Stories from the north
Chanterelles – the gold of the forest
Chanterelles are called ”kantareller” in Swedish, and are beloved amongst many Swedes. The peak-season is early autumn, when you can find almost every other Swede out in the forest looking for the gold.
Chanterelles are popular and easy to recognize
Chanterelles are one of the most popular mushrooms in Sweden. They are easy to spot in the forest since they are bright golden-yellow, and often pop up in groups on the same spots year after year. Their specific looks – the way they’re shaped and colored – are quite unique, which makes them hard to mix up with other mushrooms. In other words: it’s easy to head out and pick chanterelles!
Another thankful thing about the mushroom is their love of sunlight. They thrive in mixed and bright forests, and they often grow by the side of the forest path. So you don’t have to walk far into a dark, thick forest to find them – sometimes you can pick a whole basket full of them without having to deviate from the path.
What to bring on a chanterelle-hike?
If you’re going on a chanterelle-hike, you don’t need much to have a lovely time. Make sure the weather is nice, so you don’t have to walk in the rain, and that you’re heading out during the right season. Chanterelles grow between July to October, and the chances of finding them are bigger during late summer and the beginning of autumn.
So – what to pack? Well, you can pack whatever you want to a lovely mushroom-walk in the forest, but we recommend the following:
- water to drink
- kanelbulle or some other sweet snack
- coffee, or a hot beverage of you liking
- a separate basket for the mushrooms
- a camera or your phone to take some nice pictures
- a blanket or similar to sit on when taking a break
- a friend for company
Best way to find chanterelles
Finding chanterelles doesn’t have to be a hard challenge – here’s what to look for to find plenty of them:
- bright places in the forest
- mixed forest (not a thick pine tree forest)
- look closely to the path you’re walking on
- if you’ve found chanterelles on one spot before, it’s likely to find them there again
- golden yellow clusters of mushrooms!
And of course there are several delicious ways to cook chanterelles. The most classic – and easy – dish is butter-fried chanterelles on toast. Another is to make a warm side sauce on chanterelles, especially delicious together with meatballs and potatoes.
Last but not least: good luck on you chanterelle hunt!
