Bitter boletes are common throughout the summer. They can still be found into the fall but are often reduced to a pile of sludge with autumn rain.

It is ok to taste and spit a small amount of this mushroom. You will notice an immediate blue bruising when damaging the tissue and the bitter taste will be apparent after 5 seconds of chewing. I’d recommend spitting before you taste the bitterness because it can sneak up on you.

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Identify Pacific Northwest boletes with our step-by-step guide. Answer questions about cap color, pore characteristics, and staining reactions to narrow down your find.

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