Bearded Milkcap
Lactarius torminosus
Edible
★★☆☆☆
Taste rating: 2 out of 5
How to identify it
Cap
Convex to expanded, pink to yellow-red and zoned, with a distinctly bearded cap margin.
Underside
Yellow-white to pinkish gills, attached to slightly decurrent.
Stem
Light red-pink and smooth.
Smell
No strong smell is given as the main characteristic.
Occurrence and habitat
Grows with birch in pastures as well as deciduous and mixed woodland.
Preparation
Bearded Milkcap must be boiled in plenty of water, and the cooking water must be discarded before further preparation. After parboiling it can be fried or used in stews.
Recipe suggestions
Creamy Bearded Milkcap stew: prepare the mushroom according to the recommended method. Then fry with onion in butter, add cream and simmer for a few minutes. Season with salt, black pepper and parsley.
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⚠ Important safety information
Must be boiled in plenty of water, which is then discarded. The burning white milk is an important characteristic.
Must be boiled in plenty of water, which is then discarded. The burning white milk is an important characteristic.
Facts and sources
Sources
Svampguiden; SLU Artdatabanken / Artfakta as an ongoing reference source
Svampguiden; SLU Artdatabanken / Artfakta as an ongoing reference source
Fact text compiled and checked 2026-09-27