Bedle, a delicious mushroom with several BUT… Read what to watch out for when collecting and eating them!

For children’s imagination, beds can look like large parasols under which forest elves will hide. For adults, they mean a great culinary treat to enjoy!

In this article, you will learn which species are edible, which ones are not, and what to watch out for when choosing, processing and consuming them!

Be sure to read our article before visiting the forest so you don’t miss out!

What is a bed?

This type of mushroom has a specific height and an even more specific hat that resembles snake skin.

We can find both growing individually and in clusters. It is not typical for them to grow in the forest, rather they are found in pastures, the edges of paths, gardens, parks and on fire pits.

Bedleys are considered gourmet mushrooms in Europe, prized for their large size and highly sought after in the wild because they cannot be grown on a large scale.

These mushrooms are rich in vitamin D, iron, zinc, copper, selenium, fiber, amino acids and also have antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.

What does an edible bedbug look like and how can you identify it?

• This type of mushroom grows throughout the summer until the first winter frosts.
• Their size is typical for these mushrooms. Hats are medium to large. Their size ranges from 10 to 25 centimeters.
• Hats are perched on a stem that can grow up to 40 centimeters.
• Young mushrooms have a light brown hat that resembles an egg in shape and has a small light brown bump on the tip.
• The older the fungus, the more the cap opens until it is completely flat and the brown bump tears and forms scales all over the cap.
• Under the hat, we find white petals and an ivory-colored stem that resembles snakeskin in texture.
• On the stem we find a ring that is double.
• When cooked, mushrooms have a mild and rich umami flavor. The aroma is nutty and sweet, some say it resembles maple syrup. This flavor becomes more intense as the mushroom ages and more pungent if the mushroom is dried.

Types of edible bedel

She was high

1. This is the most popular variety of this mushroom.
2. It occurs on the edges of forests, meadows and pastures.
3. The hat is light brown and distinctly scaly.
4. In young mushrooms, we can find white scales that become mottled brown with age.
5. The pulp of the mushroom is white when cut open, unchanging in color with a pleasant nutty aroma.
6. This mushroom makes the best fried cutlets.

Bedla blushing

1. We do not find this mushroom, except in typical places, also in deciduous and coniferous forests.
2. Her hat has reddish-brown scales that come from a cinnamon-colored bump on the tip of the hat.
3. The pods are creamy white and turn red when cut.
4. The flesh is white, when cut it quickly changes color to shades of orange to red. Later it turns brown.
5. This is an edible mushroom, BUT it can cause indigestion in more sensitive individuals!

Garden beds

1. It does not occur very often, if we find it in a larger cluster and especially on the subm.
2. The cap can grow up to 20 cm and is typically cinnamon-scaly.
3. The leg of the mushroom is smooth, whitish with a brown ring. After cutting, it turns orange to ocher.
4. The pith is creamy and turns orange when cut.
5. It has a pleasant mushroom taste and smell.
6. The mushroom is edible, BUT it can cause indigestion in more sensitive individuals!

Which bed bug is poisonous?

Bedle sharp-scaly (rough)

1. This mushroom grows in parks, along forest paths or in compost.
2. The cap is smaller, measuring 5–16 cm in diameter, its color is cream and scaly.
3. Dandruff disappears with age.
4. On the leg, we find a large prominent ring that cannot be moved and is brown in color.
5. The pulp of the mushroom is white with an unpleasant pungent smell and a sour taste.
6. This is an inedible, poisonous bed!

Bedle snoring (deceptive)

1. We can find it near deciduous trees in a larger group.
2. The hat is white. Brown to reddish-brown scales are scattered on it.
3. On the leg we find a similarly colored ring.
4. The pulp is white with a pleasant fruity aroma.
5. An important aspect to look out for is the small ring that distinguishes it from other edible species.
6. This is a poisonous and dangerous mushroom!

What to do with the bed?

Bedly must ALWAYS be boiled before consumption.

They are most suitable for dishes that are sautéed, fried, boiled or stewed.

They can be sliced and used:

Mushroom bruschetta

1. 4 beds (with a hat with a diameter of approx. 10 cm)
2. Pastry

Method

• Remove the stems, wipe the hats with a damp cloth and check the peels
• Cut the caps into pieces, fry them in a little olive oil and butter, season with salt and pepper and then a little parsley and garlic
• Take out the trays and toast toasted bread, a baguette or any other pastry in the same pan
• Finally, layer the mushrooms on the toasted pastry and serve

Fried schnitzel from the bed

1. 4 beds (with a hat with a diameter of approx. 10 cm)
2. 3 eggs
3. 2 tablespoons parsley (chopped)
4. 3 tablespoons parmesan (grated)
5. Breadcrumbs

Method

• Clean the mushrooms
• Beat three eggs and mix them with two spoons of parsley and three spoons of grated parmesan cheese, salt and pepper
• Dip the cleaned and dried hat in egg mixture and then in breadcrumbs
• Let the mushrooms cool for 30 minutes and harden in the fridge
• Then fry the caps in olive oil (it is enough to cover the bottom of the pan with oil) until golden

Storage

Bedly can last up to five days if left whole and unwashed in a paper bag in the fridge.