Sponge Fungus, Cep, King bolete
Boletus edulis

Family: Boletaceae

What it is like

A mushroom. It is a common mushroom up to 15-20 cm high. The cap is umbrella shaped. It has tubes instead of gills. It has a large stalk base up to 5 cm across. It is dark brown.

Where it is found

It is found under shrubs and trees after heavy rain. It is eaten by the Dani in Papua Indonesia. In Nepal it grows in moist shady places in mixed forest. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Alaska, Andorra, Asia, Australia, Austria, Balkans, Belarus, Belgium Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Caucasus, Central America, China, Croatia, East Africa, Ethiopia, Europe, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Guatemala, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Mediterranean, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Africa, North America, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Serbia, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, Türkiye, Ukraine, USA, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

It is used blanched in salads and soups. The fruiting bodies can be eaten fresh but also dried. It is also powdered and preserved in oil. The fruiting body is used in salads, roasted, fried, stewed and in sauces and pickled in oil. They are used in risotto, pasta, omelettes, and other dishes. They can be grilled, sauteed or baked.

It is popular. It is sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Fungus, mushroom, spice, vegetable

How it is grown

The mushroom can weigh 2.5 kg and be 30 cm across.

Its other names

Local names

Bavoselli, Bavuseddhi, Bavuso, Cep de Bordeaux, Cepe, Chipo de toro y chipo, Chumugulu, Datik'a sok'o, Datvis soko, Edible boletus, Eekhoorntjesbrood, Enguday, Hed tab tao, Karl johan, King bolete, Maiwei niuganjun, Mazayel, Mei wei niu gan jun, Pananacatl, Pansa, Penny bun, Pho shyamo, Porcini, Porcino bianco, Porcino, Sangiovannino, Shophaa, Steinpilz, Stensopp, Vrganj

Synonyms

Tubiporus edulis Schaeff.:Fr.; Boletus edulis Schaeff.:Fr.;