Black Trumpet Mushroom

What Is the Black Trumpet Mushroom?

The black trumpet mushroom (Craterellus cornucopioides) is an edible mushroom that grows in forests in autumn, black-grey in colour, funnel- or trumpet-shaped, with thin flesh. Despite its unsettling name (“horn of death”/“trumpet of the dead”), it is a prized and delicious culinary mushroom.

Its dark colour and hollow funnel shape make it easy to recognise; its flavour is intense, earthy, and slightly fruity. Its aroma becomes even more concentrated once dried, which is why it is often preserved by drying.

Nutritional Values of the Black Trumpet Mushroom

Like other edible forest mushrooms, the black trumpet provides roughly 32 kcal of energy per 100 g, making it a low-calorie, low-fat food that contains fibre. Values are approximated from a similar mushroom profile.

How Should the Black Trumpet Mushroom Be Consumed?

Like all mushrooms, the black trumpet should be thoroughly cooked before eating. Foraging wild mushrooms requires expertise; they should only be consumed from a trusted source or after expert identification.

This information is general; the black trumpet mushroom is a food, not a substitute for medical treatment.

How to Choose the Black Trumpet Mushroom?

A good black trumpet mushroom is firm, dry-flexible, and smells earthy. Specimens that have become wet and mushy, spoiled, or full of sand inside are not preferred.

• The texture should be firm and flexible
• The smell should be pleasantly earthy
• Mushy, spoiled specimens should not be chosen

How to Store the Black Trumpet Mushroom?

Fresh black trumpet mushrooms are stored in paper in the refrigerator for 2–3 days. The most common storage method is drying; dried mushrooms are soaked briefly in hot water before use in dishes.

Using the Black Trumpet Mushroom in the Kitchen

Black trumpet mushrooms are used most in creamy sauces, pasta, risotto, and rice pilaf; also alongside meat and in omelettes. Their intense flavour adds depth to a dish even in small amounts; they pair well with butter and garlic.

How Is the Black Trumpet Mushroom Cleaned?

Because sand and soil can collect in the hollow funnel shape, the mushroom is sliced lengthwise and cleaned inside with a brush or a slightly damp cloth; soaking in plenty of water is avoided.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the black trumpet mushroom called the “trumpet of the dead”?

Its name comes from its dark-black colour and funnel shape; it is not poisonous — on the contrary, it is a delicious and edible forest mushroom.

What does the black trumpet mushroom taste like?

It has an intense, earthy, and slightly fruity flavour; its aroma becomes more pronounced once dried.

Can the black trumpet mushroom be dried?

Yes; it dries easily and its flavour intensifies once dried. It is softened by soaking briefly in hot water before use.