While most mushroom pickers in Latvia are still waiting for the first chanterelles, a resident of the Cēsis region has already shared a photo of the first porcini found this year.
“This year’s first one. Found on June 6,” notes Inta on Facebook. The author mentions that she found the porcini in the Cēsis region, while Eva adds that she has seen white mushrooms in the forests of the Jelgava region.
It goes without saying that this find surprised many. “How come so early?” asks Zenta, to which Inta replies, “Oak porcini start to grow as early as the beginning of June.” “How cruel! Now I’ll only be thinking about this!” laments Vineta. Biruta adds that she is happy for such a beautiful first porcini. “Oh, dear, don’t rush, let the chanterelles show themselves first!” Rita cheerfully remarks. Zane adds, “As much as I love mushroom picking, this year will pass me by. In our area, the bear population is quite impressive...”
The oak, or summer porcini (Lat. Boletus reticulatus, Syn. B. aestivalis) is one of the first species of porcini to appear in the season. Under favorable weather conditions, the first specimens can be found in the forests as early as the beginning of June, but these mushrooms grow most abundantly in the middle and later part of summer.
