Matsutake Identification

This video showcases beautiful matsutake (Tricholoma murrillianum) growing native in the Pacific northwest. Early November is usually primetime to forage for these delicacies. This is one of many different sub-species of "Matsutake," a mushroom made especially famous for the Japanese species 'Tricholoma Matsutake." Those mushrooms take on a smaller stature and brownish coloring compared to our native species, and can fetch big bucks in markets in japan, where they actually auction off the mushrooms and can sell for hundreds of dollars per pound. They do however have a similar taste and aroma, which makes the PNW version of this mushroom more than fit for a royal meal.
This video shows me walking into a coniferous forest in western Washington in november at 200 ft above sea-level and finding a few great examples of this sought after fungus. I plan to do a bit more in depth video later about the history of these mushrooms, the culture surrounding them, and the commercial pickers who take to the forests of the pacific northwest every autumn to forage these mushrooms.
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[johnzomer]

It seems like educational mushroom Youtubers fall into one of two camps, either they pretend that active species do not exist or it is their only focus (usually to the detriment of much usable information). Thank you for creating videos that shed light on all types of fungi!

[naturallynorthwest]

Do you ever smell them before you have spotted them? The other day when I was hunting, I started smelling them. I stopped, looked around and immediately found some! I was able to cook them up with some venison tenderloins from my deer that same afternoon. Pretty darn good hunting day! Once you have smelled them, its unforgettable.

[RayKttailPage]

This really helped in showing me the difference with the False Matsutake I have found in the past.

[martinlouden]

Beautiful mushrooms. I'm glad you had such a good day's foraging.

[randygoldman]

Such a wonderful way to get a little exercise and spend time in the natural world.

[marthahines]

Glad you are in th PNW. Some videos are great but from another part of the country and the environment is not the same. Only found these one time. Not so easy in my mind. Digging off trail makes a big difference. Thank you. Great close ups and identifying characteristics

[stephaniecarlos]

OMG… I nearly fainted when you found the naturals button motherlode! Totally looking forward to reuniting with family members as well as investing in a place to retire whilst I join up with family in the PNW
Thank you for sharing the love. Humboldt Honey

[kdavis]

It's been on my bucket list to hunt in the PNW for awhile now.

[ClarkPainthaus]

Great video, thank you, super helpfull!

[CascadeBackcountry]

I cannot find a reliable matsutake patch! Found a few stragglers here n there. Beautiful looking forest there

[AlbertPayne-xwqx]

Great video I see tons of these every year when I am early Chantrell picking can’t wait to try a couple. I feel much more confident after watching your video. Talk to several people that are picking them in the area where I hunt for Chantrell.

[ashleykorn]

Awesome work! Thank you for great videos

[jvlog]

Thank you for sharing
I’m uploading videos to show Japan everyday as possible as I can.
Your videos are one of the motivation to make videos for me.
Thank you so much for uploading

[shay_box]

Love these videos! Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge 🍄

[daroldw]

Yay! Looks like I get another mushroom to look for. I just started looking for mushrooms the second week in October. Thanks!

[rukuu]

Thank you for this, I'm excited to get out there this year and see what I can find!

[seandepoppe]

Amazing finds thanks for sharing your knowledge with us. In Whatcom County just north of you foraging as well

[timothyslover]

Really valuable video for those of us that are earlier in the process. Great ID information as well as narrowing the environment down. Almost gets me off the couch on this rainy day.

[alysoncarbary]

I had heard that where you find candystick/red and white fungus in late spring or summer go back in the fall and look for Matsutake . I did just that and found some great specimens!

[Pauline-bgud]

Wow that was really informative, , thanks, ,