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Introduction to Candy Caps
Buy Candy Caps Mushroom online. The candy cap mushroom, scientifically known as Lactarius rubidus, is a small, orange-brown mushroom that is native to the western coast of North America. Sometimes referred to as the maple mushroom, it gets its name from its distinct sweet, maple syrup-like aroma and flavor.
Candy caps have an interesting history and origin. They have been harvested and consumed by Native American tribes for centuries, especially among tribes living in northern California. The Pomo tribe are known to have used candy caps for food and medicine. Candy caps were first scientifically documented in the 1860s.
In appearance, candy caps are small, with caps that reach 2-4 cm wide. They have a convex and flattened shape. The color ranges from reddish-cinnamon to orange-brown. The gills underneath the cap are attached. Fresh candy caps feel moist with a sticky surface. As they dry, the surface becomes matte and chalky.
The distinguishing characteristic of the candy cap mushroom is its sweet, maple fragrance, sometimes described as maple syrup, butterscotch, or even brown sugar. This aroma intensifies as the mushrooms dry. The flavor is earthy and mildly sweet, with notes of maple, caramel, and butterscotch.
Habitat and Growing Conditions of Candy Caps Mushroom
The candy cap mushroom, whose scientific name is Lactarius fragilis, is native to the west coast of North America. Its natural habitat stretches from British Columbia in Canada down to California.
Candy caps thrive in coastal forests and wooded areas where conditions are damp and humid. They prefer growing under conifer trees like pine, spruce, and fir in sandy soil that has lots of decomposing plant matter.
The climate of the candy cap’s native range is cool and wet for most of the year. They fruit prolifically during the rainy fall and winter months. Warm sunny days followed by chilly nights create ideal fruiting conditions.
When cultivating candy caps, it’s best to replicate their native climate. They grow well outdoors in areas with mild, rainy weather. Indoors, maintaining consistent humidity around 80-90% and temperatures from 50-60°F is recommended. Candy caps also need an acidic substrate between pH 5-6.
Culinary Uses
Buy Candy Caps Mushroom online. The candy cap mushroom is highly prized for its unique maple syrup flavor and aroma. This makes it a versatile ingredient in both sweet and savory dishes.
Common Dishes and Preparations
Candy caps are often used dried and powdered as a seasoning. Just a small amount of powder can impart a pronounced maple flavor. The powder is delicious when sprinkled on oatmeal, yogurt, ice cream, pancakes, French toast, and more.
Buy Candy Caps Mushroom online. Candy caps can also be steeped in hot liquids to make maple flavored drinks like coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and lattes. Add the mushrooms to cream or milk when making maple pudding, custard, or candy cap ice cream.
For savory dishes, candy caps pair well with nuts, root vegetables, brussels sprouts, acorn squash, sweet potatoes, winter squash, pork, and game meats like venison. The earthy maple flavor beautifully complements these foods. Candy caps can be mixed into the dish or used as a garnish.
Pairings with Foods and Beverages
Candy cap powder blends wonderfully with vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, clove, allspice, nutmeg, and fall spices like pumpkin pie spice. It also complements bourbon, rum, wine, brandy, port, and beer.
Some delicious food and drink pairings include:
- Candy cap latte
- Candy cap ice cream with pecan praline
- Candy cap & vanilla panna cotta
- Pork tenderloin with candy cap maple glaze
- Candy cap bread pudding
- Candy cap hot toddy
The possibilities are endless with this uniquely flavored mushroom! A little bit of candy cap can transform both sweet and savory recipes into gourmet maple-accented treats.
Nutrition and Health Benefits
Candy caps are loaded with nutrients and potential health benefits. Here’s an overview of their nutritional profile:
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Low in calories – Candy caps are 90% water by weight, making them a low-calorie food. A 100 gram serving contains just 38 calories.
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High in fiber – Candy caps provide 5 grams of dietary fiber per 100 gram serving. The fiber is a combination of insoluble forms like chitin and beta-glucans and soluble forms like pectin. Fiber supports digestive health.
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Source of B vitamins – Candy caps contain a number of B vitamins including riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, and folate. These vitamins help convert food into energy and support nervous system function.
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Contains antioxidants – Research shows candy caps are rich in antioxidant compounds like phenols, flavonoids, and tocopherols. Antioxidants help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the body.
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Provides minerals – Candy caps contain minerals like potassium, phosphorus, zinc, and copper. These minerals support bone health, blood cell formation, enzyme function, and other important processes.
In addition to their nutritional benefits, some studies suggest candy caps may offer medicinal properties:
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Anti-inflammatory effects – The antioxidants in candy caps demonstrate anti-inflammatory activities which may help reduce risk factors for chronic diseases.
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Antimicrobial properties – Extracts from candy caps have been shown to inhibit the growth of certain bacteria, yeasts, and fungi in lab studies. This antimicrobial activity could potentially be used to preserve foods.
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Supports immune function – Compounds in candy caps may enhance immune cell activity and offer protective effects against viruses and other pathogens. More research is needed in this area.
While the medicinal benefits are promising, more human studies are needed to fully confirm the potential health effects of candy caps mushrooms.
How to Harvest Candy Caps
Candy caps are ready to harvest when their caps start to curl under, usually a few days after a rainfall. The caps will be firm but have a little give when gently squeezed.
Tools Needed
To harvest candy caps, you’ll need:
- A small basket or bag
- Gardening shears or a knife
- Paper bags or cardboard boxes to store the mushrooms
- Optional: gloves and a small brush
Harvesting Techniques
When harvesting candy caps, be gentle and avoid yanking or twisting the mushrooms. Here are some tips:
- Cut the stem near the base using shears or a knife. Try to leave some stem attached to the cap.
- Use both hands to gently lift the mushroom from underneath.
- Brush off any dirt, leaves, or debris using a soft brush or your fingers.
- Place each harvested mushroom cap-side down in your basket or bag.
- Once home, lay the candy caps gill-side up on paper to dry. Place them in a single layer and don’t overcrowd.
Candy caps are very delicate and bruise easily. Take care not to squash them during harvesting and transportation. Harvest during dry weather if possible, and aim to pick all mature mushrooms from an area at one time.
Drying and Storing Candy Caps
Proper drying and storage of candy cap mushrooms is crucial for maximizing their shelf life and preserving their unique maple flavor.
Drying Methods
There are a few recommended methods for drying candy caps:
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Air drying – Spread the mushrooms out in a single layer on mesh racks or trays. Make sure they are in a warm, dry area with good airflow. Turn the mushrooms periodically and allow to dry for 1-2 weeks until completely dehydrated.
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Using a food dehydrator – Arrange the mushrooms on dehydrator trays and dry at 95-115°F for 6-12 hours, checking periodically, until crispy. Rotate the trays and shuffle the mushrooms around for even drying.
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Oven drying – Place mushrooms on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at the lowest temperature, ideally 95-115°F with the oven door propped open. Dry for 6-12 hours, checking often, until thoroughly dried.
No matter the drying method, the mushrooms should be dried until very lightweight and crispy with no moisture left. When dried properly, candy caps will snap when bent rather than bend.
Proper Storage
To maximize shelf life, properly stored dried candy caps will last 6 months up to 1 year. Recommended storage methods include:
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Storing in airtight glass jars or resealable plastic bags, squeezing out excess air.
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Keeping jars/bags in a cool, dark place like a pantry or cupboard. Avoid heat, light, and moisture.
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For maximum freshness, store candy caps in the refrigerator or freezer. The cold helps preserve the flavor and aroma.
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Check periodically for moisture buildup, which can cause mold. If any moisture develops, return to the dehydrator or oven briefly.
With the right drying and storage techniques, the unique maple, butterscotch notes of candy caps will stay preserved for many months to come. Proper care allows you to enjoy their sweet flavor whenever a recipe calls for it.
Growing Candy Caps
Candy caps are relatively easy to cultivate at home with some basic knowledge of mushroom cultivation techniques. The main steps are obtaining spores, preparing a suitable substrate, and maintaining the right environmental conditions.
Spores
The reproductive cells of candy caps are contained in the spores. These microscopic, dust-like particles allow the mushrooms to propagate. Spores can be purchased online from specialty mushroom supply stores. Make sure to get spores specifically for Lactarius rubidus, the scientific name for candy caps.
Substrate
Candy caps form symbiotic relationships with certain tree roots, typically pine, spruce, and fir trees. When growing at home, an appropriate substrate should try to mimic these natural conditions. A sawdust/wood chip mix supplemented with some bran works well. The substrate provides nutrients for the mycelium, the threadlike vegetative part of the fungus.
Conditions
Buy Candy Caps Mushroom online. Candy caps require cool, moist, shady conditions to fruit. Ideal temperatures are around 60-70°F. Humidity should be kept high, around 80-90%. Light is not necessary during the growth phase. Once pins start forming, some indirect sunlight can help with development.
Cultivation Techniques
There are a few common methods to grow candy caps:
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Spores can be combined with sterilized, hydrated substrate in mushroom grow bags with tiny holes for air exchange. These are kept in cool, humid areas until flush.
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Wood chip beds outdoors in the shade also provide good conditions for spores to take hold and generate large yields over several seasons.
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Small indoor mushroom growing kits are available for candy caps as well. These boxed kits come with instructions for at-home cultivation.
Proper sterile technique is important when working with spores and substrate to prevent contamination. Following the specific moisture, temperature, and humidity requirements of candy caps takes some practice but can result in successful flushes.
Purchasing and Cooking with Candy Caps
Candy caps are not commonly found in grocery stores, but can be purchased online or from specialty mushroom growers and foragers. When buying candy caps, look for plump, unbroken mushrooms with intact caps. The fresher the better, as the maple aroma fades over time.
Dried candy caps can be purchased year-round. Opt for whole dried mushrooms, rather than crumbled pieces. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. Properly dried candy caps will retain their signature maple fragrance for up to a year.
When preparing candy caps for cooking, start with fresh mushrooms if possible. Clean them gently with a soft brush or cloth. Don’t wash them under water. The caps can be left whole, sliced, or chopped depending on the recipe. Remove any dirt or debris on the stems before using.
For dried candy caps, soak in warm water for 20-30 minutes before use. Save the soaking liquid, which absorbs the maple flavor. Use it for sauces, broths, marinades, and more. Chop or grind rehydrated mushrooms as needed.
Candy caps pair wonderfully with both sweet and savory dishes. Their sweet maple notes complement vegetables, grains, herbs, nuts, poultry, red meats, desserts, and more. Get creative with candy caps in pancakes, biscuits, cream sauces, soups, teas, and anywhere else you want a touch of maple sweetness.
Candy Cap Pairings
The unique maple syrup flavor of the Candy Cap mushroom makes it extremely versatile in the kitchen. Here are some of the best pairings and uses for Candy Caps:
Baked Goods
Candy Caps pair wonderfully with anything sweet. Add them to cookies, cakes, muffins, scones, or quick breads. Their sweet flavor complements and enhances the sweetness of the baked good. They are especially delicious in spice cookies or carrot cake.
Desserts
Use dried Candy Caps to infuse custards, ice cream, pudding, or rice pudding. The mushrooms impart a lovely maple note without being overpowering. Candy Caps also work well chopped up in fruit crisps and crumbles.
Beverages
Candy Caps make an excellent addition to hot drinks like coffee, hot chocolate, chai tea, or apple cider. Add some mushroom powder or use syrup infused with Candy Caps. For cold drinks, use Candy Cap syrup in milkshakes or smoothies.
Savory Dishes
The maple flavor pairs well with earthy foods like squash, sweet potatoes, carrots, parsnips, and nuts like walnuts or pecans. Candy Caps complement roasted or glazed vegetables, soups, and savory waffles or pancakes. They also enhance the flavor of oatmeal and cream of wheat cereals.
Herb and Spice Combinations
Candy Caps work well with fall spice flavors like cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and ginger. Fresh herbs like thyme, sage, or rosemary also complement them. Sweet onions, shallots, or leeks enhance the maple notes.
Other Flavors
Maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, butter, cream, bourbon, rum, and wine all pair nicely with Candy Cap mushrooms. Try them in a mushroom bourbon glaze over meats or add vanilla candy cap syrup to cocktails.
Conclusion
Candy caps are a unique and flavorful mushroom that deserve more recognition. This mushroom is unlike any other, with its distinctive maple syrup or burnt sugar taste. While they may seem obscure, candy caps have many excellent culinary uses and provide some health benefits as well.
Throughout this article, we covered key information about this mushroom’s ideal growing conditions, how to harvest and store it, different recipe ideas, and more. Some key takeaways include:
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Candy caps thrive in coastal regions with moisture and prefer growing on certain trees like tanbark oak. They have a short fruiting season in the fall.
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Both the caps and stems are edible. Fresh candy caps can be used right away, but drying helps intensify the sweet flavor. Proper drying and storage is important.
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The maple, caramel notes pair wonderfully with desserts, ice cream, syrups, teas, and more. They can also complement savory dishes.
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Candy caps contain antioxidants and may support immune health, though more research is still needed. They are low in calories and fat.
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Foraging from the wild or growing your own candy caps provides the freshest mushrooms. Dried candy caps can also be purchased online or at specialty stores.
With their one-of-a-kind flavor, candy caps are a mushroom worth seeking out. Whether you forage, grow, or buy them, candy caps can be a fun and tasty ingredient. Their sweetness adds something special to both sweet and savory recipes. Buy Candy Caps Mushroom online and also checkout 100ML 1P-LSD Microdosing Kit.
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