Nutrition, Foraging & Traditional Uses
Season
Late autumn – early winter
Habitat
Woodlands, leaf litter, compost heaps, grassy clearings
Edibility
Edible when cooked (must be fully cooked — never raw)
Introduction
The wood blewit is a striking lilac-purple mushroom often found in chilly late-autumn woods when most other fungi have disappeared. Its pastel hues fade with age, but its distinctive color and pleasant floral scent make it a favorite among foragers. When properly identified and cooked, it’s a delicious and fragrant addition to seasonal dishes.
Identification
🍄 Cap: 5–12 cm wide, lilac to mauve when young, fading to tan; smooth and slightly sticky.
💜 Gills: Crowded, pale lilac turning buff with age.
🟣 Stem: Cylindrical, fibrous, lilac-colored, sometimes with a white base.
⚪ Flesh: Pale lilac with a subtle fruity scent.
🔍 Spore print: Pale pinkish buff.
When to Harvest
- Best time: Late October – December
- Pick firm, fresh specimens before frost damage.
- Avoid older mushrooms that appear brown or emit an unpleasant odor.
- Always cook thoroughly to break down natural compounds.
Where to Find Them
Wood blewits thrive in damp leaf litter, especially under beech, oak, and pine trees. They often reappear year after year in the same location. After autumn rains, look for their soft lilac glow beneath fallen leaves or near compost heaps rich in organic matter.
Health Benefits
Rich in protein, fiber, and minerals like copper and potassium.
Contains antioxidants that support the immune system.
In folk medicine, used as a warming autumn tonic to strengthen digestion.
Recipes
Wood Blewit Cream Pasta
silky mushroom sauce with herbs and cream.
Blewit Toasts with Garlic Butter
perfect warm appetizer.
Wild Mushroom Soup
blend of blewits, porcini, and thyme.
Storage Tips
Fresh ❄️
2–3 days in fridge, paper bag (not plastic).
Dried 🏺
Slice and air-dry or use dehydrator; store in airtight jar.
Frozen 🥶
Lightly sauté before freezing for up to 6 months.
Folklore & Symbolism
In European folklore, their violet hue symbolized intuition, mystery, and transformation.
Associated with the waning moon — the time for reflection and quiet insight.
Said to appear where fairies danced at night, leaving their soft lavender glow in the forest.