The lobster mushroom isn’t actually a true mushroom, it is a type of fungus which colonizes other mushrooms. When the fungus is left undisturbed, it will completely cover its host with a bright reddish-to-orange sheath which looks like a cooked lobster. As a result, people refer collectively to the host and the fungus as the lobster mushroom.
Lobster mushrooms can be quite tasty, as a result of the unique combination of the host’s flavour and that of the colonizing fungus, and they are eaten in many parts of the world.
The colonizing fungus appears to be quite choosy. It tends to colonize either members of the russula genus or the Lactarius genus. Fortunately for us, these mushrooms are edible, and they are often enjoyed on their own. As the fungus encloses the host mushroom, it also develops small white dots which are likened to pimples. This turns the lobster mushroom somewhat coarse to the touch. If the mushroom is not harvested, the fungus will contort the host into a bizarre shape which can make it almost unrecognizable.
The taste of a lobster mushroom is said to resemble that of an actual lobster. Lobster mushrooms can be used in a wide range of dishes, they take well to both baking and frying. They are also great by themselves, fried in a little butter.
These orange mushrooms are fairly easy to identify, but amateur mycologists should use some caution. Mushroom guides do not advise picking and eating a lobster mushroom unless you can identify the host since the fungus could potentially colonize a poisonous mushroom. Identifying the host can be very challenging.
If you don’t feel up to harvesting lobster mushrooms on your own, some markets and grocers carry them during mushroom season. Look for firm specimens with no soft spots, slime, or obvious dark discoloration, you can store the mushrooms in a paper bag in the fridge for up to a week before using. You can also purchase dried lobster mushrooms which can be rehydrated for cooking.