Chanterelle is a diminutive, but, nevertheless, quite an official name for the mushroom. And why exactly this, and not some abstruse, for example, cantarellus - the Latin name for chanterelles, often used in other countries?

Mushroom name history

Chanterelles have been known for a very long time. They were eaten during the time of the Roman Empire. In France in the XVII century, these mushrooms were served only to aristocrats. The Normans used chanterelles as a means to increase male strength, so these mushrooms must be included in the wedding menu.

However, the first fox was officially described by Karl Linney in 1753. He named her Agaricus chantarellus. Later, in 1821, this mushroom was described by the Swedish botanist and mycologist Elias Magnus Frieze, who gave it the name Cantharellus cibarius. “Cibarius” is “edible”, and “cantharellus” most likely comes from the Latin word “cantharus”, meaning a small wine cup. After all, the shape of the mushroom cap in the fox really resembles a funnel or bowl.

Interesting fact: annually around the world they collect about 200 thousand tons of chanterelles, 72 of them in Lithuania, and most of them are exported to neighboring countries - Sweden, Latvia and Estonia.

Why is the fox so called?

Many, with a grin, will say, well, the fox and the fox. They called it that because the redhead looked like a fox. Partly they will be right. Both words - a fox and a fox, in the sense of a mushroom, come from the same Old Russian “fox”, which means “yellow” or “red”.

How are chanterelles useful?

The bright orange color of the chanterelle is due to the presence of beta-carotene in it, which, by the way, is contained in the mushroom no less than in carrots or persimmons. Chanterelles are rich in vitamins and minerals. But three polysaccharides give it special value:

• chitinmannosis - a substance that exhibits anthelmintic properties;
• ergosterol is a compound that positively affects the activity of liver enzymes, therefore chanterelles are useful for hepatitis and hepatosis;
• trametonolinic acid, which has an antiviral effect against hepatitis pathogens.

It is due to the presence of chitinmannosis that the chanterelles are practically not wormy. Only occasionally can a wireworm be found in them, or a woodworm - the larva of a nutcracker.

Interesting fact: in the summer, in one Estonian bistro, which is located in Tallinn, visitors eat about two tons of these mushrooms during the season, most often ordering chanterelle soup with smoked meat.

Therefore, the neighborhood with chanterelles is useful for other edible mushrooms. For example, if a white mushroom has grown in the clearing next to them, which is rarely non-ghostly, not a single midge will touch it.

What are the foxes called in different countries?

In Russia, the chanterelle has popular names - the cockerel (obviously, for the wavy edge of the cap, resembling a comb) and flat (from the word of French origin “flatten”, that is, “do with frills”).

In many countries, the names of mushrooms are almost always tracing the Latin. So, in Danish fox will be kantarel, and in English, French and Norwegian it sounds like chanterelle.However, this mushroom also has popular names. In Germany, the real fox is called Echter Pfifferling - "real cheat" - from the German word "pfiffig", meaning "cunning, crafty." The Germans also have a second name for it - Eierschwammerl, that is, "egg mushroom." The Chinese call the fox "yolk-colored mushroom."

Do you know where chanterelles are used? Many will say that in cooking. Units will add - in traditional medicine. All of them will be right. But in Nigeria, cosmetics for face and body are made on their basis.

Interesting fact: In Europe, the size of the mushroom cap varies between 1-7 cm. In California, specimens weighing up to 500 grams are found. And it is in this state that an annual festival dedicated to mushrooms is held. His program necessarily includes a competition for the most original dish of chanterelles.

Chanterelles are bright, elegant mushrooms that can please every lover of the "silent hunt." They are universal in cooking and help get rid of many ailments. But most importantly, the chanterelles are in no way inferior in taste to the king of mushrooms - boletus and his esteemed retinue - birch bark, boletus boletus, Polish and butter.