3 Michelin StarsLuxury Ingredient
Morel Mushroom
The morel mushroom—with its distinctive honeycomb cap and nutty, earthy flavor—announces the arrival of spring in the culinary world. Unlike cultivated mushrooms, morels grow only in the wild, appearing briefly from April through June in forests across the Pacific Northwest, the Midwest, and parts of France. Foragers guard their morel spots jealously, returning year after year to the same locations where these elusive fungi fruit. This scarcity, combined with morels' concentrated, almost meaty flavor, makes them one of the most expensive mushrooms in fine dining—often $40-60 per pound when in season. Chefs prize morels for their ability to absorb sauces while maintaining their distinctive texture and flavor. Whether sautéed in butter with wild ramps, folded into cream sauces, or paired with braised meats (as at Eleven Madison Park), morels add an earthy complexity that signals serious culinary craftsmanship.
Origin: Pacific Northwest, France
Season: April - June
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The Story of Morel Mushroom
The morel mushroom—with its distinctive honeycomb cap and nutty, earthy flavor—announces the arrival of spring in the culinary world. Unlike cultivated mushrooms, morels grow only in the wild, appearing briefly from April through June in forests across the Pacific Northwest, the Midwest, and parts of France. Foragers guard their morel spots jealously, returning year after year to the same locations where these elusive fungi fruit. This scarcity, combined with morels' concentrated, almost meaty flavor, makes them one of the most expensive mushrooms in fine dining—often $40-60 per pound when in season. Chefs prize morels for their ability to absorb sauces while maintaining their distinctive texture and flavor. Whether sautéed in butter with wild ramps, folded into cream sauces, or paired with braised meats (as at Eleven Madison Park), morels add an earthy complexity that signals serious culinary craftsmanship.
Origin
Pacific Northwest, France
Peak Season
April - June
Chef Perspectives on Morel Mushroom
Hear from the chefs who have mastered this ingredient at their restaurants.
"House‑made seitan braised until tender, wrapped in spinach and served with morel mushrooms and a savory reduction."
Le Bernardin
Eleven Madison Park →Seasonal Availability
Morel Mushroom is at its peak during April - June.
Plan your dining experience during these months to enjoy this ingredient at its finest. Many of our partner restaurants offer special seasonal tasting menus featuring Morel Mushroom.
Restaurants Serving Seasonal Morel Mushroom
- Eleven Madison Park
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