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Chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius)
Andreas Kunze · CC BY-SA 3.0
Edible species

Chanterelle

Cantharellus cibarius · Hydnaceae

The chanterelle is a much sought-after forest mushroom, egg-yolk to deep yellow and funnel-shaped, with an apricot scent.

FamilyHydnaceae
SeasonJun–Nov
Spore printPale yellow to creamy white
Cap width3–15 cm
Records in Turkey13 records
CultivationWild only
StatusEdible species

The chanterelle is a much sought-after forest mushroom, egg-yolk to deep yellow and funnel-shaped, with an apricot scent. Underneath, instead of true gills, it has blunt, forking ridges running down the stem. It is found from Scandinavia to the Mediterranean.

Also called: golden chanterelle, girolle Turkish: Sarı horozmantarı, horozmantarı, horoz mantarı

Chanterelle

How to recognise it

Chanterelle, part by part

No ring or volva Spore print: Pale yellow to creamy white Faint scent of apricots.

Cap — Chanterelle
Cap3–15 cm, convex then funnel-shaped; yellow to deep yellow with a wavy edge. May spot reddish where damaged.
Ridges — Chanterelle
RidgesNo true gills: thick, blunt, forking ridges (false gills) running down the stem.
Stem — Chanterelle
StemShort and stout, same colour as the cap; flesh whitish and fibrous.

When and where

Jun–Nov

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Junin season
  7. Julin season
  8. Augin season
  9. Sepin season
  10. Octin season
  11. Novin season
  12. Dec

The chanterelle fruits from June to December in Europe, and in southern Europe it can also appear from October through March. In Turkey, GBIF records peak in August–September.

Where do chanterelles grow?

The chanterelle is ectomycorrhizal, growing mostly in broadleaf woods with oak, chestnut or hazel, and also under conifers. It likes a mossy, damp forest floor.

In Turkey

In Turkey the chanterelle has been recorded mainly in the forests of the Black Sea and Marmara regions.

  • Bolu2
  • Ordu1
  • Osmaniye1
  • Karabük1
  • Kocaeli1
  • Kastamonu1
  • Rize1
  • Artvin1

13 observations on our map (GBIF, iNaturalist). Record density also reflects where observers work.

Latest chanterelle observations

See on the map

In its habitat — Chanterelle
In its habitat
In its habitat — Chanterelle
In its habitat

Look-alikes

What could it be confused with?

Poisonous

Jack-o'-lantern mushroom Omphalotus olearius

Bright orange, in dense clusters, usually from olive-tree roots; has sharp true gills. Contains muscarine and causes stomach upsets lasting days.

Poisonous

Eastern jack-o'-lantern Omphalotus illudens

Grows in clusters on wood with true gills; dangerously poisonous.

Inedible

False chanterelle Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca

More orange, with thin, crowded, forking true gills; treat as inedible.

In the kitchen

Cooking with chanterelles

On the blog

KitchenWhich mushrooms can you eat raw, and which must be cooked?4 min read

Storing chanterelles

Fresh · fridge3–7 daysKeep fresh chanterelles unwashed in a paper bag in the fridge; delicate species are at the short end. Source
FrozenA few monthsFreeze chanterelles cooked, not raw: sauté and cool them first. Source
DriedA few months – 1 yearKeep dried chanterelles in an airtight jar in a cool, dry, dark place. Source

How to store mushrooms: the full guide →

Grow it, buy it

Chanterelle price list

Chanterelle price list
ProductUsMarket (sourced, dated)
Fresh chanterellesIn preparation · notify me—
Dried chanterellesIn preparation · notify me—

Our prices for chanterelles are published when the product is ready; for now we take waiting-list sign-ups. The market column shows prices seen on other sellers' pages on the date given; they are not our prices and may have changed.

Grow kits →

Frequently asked questions

Are chanterelles edible?

Yes, the chanterelle is an edible species. Eat a wild one only after an expert has identified it with certainty: it can be confused with jack-o'-lantern mushroom (Omphalotus olearius) and eastern jack-o'-lantern (Omphalotus illudens).

When is chanterelle season in Turkey?

In our calendar, chanterelle season runs Jun–Nov. The chanterelle fruits from June to December in Europe, and in southern Europe it can also appear from October through March. In Turkey, GBIF records peak in August–September.

Where do chanterelles grow?

The chanterelle is ectomycorrhizal, growing mostly in broadleaf woods with oak, chestnut or hazel, and also under conifers. It likes a mossy, damp forest floor.

Where are chanterelles found in Turkey?

In Turkey the chanterelle has been recorded mainly in the forests of the Black Sea and Marmara regions.

What can the chanterelle be confused with?

The chanterelle can be confused with jack-o'-lantern mushroom (Omphalotus olearius, poisonous), eastern jack-o'-lantern (Omphalotus illudens, poisonous) and false chanterelle (Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca, inedible). Look-alikes are compared on this page.

What is the chanterelle called in Turkish?

In Turkish, the chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius) is called Sarı horozmantarı; other local names include horozmantarı and horoz mantarı.

Related species

All species → · Identify by photo →

Sources (7)
Photo credits (10)