Bigfoot's Friend

Mushrooms grow in many shapes and sizes… Apparently, textures, too!

This brainy-looking mass of mushroom is known as Witches Butter and it is part of the orange jelly-fungi family!

Believe it or not, Witches Butter has a couple of nearly exact look-alikes, and they are all edible! It’s also known as Yellow Brain or Golden Jelly Fungus!

This mushroom is well known as a “hikers snack” and as a great survival food. However, there is debate about whether you can eat Witches Butter raw or not, but as a good rule of thumb, it’s always smart to cook any wild mushroom before eating – just to be safe.

In some parts of the world Witches Butter is used as an aid for respiratory issues, and is supposed to support a healthy immune system!

Remember to always cross-reference your findings and never eat any wild mushroom unless you are 100% positive on the identification!

You can find Witches Butter growing on dead or decaying deciduous trees, and given the bright orange color, they’re pretty easy to spot!

This unique mushroom can be enjoyed in soups, stews, and stir fries. The mushroom itself doesn’t have much flavor, but the texture makes a wonderful addition to your meals. Given the natural “gummy” texture of this mushroom, some of the most commonly used recipes are candying or re-hydrating in syrup! They make a sweet, fun, nutritious snack!

Do you have any experience with Golden Jelly Fungus? I’d love to hear about your favorite recipes in the comments!

Learn more about foraging mushrooms in my other post Mushrooms: Best Tips And Methods For Foraging

Or if you’re interested in what other snacks the forest has to offer, check out Wild Edible Discoveries For Hikers And Outdoor Enthusiasts

Thanks for reading, and happy foraging!

-Jessica C.