Like a Fungi Phoenix, Morel Mushrooms Rise From the Ashes
The bumper crop is a welcome, if bittersweet, byproduct of last year’s devastating fires.
-
CategoryFarm + Table
In the ashes of coniferous trees devastated by the fires of late 2017, the precious and tasty Morel mushroom springs forward in abundance. California chefs and fungi fanatics are foraging the delicious little wonders in quantities not seen in years.
According to Eater San Francisco, “Morels, whose scientific name is Morchella, are so highly valued because they’re foraged, not farmed: Their symbiotic relationship with trees is tough to replicate on a commercial scale. As to why they fruit after fires, Kabir Peay, an assistant professor of biology at Stanford, calls that phenomenon “a little bit of a mycological mystery.”
“Fungi will often reproduce either when things are really good, or really bad,” says Peay. “In a lot of cases when their resources are all used up, they’ll create new mushrooms to move on… to find new resources to eat.”
Read more about the Morels’ amazing year and where to find them here.
Brentwood Home Is Fun for Kids and Parents Alike
Abby and David Kohl’s home is inviting, relaxed and playful. The décor is chic but never too precious for the couple’s four active children—and the dog.
The World Surf League Will Pay Female Champs the Same as Men
This includes prize money at the famed Maverick’s competition.
Remembering Longtime Los Angeles Basketball Great Kobe Bryant
The famed athlete, nicknamed the Black Mamba, was 41 years old.



