Oak chestnuts belong to conditionally edible mushrooms of the genus Syroezhkovy. It looks very similar to saffron milk, but differs by the presence of white juice in the pulp. Mushroom pickers call it "oak saffron", and mycologists call it "zone milkman". The growth area of ​​these mushrooms is located in an oak grove or broad-leaved forest.

A pile of oak photos

According to the description, the camelina differs from the rest of the bricks of brick-orange, with a yellowish tint, the color of the hat. It has an irregular funnel shape and slightly lowered and folded felt edges. The hat has significant dimensions and can reach 15–20 cm in diameter, and it also has clearly defined concentric circles painted in a darker color.

To the touch, the young mushroom is slightly moist and sticky in rainy weather. However, on sunny days its surface is completely dry. The saffron cap is dense, thick and short, and has a cavity inside. Its length is an average of 5-7 centimeters. The fungus belongs to the lamellar, and its reproduction occurs through the spread of spores. The plates located under the hat are broad, whitish or orange in color. The mushroom flesh is pale pink on the fault, with a pleasant aroma.

Why oak

The zonal lactarius got its common name “oak lump” due to the fact that it grows only in deciduous forests with a predominance of trees such as beech, oak and hornbeam. Most often, it can be found near the rhizome of an oak tree under a large amount of its fallen leaves. The fungus practically grows from the root system of the tree without causing harm to it. Another possible reason for the name of the fungus is the presence on the surface of concentric rings resembling the surface of a sawn oak trunk.

Related species

In addition to oak, there are also such types of loaves:

• yellow;
• golden yellow;
• parchment;
• papillary;
• bluish;
• bluish;
• present;
• the black;
• aspen;
• violin player;
• bitter;
• camphor milky;
• sub-milkman;
• water zone;
• marsh;
• pepper.

These mushrooms belong to the genus lactarius or lactarius, which is translated from Latin as meaning "giving milk." This name is due to the fact that when damaged, the fungus secretes a milky white liquid. Almost all representatives of this genus, except for a pile of golden yellow, are classified as edible, and species such as pepper breast and bitter have unique healing properties.

Important! Mushrooms are never dried since they have an unpleasant taste and aroma when dried.

What is called oak lump

Oak lactarius is popularly called differently. Most often, this fungus is called the submaxillus or arthropod. Sometimes it is called saffron mushroom, which is associated with an external resemblance to most saffron mushrooms. The scientific name of the fungus is zonal lactic - because it belongs to the genus of lactic and has features characteristic of this type of mushroom.

The most common habitats

Oak mushrooms grow mainly in oak forests and broad-leaved forests, where they are a fairly common species. An important condition for the growth of these fungi is heat and sufficient humidity. Therefore, they are more common in areas with warm climates. Ginger can be easily found undamaged by worms, because, being in it, milky juice repels most insects.

Did you know? Scientists consider mushrooms to be the most common creatures on the planet.

How to find an oak lump

The fruiting of the mushrooms begins at the end of July and can continue until October, subject to warm and humid autumn. The plant prefers humus loam as a habitat. The main part of the maturation of the saffron mushroom occurs underground and leaves, and on the surface there are already adult individuals with a huge coating of dirt. Fungi live more often in groups, but solitary specimens exist.

Video: Collecting Oak Breasts

Eating what it tastes like

Ginger oak is conditionally edible and belong to the 2nd taste category, which is associated with the characteristic burning taste of milky juice. Lactation can be eaten only after prolonged soaking in cold water, which washes unpleasant juice. Best of all, the taste of camelina is revealed when it is salted. These mushrooms are never dried, but they can be fried and pickled by adding to soups and main dishes.

Chemical composition, useful properties

Ginger oaks are quite capable of replacing meat dishes while following a vegetarian diet, as they are rich in a huge amount of essential amino acids. At the same time, all vitamins and nutrients from them are well absorbed by the human body. This food product has almost no effect on blood sugar, which is important for people with diabetes.

Also, breast helps to eliminate toxins from the body. Due to the content of vitamin B in the fungus, it is useful for people suffering from mild diseases of the nervous system, neurosis and depression. Salted camelina is an excellent anti-inflammatory agent.

Contraindications and potential harm to the body

This food is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, as it, like other mushrooms, can adversely affect the baby’s gastrointestinal system. The use of zonal lactation badly affects people with chronic liver and kidney diseases.

Important! The introduction of mushrooms in the children's diet is recommended to start no earlier than from the age of 7.

You can’t eat them to people with gastritis, peptic ulcer and duodenal ulcer. Eating large amounts of mushroom dishes is also not recommended, as this can lead to digestion and dyspepsia.

Lactation, with proper preparation, has excellent taste and is used, most often, in a salted form, as a snack. And the fact that saffron mushroom is one of the most common mushrooms that are harvested in deciduous forests amazes many lovers of "silent hunting." In addition, the very process of collecting it brings great pleasure, because this mushroom is practically not damaged by worms.