- chronic fatigue;
- diabetes mellitus;
- dermatological diseases;
- oncological diseases;
- metabolic disorders.
In Asian countries, mutton mushrooms are grown on tree trunks.
Miatake contains in different concentrations:
- vitamins of group B, D, E, PP;
- magnesium;
- iron;
- potassium;
- zinc;
- sodium;
- calcium;
- selenium;
- amino acids;
- polysaccharides;
- steroids;
- saponins;
- flavonoids;
- triterpenes;
- cellulose.
In its composition, scientists have found substances that act on the human body on the principle of acetylsalicylic acid and ibuprofen. This gives reason to consider the extract of "lambs" a natural pain reliever.
In oncology, maitake-based drugs are used as part of complex therapy. There is some research indicating that its extract can help break down malignancy. And lately, scientists have been saying that it may be useful in treating HIV as well.
In some regions, preparations based on griffols are used in the treatment of mastopathy, fibroids, cysts, uterine fibroids, as well as to relieve menstrual and climacteric symptoms. This product is believed to help normalize hormones in women.
Beauticians also paid attention to maitake. In the beauty industry, its extract is used to restore skin turgor and normalize water metabolism in it.
Cosmetics based on grifola have anti-inflammatory, soothing, antioxidant properties. They are useful for the care of aging skin.
By the way, for medical or cosmetic purposes, experts advise choosing young "lambs", since they contain useful substances in a higher concentration.
Maitake is able to reduce the negative effects of carcinogenic substances on the human body
For our region, curly griffin, like many other mushrooms growing on trees, is exotic. And not everyone dares to include such unusual gifts of the forest in their diet. Nevertheless, if you know how to recognize this organism in the forest and learn how to cook it correctly, it is possible that dishes made from "lambs" can become your favorites.
However, it is better not to forget that on the territory of the Russian Federation a ram is a very rare mushroom protected by law. And if you really want to try dishes from it, it is better to go to an oriental restaurant, where a specialist will offer the best delicacies from maitake specially brought from Asia.
Description of the appearance and geography of distribution
The ram mushroom looks like a giant representative of the Mushroom kingdom, which has absorbed dozens of small mushrooms. It has a large fruiting body, which can reach 40-50 (and sometimes 80) cm in diameter and weigh up to 10 kg. The shape can be either spherical or irregular. From the central part - a short thick "hemp", many thickened branching legs grow, which end in caps of various shapes: shovel-shaped, tongue-shaped, round and semicircular. The width of one such leg varies from 3 to 11 cm, and the thickness can be up to 1 cm.
Each cap of the griffin mushroom is curly, usually fleshy and leathery, with wavy edges, tapering to a wedge near the stem. The upper part of the cap becomes beige or gray-brown in color, while the lower surface is usually painted white. The fleshy part of the griffin is light, brittle in structure, characterized by a rich aroma and nutty flavor. Spores are usually ellipsoidal, the spore powder formed by them is white.
Irina Selyutina (Biologist):
The ram mushroom lives in deciduous and mixed forests at the base of the trunks of already old deciduous trees. Causes the appearance of white rot in trees.
By the way. Fruiting bodies are solitary, not formed every year.
Curly griffin is listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation, where it is assigned the 3rd category - a rare species. It is also included in the Red Data Books of the Oryol (category 1) and Lipetsk (category 3) regions. The species is prohibited from collection, much less destruction.One of the habitats of the species known to mycologists is located on the territory of the State Memorial and Natural Reserve “Museum-Estate of Leo Tolstoy“ Yasnaya Polyana ”.
The factors limiting (limiting) its distribution include:
- selectivity to the substrate;
- confinement to old-growth deciduous forests;
- habitat destruction due to deforestation;
- removal of fallen trunks;
- collection of fruit bodies by the population.
Other names are curly griffin, meytake, dancing mushroom, leafy tinder fungus, leafy tinder fungus, lamb head.