Morel mushroom facts

Morchella is an edible mushroom which has an appearance of honeycomb in the upper portion which consists of network ridges with pits. It is hollow. The bottom portion hangs from the whitish stalk. Morels differ in size and shape. Cylindrical to cone shapes morels are the most common ones. Round morels and pencil shaped morels are not common.

Name	Morel Mushroom
Scientific Name	Morchella spp.
Native	It is found all over the Northern Hemisphere especially in North America, Europe, Central America and Asia.
Common/English Name	Common morel, yellow morel, morel, morel mushroom, true morel, sponge morel and sponge mushroom
Name in Other Languages	West Virginia: molly moochers Kentucky: hickory chickens Finnish: huhtasieni
Plant Growth Habit	In forested areas around dead apple trees, elm trees, under wood scraps, Sycamore and Ash trees.
Soil	Moist, sandy
Stem	Hollow, thick, stout, white; Length: 2″ – 4″, Thickness: ¾” – 1 5/8″
Stalk	White – cream color
Spores deposit	Elliptical, smooth, deep cream-yellowish, located in pits
Fruit shape & size	Honeycomb or sponge, Height: 3-5 inches
Fruit color	Light tan, gray and black
Flesh color	White
Cap shape and size	Rounded, subglobose – ovoid, Height: 1-4 inches (2.5-10 cm)
Cap color	Cream, tan, gray-brown or black
Flavor/aroma	Earthy, nutty, steak
Varieties/Types	Black morels Half-free morels Yellow morels
Fruit Season	Spring
Major Nutritions	Iron, Fe 8.04 mg (100.50%) Copper, Cu 0.412 mg (45.78%) Vitamin D (D2 + D3) 3.4 µg (22.67%) Phosphorus, P 128 mg (18.29%) Manganese, Mn 0.387 mg (16.83%) Zinc, Zn 1.34 mg (12.18%) Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 0.135 mg (10.38%) Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 1.486 mg (9.29%) Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) 0.09 mg (6.92%) Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) 0.29 mg (5.80%)
Health Benefits	Iron deficiency Cognitive health Treat Arthritis Thyroid health Bone health Enhance mood Liver ailments Cure diarrhea Supports vision Maintains cholesterol
Calories in 1cup (66 gm)	20 Kcal.
Traditional uses	Morels are used in traditional Chinese medicine in order to treat excess phlegm, indigestion, shortness of breath and croup.
Precautions	One should properly identify the morel species. Morels can be harmful when poorly cooked with an experience of neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms. Morels may cause food poisoning in some people. Some Morels are toxic which may lead to death of a person. Some people might experience allergic reactions with the consumption of Morels.
How to Eat	Morels could be prepared with wine sauces or cream and serve a side dish to meats. It could be deep fried, sautéed and dried. Morel mushrooms could be served as an appetizer. Sear the morels in the oil by adding shallots, minced onion, garlic, butter and soy sauce. Morels could be added to wine sauce, soups, stews and pasta. Morels could be fried by dipping in the egg and rolling in the butter. It could be fried with flour and butter. It can be sautéed with oil and garlic.
Other Facts	Morels are rare and edible. Morels can be dried and kept for future use.