Foraging Maitake Mushrooms

[@johnfry]

I have an oak tree that I estimate is 200 years old in my front yard that these wonderful fungi grow under. Each year I am rewarded with more than I could ever ask for

[@johnfry]

Im in KCMO and the oak is a Burr Oak if anyone is wondering.

[@kaokong7226]

soo lucky!!

[@pgu876]

John Fry John, love your vids, have a picture of a massive Mitaki i would love to send you, are you on Instagram or Facebook?

[@DougDennis]

Awesome!

[@regenad555]

U *probably DON'T HAVE ALOTTA CRITTERS* to get there before U huh> LUCKY YOU+

[@momsmushroomsjodyfoster5786]

Hello Freind, You’re my favorite online teacher for everything mushrooms. I love taking you along in my pocket down my favorite forested trails. Your cheerful disposition and passion for life is genuine and contagious!! Thank you! #MomsMushrooms #MushroomFantasies

[@amazingdavon]

Well said! And pertinent to us here in Wild & Wonderful WV! Thanks, Adam!

[@mR-dc4oq]

I love your videos. You are a genius! One so young too! I can see you as an old man with many years of accumulating knowledge, under your belt. You are awesome now but you will be an icon when you are old!! What a rare gem you are. Mom, be proud of your son!

[@ryno2323]

Started this foraging journey in mid-March 2020. Morels were the only thing on my radar....then by accident, I discovered Chanterelles in early August. That made me look harder at what might be out there---that along with your videos has put me back in the woods on a weekly basis for the first time since the late-80's, early 90's. The woods any time of year, but especially this time of year, detox the soul. 3 days ago we found our first Maitakes and they just might be my favorite. I recently turned 45 and forage alone, but much of the time I am out with 2 old high school friends. You have been a point of reference for all 3 of us. I hope you understand the positive impact you are having. Cheers

[@SteveSummers]

I can see the genuine excitement on your face when you pulled up that Hen of the Woods. Great video!

[@shaughtup7554]

Adam, here in The Berkshires it has been very dry this year so I humped buckets of water out to my best maitake oak tree for the last week of Aug./1st week of Sept. - of the 5 oaks I know can produce Hens this was the only one that did well - 9 Hens each over 4 or 5 pounds! I have 4 food saver bags full in the freezer (it freezes very well), 3 huge jars pickled with black trumpets. Watering works!

[@s.s.3068]

I just found an oak tree with eight hens on it! One was mature and ready to harvest, the others are still babies. We haven’t had any rain for several days, and no rain in the forecast for several more, I was thinking of bringing water to wet the soil so the baby hens don’t dry out and get ruined, but I wasn’t sure if that would help or not 🤷🏼‍♀️ Then I read your comment and thought maybe it wasn’t such a strange idea 😂

[@GriotDNB]

Just had a wet week in The Netherlands, hoping I can find some tomorrow. They are awesome and I've been on a lucky streak so fingers crossed!

[@speterlewis]

I've peered around 1, 127 oak trees in the last two years, and finally found my first one a week ago!

[@annak804]

Good for you

[@blenderbenderguy]

Maybe this will be a banner year for. you. I just found (7) growing on a single oak stump that was left from a wind blown (over) tree. After cutting tree I righted the stump so I wouldn't need to fill a hole. Sure am glad I left it now!!

[@shanansadler9700]

blenderbender, 7 on one tree stump????😳 Wow!!!

[@blenderbenderguy]

@@shanansadler9700 That's what I said..... and just 200 ft. from my door!

[@PatrickPierceBateman]

1,127? That's very specific number of oak trees. Did you really take the time to count every oak you came across?

[@rickjames154]

I have 80 acre is SW Virginia and because of you Adam I have found many edible species we have a huge cluster of hen of the woods that grows in same location every year about 30-50lbs I have gallons of them dried you helped me to identify, chicken of the woods, chanterelles, pheasant back, and lots of edible boletes, black trumpets, and old man of the woods just to name a few the only thing i cant find is the elusive moral......again thank you Adam for teaching us this long lost food source .....I just love your personality

[@wuznotbornyesterda]

I've been collecting morels for a couple of decades, but I haven't found anything else around here. Gets too dry just after the spring floods. I had some inky caps came up in the yard one year and then never again. And yes, I left some to spore. The woods here has only about half the species of trees as I was used to in Southern Indiana only 100 miles to the west and both in the Ohio River Valley.

[@EP-qi8ed]

Gallons of them dried? Maybe sell them!

[@shanansadler9700]

In the Cherokee language we call them Wisi(wishy). Because my hair is curly like this mushroom my Cherokee name is Wisi.lol

[@user-kz8zr4si3i]

This is awesome, i would love to learn more about the relationship native peoples had with the mushrooms of this beautiful land over thousands of years. Like most things, I'm sure a lot of incredible insight has been lost. Such a tragedy.

[@HawthorneHillNaturePreserve]

So cool that our native and ancestral customs and traditions are still being observed. In Italian, we call it Nasca. We love foraging wild mushrooms!

[@SmittenKitten.]

This is so amazing! I love hearing gems like this!

[@Mudring76]

Shrimp of the woods is plentiful here in eastern Ohio right now. Picked a couple pounds yesterday and left plenty.Unfortunately didn't see any hen of the woods.Love the videos I use to only hunt morels and puff ball. Until I found your channel. Thks for opening my mushroom world.

[@lilyw.719]

Blessings on your beautiful blond head, Adam! I found about 30 lb of these today, first find ever. And you tipped me off to go looking!

[@dorisdost7219]

My husband and I live in Lorton Virginia. We were very blessed to find our first Hen of the Woods mushrooms yesterday. First time were using them. We had some for dinner and I dehydrated the rest. We found about five big bunches around one tree we left two little ones behind to give back to mother earth. Thank you for your information on how to use them.

[@joet81]

Beautiful specimens!! Just wanted to thank you for all of your contributions to our beautiful planet, and of course to mycology! I have foraged for years now, and I never miss your videos. Thanks again, keep up the fantastic work!

[@doreenschoenbornjdsshihbor7029]

I really liked how you went through all the steps and showed everything. I appreciate your efforts. May God bless you

[@Vbluevital]

What a gorgeous find! Thank You Adam

[@riverbender9898]

Typically wonderful video!! Thanks Adam.

[@familyfungi]

Liked and commented to give you some more traction! Thanks for the knowledge and the love you show for what you do. Pack it in, pack it out folks!

[@TheyCallTheWindMariah]

We had a large one pop up under our oak tree every year! Super tasty! Thanks for sharing 💚

[@chrisfry7915]

Found a nice one growing out from under a large rock yesterday in NW PA. Had to remove it in pieces, but I am going to enjoy some tonight with Ahi tuna and fresh spinach. I really enjoy your videos and the fact that you are in my area. Thumbs up!

[@valbard6596]

We’ve had it growing on our property for years but I was nervous about trying it. Finally got up my nerve and studied your videos and read as much as possible before diving in feet first. I was rewarded with the best tasting mushroom I’ve ever had! Can’t wait til next fall. They are huge and freeze well. Thank you!!!

[@hap9936]

Do they have a lot of bugs in them?

[@valbard6596]

@@hap9936 No, but there were some bugs. I put the mushrooms into a large pot and cover them with water that has some table salt added to get the bugs out. Then I divide it up outside for cleaning before taking it into the house. That way the creepy crawlers stay out. It’s also better to clean the grass and dirt while it’s outside so there’s not such a mess in my kitchen. Make sure all the liquid is cooked out when preparing or you may have stomach upset.

[@aidansmithvail4752]

I love your videos and like how you value gratitude and connection with the land. That said, I think it would be very valuable for you to learn about and acknowledge the indigenous people whos traditional homelands you are living on and collecting mushrooms from. Having something like a land acknowledgement in your videos and in your online presence in general would be very meaningful.

[@aislinnfolan]

I'm new to mushrooms. I found a big specimen while walking in the woods in MA. I took it home and cut it up and fried it on a pan. It was so amazingly delicious! So thankful I found your videos. While cutting it up I found a tiny salamander like in the video and some black beetles so I put them in a jar and drove them back to the forest to release them. Next time I will cut the mushroom up while I'm still in the forest because I live in a city where the salamander might not survive outside here.

[@jamstagerable]

I live in South Eastern MA. Just got back from foraging and found a bunch of Chicken of the woods and Maitake on the same tree! I noticed it just as I was exiting and saying to my son "guess today just wasn't our day".

[@aislinnfolan]

@@jamstagerable thats awesome, I went to Blue Hills last year near the southern part of it near route 93. Thats where I found a huge maitake

[@winex4789]

I happened to stumble upon one of your videos and I am so happy I did! All the videos I have watched so far are so educational and you explain things so succinctly!!

[@shanghunter7697]

My absolute favorite edible shroom, been harvesting them since 74, these have excellent medicinal properties as well.

[@kaokong7226]

NICE! You found the big one! Thank you for making these videos, I learned a lot!!!

[@gimomable]

I'm looking forward to looking for some of these with my Amish friend. She's so good at finding edible mushrooms. We have had plenty of rain here in NC

[@auditpress.crypto]

im looking for a amish farm to support in nc care to give up what town or farm?

[@gimomable]

@@auditpress.crypto well they are near Burlington NC and not actually Amish but its easier than saying they live like amish but aren't associated with any region, but very religious and wonderful people. Super friendly and love visitors. They grow stuff to sell, make peanut butter to sell and do day labor and build/woodworking and even made a few dulcimers. If your still interested and Burlington is close enough, they live on Shoe Rd. which is Huffman Mill rd after it crosses the lake. About 3-4 miles on the right in old White House with a well underba huge oak. You can't miss it lol

[@hatmcjones]

Agar queen

[@sonofabear]

I love Maitake! I hope I can find a few this season. Thanks for sharing Adam!

[@chriswallswvu]

One of my favorite channels on KZbin!

[@iamirongroot4720]

Found, cooked and ate my first maitake ever and they are amazing. Your videos have been a great help since I’ve decided to start foraging early this year.

[@hap9936]

Do they have a lot of bugs in them?

[@erikg5824]

Thanks for sharing, love your videos my friend! Last year was a bad year where I'm from, but found 4 this year so far, largest being 7.5 lbs! Super happy! Thanks!

[@scottkers.4225]

Hi Adam, thank you for sharing your knowledge and harvest. My son and I went out the other day and harvested 4. Great tasting mushroom. Thumbs up to you. 👍

[@wleasure78]

I am dehydrating and making mushroom soup while watching mushroom videos. Also from Western Pennsylvania 👍

[@joejoelesh1197]

Been watching your back catalog. All great videos, thank you so much. You are ageing well, and continue to make great videos for us foragers.

[@stevepalmateer]

Thanks Adam! Because of this video I was able to positively identify a great big maitake fruiting at the base of an oak tree while hunting whitetail deer yesterday!

[@dougvogt8058]

You're so lucky to have access to all of those maitake. It's definitely my favorite mushroom. I have only found them neat HUGE oaks- like at least 3' in diameter. BTW, they also freeze very well. I saute them, and freeze them. Then give them a little more cooking after thawing them. I actually like them "overcooked" a bit. A little browned, and slightly dried out.

[@chezmoi42]

Yes, that's how I like most mushrooms, too - it caramelizes the juices and develops the flavor.

[@hap9936]

Do they have a lot of bugs in them?

[@dougvogt8058]

@@hap9936 They have hollow areas in the mushroom, so yes, keep an eye out for bugs. I haven't seen bugs actually IN the meat of the mushroom, though.

[@zachcarney3910]

Before I watch I'd just like to say I also found a Maitake this past weekend. While driving home from work today I was thinking about it and that lead to me wondering how its going up there in PA. Awesome coming home to this video. Haven't yet watched and I know I'm in for a treat! From MD, thanks for sharing your great information over the years.

[@daynemichaelanahata]

You are my favorite. Thank you for sharing. Keep making more videos. 💗

[@tjcarlson9749]

I JUST saw a bunch of these today, but didn’t know what they were. Thank you so much for the info! I’ll be going back to harvest a few later :)

[@annak804]

Lucky you appreciate your bounty don't let any go to waste

[@tjcarlson9749]

random chicks music i have 20 minutes worth of videos to watch later to make sure I know the different methods to freeze and store. Want to make sure it lasts!

[@logoseven3365]

My wife and I went out 2 weeks ago. So dry. Found a very nice chicken-of-the-woods. Fried it for sandwiches. So good.

[@kimberlygates4488]

Love your 'Merry Mushroom' canister set!

[@juliet4392]

Wow! So awesome! Yeah, my experience too…out enjoying and bam, mushrooms appear! ❤️👍🏾

[@travisvarpness2845]

Thank you very much for all the assistance you have provided me with on my foraging. I have learned alot from you and really enjoy how you break things down and explain them.

[@divadelatorre]

I have learned a lot from your videos. You explain so well.

[@atshmh5]

Thank you! I really love your videos. You are a really good teacher!

[@olgasudokov1791]

Love your videos, thank you so much for your constant uploads!

[@lorrainec9742]

Adam you're awesome!! Thank you for your knowledge!!! Enjoy your Maitake!♥️

[@beanshommer5022]

Great mushroom. Great video.

[@brendabetts9798]

Maitake mushrooms are my favorite! I live in AZ and they are hard to find. When I do find them, they are super expensive. Just purchased 4 medium sized ones and paid $22.. still, so worth it! I stir fry them with onions and make street tacos! Yum!

[@kenycharles8600]

Thank you for this presentation. I need to get out and look. Soon.

[@meancuisine8]

The BEST!!! My ABSOLUTE FAVOURITE!

[@alexlovesfungi]

Awesome. The same thing happened to me today. Was out in North Park going for a run and ended up harvesting a GIANT maitake, maybe 18 pounds. Amazing!

[@virginiarocks]

This is so cool. We just found some coral fungus in my planting bed while weeding (northern Shenandoah valley of VA). And I’m pretty sure I found a maitake at a local historic church at the base of a red oak. Love your videos.

[@jr6786]

You are the best! Awesome find! Thank you so much for putting this out there for everyone! I really enjoy your videos!

[@susan3200]

I am new to foraging, and find your videos so helpful. I have not found any maitaki yet, but am certainly hoping to soon. It is great to be out in nature and see the beauty of the seasons.

[@mieletea]

My Dad just found what we believe is Maitake in our forest. Both specimens were growing at the base of a Red Oak. Thank you for these videos!

[@wvmike7008]

This video made me cancel my grocery shopping plans and my daughter and I are on our way to our sheep head spots now.

[@juanvazquez-torres5676]

Great videos thank you great job 👏👏👏👏👏💯

[@c.j.mackay4032]

I so wish I had a friend like you to just tour around looking at nature with

[@sapelesteve]

Interesting video Adam! Maitake are indeed excellent mushrooms to eat & also store away for later use. Now you have given me the urge to go out & hunt for some! Thanks...... 👍👍🍄🍄🍄🍄👍👍

[@aedleathers]

Great video, as usual, Dr. H. I always learn something with your videos. Thanks!

[@dustyandsneezing]

Always excited to see a new video!

[@christinederby8305]

Thank you so much for another informative lesson.

[@indiareiss434]

SO excited i finally got to meet you! Happy hunting my friend. Stay earthy!

[@oomgitschristinee]

just tasted maitake for the first time yesterday! my first wild mushroom! so delicious and you are the inspiration

[@LongDefiant]

Only found this once in Western PA and it was small and past it's prime. I love getting out into the local trails and finding new species, though!

[@PatriotzUnit3d]

Great job Adam, forgot all about maitake season. Over here in Ohio. Went out with my boy, and 15 minutes later found over 10lbs. Thanks for the reminder! Your friend in SE OHIO.

[@nariseconnor7775]

Oh my goodness this mushroom is growing at the base of the oak stump in my front yard! Thanks! ❤ It went to spore already, but hopefully it will grow again!

[@joeisabella6811]

Awesome find!! Walking my dog yesterday and came across a few small ones I left behind to hopefully get a little bigger. I did pick a nice batch of shaggy ink caps tho. Keep the great videos coming and best wishes to you and yours! ✌🤟🙂

[@georgehutcheson9679]

I grew up in Western MARYLAND. I'm guessing you are south west of PITTSBURGH. Every time I watch your videos I feel at home. After all were on the same mountain range and less than a hundred miles apart.

[@pauleohl]

I harvested 4 large hen-of-the-woods at the base of an oak tree on my front "lawn" in Smithtown NY. I get fruiting bodies most years in October.

[@Elaine-br4lw]

Wow it's beautiful! Amazing video as always.

[@Woodsyone]

My best day for hens was 14. Only kept one, it was enough for me and a couple famy members. A wet early fall usually results in an exceptional crop.

[@TheBearGrylz]

Very cool. Always enjoy these videos.

[@woodhippie9744]

Just found my first mitake's this weekend, pretty much thanks to your videos. Thanks. Man are they good eating.

[@AChildofLightHEATHER]

Thanks Adam, great video 👍

[@Lonnloven]

My absolute favourite mushroom! I eat as much as I can of it whenever I visit Japan, where they sell it really cheep pretty much in every supermarket. It's so good! You're lucky to find these beautiful specimens! Since I can't travel to Japan right now, and the maitake mushroom is redlisted where I live, I'm going to have to make do with your video for now. :)

[@dianaspy6733]

Great video! Thanks for sharing!

[@lymntria]

I love your content so much. So informative and cleanly produced. Thank you!!

[@supergirlsadventure6700]

Great video! Sounds like you had a similar summer season to us in here in Michigan. Very dry, barely any rain. Now we are getting rain almost non stop and everything is water logged haha. Mother Nature is funny like that. I’m hoping I can get out soon and find some goodies. Thanks again!

[@crisprtalk6963]

Beautiful country!

[@LucasBuysFood]

So cool, I'll be on the lookout for these in NY. Does seem like there are a lot of hiding spots for insects and critters in those maitake.

[@Woodsyone]

Ya you definitely have to do a thorough bit if debugging. Breakem apart, remove any creepy crawlies you can see and then soak the shroom in salted water overnight. Rinse, rinse rinse and you're good to go.

[@tilda3316]

@Harley Mace I soak all my hens in iced water to push all the bugs up. And sometimes my shrimps need a deep clean too. 🤷‍♀️ imo all it does is take longer to cook out the moisture.

[@paparomesoutdoors711]

I’m in NY been finding them all over now

[@chantalrochon3566]

Love your videos, thank you 🙏

[@tarakekaha2065]

I absolutely love this mushroom too!

[@arthillis315]

Had no luck fishing the other day but did come across a gnarly hen o the woods. Was so stoked.

[@musicmikerocks6415]

What awesome content! Thank you!

[@terryrogers-kulick9499]

It is certainly a bang up year for Armillaria sp. and Grifola frondosa. Love your videos Adam. Pocono Mtns Pa.

[@fredalin6266]

WOW What a find! Love your videos :) Keep em coming!

[@CountryGal04]

My husband and I just found 12 big hens around a huge oak! Found 2 last week as well!

[@lalski08]

Good to see ya Adam

[@Murphis55]

I’m lucky we have a local veggie shop that gets all kinds of mushrooms. I go nuts buying them. Plus I don’t have to worry I made a mistake. I’d need a partner with lots of experience before I went wild. I’d be afraid to injure the system. What a beauty. Thanks. 👍🏻👍🏻❤️❤️❤️💪🏻🖖🏻🐾🐾🍄

[@elizabethb3270]

Nice Harvest Adam!

[@PartTimePermies]

We have an old white oak right next to our house that usually grows one or two hens every year. I haven't seen them yet this year, even with all the rain we have had recently... I hope they will come up, but we do still have some dehydrated mitake from 2 years ago.

[@trimbaker1893]

thanks Adam, one is growing on the oak stump near my cabin. I will dehydrate most of it. : )

[@krswan72]

Ugh so jealous! I have yet to find one myself. Beautiful find! 💚

[@markmedlinjr]

Nice! I haven't found any yet, but my buddies are finding a bunch.

[@CSAN33]

I just found and harvested my first maitake last weekend!

[@michaeldurham690]

Found 5 pounds of maitake at McConnell's mills thanks to your channel. I also managed to step on a yellow jacket nest in the process hahaha.

[@sandrahaworth6653]

Wow that is amazing! Love you're videos!

[@jfkesq]

Those are incredible finds.

[@sphere6258]

I found 8 pounds of Maitake last Friday and 5 pounds of Lions Main Sunday, some went in soup, some went to friends, and the rest will go into supplements. There was also tons of shrimp of the woods, honeys, and wood ear...Spring was rough, but this fall has been great in the upper midwest.