Copius
Blonde morel, drawn for Copius

Blonde morel

Morille blonde

Latin nameMorchella esculenta
FamilyMushrooms
OriginAsh and elm woods, spring
Season (France)April – June
FlavourEarthy · Nutty · Delicate
Typical price (France)150–300 €/kg

What it is

The name comes from Old High German morhila, a little carrot, for the pitted cone that pushes up through leaf litter in spring. Chinese growers now raise several black morel species under plastic; the blonde is still lifted from the ground, one at a time.

In the kitchen

Never eat them raw or barely cooked - a morel wants ten good minutes in the pan. Halve them lengthwise first: the blonde is hollow, and grit settles at the base of the stem.

Goes with

Butter Cream Asparagus Chicken Vin jaune Grey shallot Egg

Same species

Black morel Morel

In season alongside

Artichoke Green cracking russula Summer cep Bianchetto truffle Bronze bolete Camus de Bretagne artichoke

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