Cantharellus cibarius
The Golden Chanterelle, or Girolle as they’re known in France.
Definitely high on the bucket list of every mushroom hunter! I found my first ones on that epic day mentioned in my last journal entry but only a small amount… Fried up with just a little seasoning, they were delicious. I was saving some for my friend to try but he immediately spilled beer on them…
The verdict: Beer soaked Chanterelles are good! 
How To Identify Chanterelles
All the Chanterelles I have found were growing in moss among Beech trees. One of the key features of Chanterelles is the gills (or rather lack of gills) described as false gills or primitive gills, they are actually folds or wrinkles.
As with all wild mushrooms, appearance can vary from pale yellow to bright, almost orange colour but the inner flesh is white.
They have a faint fruity smell often likened to apricots.
False Chanterelle
The False Chanterelle has true gills as you can see. It’s also described as having a fruity smell so, as always, check the identification carefully. This species is not known to be poisonous although some sources say it is and others claim it has been known to produce hallucinogenic affects.
There are plenty of other yellow mushrooms that grow in the UK but only Chanterelles have primitive gills.
These golden beauties do not seem to be particularly common, I’ve yet to find more than a handful but they’re definitely one of my favourites.
They’re in season from late summer through the autumn.
