5 Easy Ways to Identify Turkey Tail Mushrooms!

Turkey Tail Mushrooms

Turkey Tail (Trametes veriscolor) mushrooms grow all over the world, and they are some of the most prolific mushrooms in North America. In China, they are known as cloud fungi because of their beautiful undulating shapes. In Japan they are known as, kawaratake, which means “mushroom by the river”. Isn’t that beautiful? It sounds like the start of a wonderful haiku, doesn’t it?

Here in North America, we call them Turkey Tails because, well, that’s exactly what they look like: a turkey’s tail.They grow on dead logs and are an important decomposer in our forest environments. They’ve also been used as medicine for centuries. So, i’ll be sure to list some of those medicinal benefits below, but first let’s learn how to identify them!

Just so you know, there are some tricky look-alike out there. Fortunately, none of them are toxic, but you won’t get the medicinal benefits of from the imposters, so let’s make sure you know how to identify them.

5 Easy Ways to Identify Turkey Tail Mushrooms

1. Rich Brown Color. When they are ripe, these mushrooms really do look just like a turkey’s tail—in shape and color! Think of all the rich browns you see in a turkey’s tail and you’ll get the picture. They also have multiple (often multicolored) stripes that follow the contours of the mushroom’s shape (hence the name versicolor).

2. No Algae. Algae doesn’t grow on these mushrooms, so if you see a mushroom with green algae on the top, you’ve got the wrong guy—or, I guess I should say ‘gi’.

3. White Bottoms. Be sure to check the underside of the mushroom. If it’s bright white, you know you are on the right track! If it’s starting to turn brown—take a pass.

4. Many Holes. Be sure to check for all the tell-tale tiny holes that are scattered all over the bottom of this mushroom. These holes are why they are called a polypore (meaning many holes). FYI: There are look alikes that are totally smooth. The holes are visible, but can be small, so you may want to carry a small hand lens or loop to be sure. (*Plus it’s always fun to carry a hand lens with you. They open up whole worlds to us that we might not see otherwise!)

5. Flexible & Leathery. Think suede in texture and smell. They are soft to the touch and flexible, but are also pretty tough and dry in overall feel.

Look for white and pores underneath!

Culinary Uses

That dry, leathery texture makes for a pretty tough mushroom. So this is not the kind of mushroom you’re going to want to take home and saute for pasta. Nevertheless, there are plenty of ways to access the medicinal benefits:

• Dry and powder them

• Use them like you would a bay leaf in your favorite soup

• Make a delicious broth

• Make Turkey Tail tea.

Turkey Tail Tea

I happen to love that rich, deep woody flavor of mushrooms, and if you do too, you’re going to love this tea!

To make Turkey Tail tea, take 4-5 medium sized mushrooms and tear into small pieces. Simmer in water on low heat for at least 20-30 minutes. Feel free to experiment—e.g. you can brew this tea for longer and/or add more mushrooms for a stronger flavor. Another idea is to “brew” turkey tail mushrooms for 6-8 hours in a crock pot—like you would a broth. Then freeze the broth in ice cube trays that you can warm up for tea or add to your favorite soups and stews.

Turkey Tail Mushrooms grow on rotting logs

Medicinal Benefits of Turkey Tail Mushrooms

When you read about all the incredible benefits of these mushrooms, you’re probably going to want to rush out and get yourself some! Please remember to forage responsibly! Take a few, but always leave some too!

Here are just some of the amazing medicinal benefits of Turkey Tail Mushrooms

1. Strong antioxidant

2. Strengthens Immunity

3. Removes toxins

4. Increases energy

5. Helps with inflammation & joint pain

6. Supports liver & gut health

7. Boosts athletic performance

8. Adaptogen (helps with stress)

9. Helps relieve coughs and breathing difficulties

10. Fights cancer! (esp. breast cancer)

Do you forage for Turkey Tail mushrooms? Have you ever tried Turkey Tail tea? Be sure to let me know in the comments! I would love to hear your adventures with this wonderful mushroom!