It is one of the first of the edible mushrooms to appear in the spring. The taste of a morel is singular, but everyone has their own way of describing it, from rich to subtle, woody to wild. One thing is sure, if you like mushrooms at all, you will love morels. And love them we do. Morel lovers wax rhapsodic about the mushroom, finding it, cooking it, eating it.
Artists paint it's portrait .
Many communities have special events revolving around morel picking. A good mushroom hunter guards his or her hunting grounds very closely. Obviously, if you know an accomplished hunter you will benefit from this friendship. Not all of us are so lucky. At this time of year in St. Louis, the best place to find fresh morels is in taverns over on the Illinois side.