The boletes of Michigan, by Alexander H. Smith and Harry D. Thiers.

EDIBILITY
Since the boletes are among the most popular of all edible wild
fleshy fungi it seems appropriate to include the following comments and
key. The general instructions for cleaning and cooking boletes are as
follows: After you have learned your species, if possible collect the
button or immature basidiocarps. In Boletus edulis and its segregates one
must be doubly sure of the identification of those variants with red
pilei. The stipe is soft and tender at button stages in the edulis group,
and can be used as well as the cap. Also, at this stage the tubes are not
sufficiently developed to make much difference in the way the basidiocarps cook. The rule to follow is that if the stems are tender enough,
use them, but if the stem is fibrous and hard, it is better to discard it.
At the latter stage insect larvae have usually penetrated to the interior.
If only caps with mature or nearly mature tubes are to be used, remove
the tubes-they separate readily from the flesh. They are gelatinous at
this stage and tend to cook up to a sticky consistency. The surface of
the cap should be cleaned with a brush or damp cloth. Washing the caps
may cause them to become water-soaked and in this stage they may
tend to stew rather that saute. When collecting, collect as little dirt with
the specimens as possible. Do not carry the specimens in plastic bags for
periods of an hour or more during hot weather, since mushrooms spoil
very readily under conditions of high humidity and temperature. Paper
bags are far better than plastic bags for collecting the parts to be eaten.
In the following list of recommended edible species or groups of
species attention has been given to those abundant in the region, to ease
of identification, and to edible qualities.
1. Boletus edulis and related species.
B. variipes is most common in our oak forests. The variants
around B. edulis, i.e., var. clavipes and aurantioruber, are more
likely to be found in the Upper Peninsula.
2. B. ornatipes. Abundant in the beech-maple areas of the state.
3. Boletus pallidus. As there are some reports of a bitter strain in this
species, more data on its quality are desirable, but it is very
common.

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