Foodies and chefs are going crazy over these mushrooms that smell like maple syrup
Maple syrups are a delicious syrup extracted from the sap of a maple tree. This sweet, thick, and syrupy condiment is often used for pancakes, waffles, French toast, oatmeal, or porridge. You may have even used it as an ingredient in baking and as a sweetener or flavoring agent.
Usually, maple syrups are taken from maple trees. What if we tell you that you can find them in mushrooms too? Wait, is that even possible?
This sweet, exotic, and exclusive mushroom is taking the culinary world by storm!
Candy Cap mushroom, also known as Curry Milk Cap mushroom is a very unique mushroom due to its smell. They are usually small to medium-size in shape and they have a distinct burnt orange color. Its cap shape ranges from broadly convex to slightly concave as it ages. They are also a member of the large milk-cap genus Lactarius that secrete a milky discharge when they are bruised or cut.
Candy cap mushrooms smell like maple syrups
Whenever we think about maple syrups, we imagine their buttery syrup and sweet fragrance. It’s the same way when you see this Candy cap mushroom. These small bright orange mushrooms are highly distinguishable due to their butterscotch or maple syrup scent.
Its unique sweet scent is a bit faint in fresh mushrooms, but it becomes stronger as it dries.
In fact, you can try drying it inside your home to create a strong aroma that will last for days or even months! If you want to transform your home into a candy paradise, you can forage these mushrooms underneath cone-bearing trees and hardwoods such as pine, spruce, and oak. You can always find them in groups or scattered throughout the trees. The best time to forage these fungi is during late autumn or early winter.
Why do Candy Caps smell like maple syrup?
Alright, we know that every one of you is curious about how fungi can smell like maple syrup. It actually catapulted to stardom due to the attention it gained from foodies and culinary experts. The answer to their distinct smell is quite simple.
Candy Cap mushrooms contain amino acids. These are combined to create a chemical called quabalactone III that when combined with water produces the distinctive maple syrup scent as it dries. Sotolon is the chemical produced during this process and it is actually used to create sugar-based products or “fake” maple syrup that you see on counters.
It’s truly amazing how Candy Caps can naturally create these
“fake” maple syrups
If you want to purchase one, you can find Dehydrated Candy Caps exclusively sold in specialty food shops. These tend to be expensive, so you may want to buy in bulk. You can use them as an alternative to sugar or as a flavor enhancer for bread, pancakes, and desserts.
Are Candy Caps a healthy alternative to sugar?
Most people believe that anything sweet is not good for your health. Candy Cap mushrooms are an exception to the rule. They are rich in B vitamins such as thiamine, riboflavin, and folate.
They are perfect for vegetarians!
These sweet mushrooms are low in calories and a great source of protein and fiber. You can use it as a natural sweetener and a flavor enhancer for your delicious desserts. Get your hands on one of these for a healthy alternative to sugar.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.