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Fairy ring mushrooms

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All about

FAIRY RING MUSHROOMS

The fairy ring mushroom (Marasmius oreades) is a small fungus that grows faithfully each year in large groups, often in circles in natural grasslands. It has a very thin stem, with a well-rounded cap made up of many gills.

It is an autumn and spring fungus, highly appreciated for its characteristic almond fragrance, its flavour and its very simple culinary uses. In Greek mythology, the mushroom was a food of choice for oreads – nymphs of the mountains and woods.

SEE ALL DEHYDRATED FAIRY RING MUSHROOMS

THE FAIRY RING, A MUSHROOM OF GREAT DELICACY

The fairy ring mushroom is highly appreciated for its delicate fragrance, reminiscent of almond. Its aromas are both pronounced (fungal notes) and refined.

HISTORY

The fairy ring mushroom is also known by the equally enchanting names of "pixie ring" or "elf ring" mushroom.

Shakespeare offered it its first distinction as he mentioned it in his play "The Tempest" in 1611, evoking the famous fairy rings where the grass is so bitter that sheep refuse to graze and on which these "midnight mushrooms" grow.

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Where does the fairy ring mushroom grow?

Fairy ring mushrooms are abundant in summer and autumn – usually in the prairies, though also in the undergrowth. It grows in groups and sometimes by creating circles known as fairy rings, or "witches' rings" in French. This mushroom belongs to the Marasmiaceae family. Easily recognisable by its cap spanning 2 to 5 cm in diameter, it is cream, pale ochre or a reddish-orange cream in colour. It has a hard and rather fibrous stem, which we recommend reserving for other culinary preparations.

HARVEST SEASON:

The fairy ring mushroom grows in the spring, in the early heat of natural grasslands in its characteristic circles, and offers up a second crop until early summer. It is rarely found in autumn after the rainy period.

FLAVOUR AND AROMA COMBINATIONS:

Spring fairy ring mushrooms are very tasty and rich in "umami" flavour – a valuable feature of the very best mushrooms.

Its aromas have been well characterised and make up a bouquet that remains very fine and delicate, with mixed notes of almond, cream and flour on the one hand, as well as fruity (citrus) and vegetal notes. It will therefore reveal all its flavour in a simple omelette.

This umami flavour deserves to be enhanced in combinations with other products rich in umami (such as ripe tomatoes or onions). The aromas of fairy ring mushrooms also invite you to experiment with daring aromatic pairings, especially with white meats (veal blanquette with fairy ring mushrooms).

NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS:

Like many wild mushrooms, the mushroom is a highly beneficial from a nutritional point of view. 100 grams of fresh fairy ring mushrooms or 15 grams of dried fairy ring mushrooms cover a large part of our copper and selenium requirements.

It is a very important microelement for our natural antioxidant system which protects our body from free radicals. These same 15 grams of dried fairy ring mushrooms also cover 50% of our iron and zinc requirements.

The mushroom is also noteworthy for its very easily assimilated proteins.

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DEHYDRATED FAIRY RING MUSHROOMS

In its dry state, the fairy ring mushroom exudes a very pleasant fragrance of bitter almond, concentrated through the drying process. Easy to use once rehydrated, the fairy ring mushroom makes for a real treat in an omelette or to liven up a sauce.

We recommend not using the stems of the fairy ring mushrooms, or reducing them to a powder to perfume your sauces. Tip: place the stems in a tea bag, dip them in the sauce during cooking and then remove (like a bouquet garni).

The dehydrated fairy ring mushroom truly stands out from its fresh counterpart as, during the drying process, it concentrates its fragrances and takes on intense fungal notes. The very strong flavour of the fairy ring mushroom makes it a "condiment mushroom" par excellence, for broths, white meats in sauce (veal blanquette, etc.), and fish en croûte or en papillote.

Mmmmm!

HOW DO YOU COOK THE FAIRY RING MUSHROOM?

Adding these mushrooms to sautéed potatoes with a little garlic and parsley during cooking is a great way to enhance a dish.

They are delicious in an omelette and can also be used in a fairy ring mushroom quiche.

Tomato recipes reveal an umami synergy between the fairy ring mushroom and the ripe tomato: fairy ring mushroom and tomato sauce, pizza with tomatoes and fairy ring mushrooms, etc.

Cream recipes: veal blanquette with mushrooms (white wine, lemon juice, cream, etc.).

OUR FAVOURITE FAIRY RING MUSHROOM RECIPES

Quiche with fairy ring mushrooms

Quiche with fairy ring mushrooms

Dried fairy ring mushrooms

Omelette with fairy ring mushrooms

Omelette with fairy ring mushrooms

Dried fairy ring mushrooms

DISCOVER + RECIPES WITH FAIRY RING MUSHROOMS
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