Look at this beauty. Just look at it!
Have you ever seen a more beautiful looking mushroom? These little beauties are called Scarlet Elf Cups for a good reason, it is said that woodland elves use them to drink water.
Scarlet elf cups aka Sarcoscypha austriaca are saprobic fungi, which means they help rot down dead wood. You can find them as early as February and as late as December in the UK woodlands which means that they are around most of the year.
One of the most common fungi, they are very easy to identify, as their bright red (some are yellow and very rarely even white (!)) cup-shaped form is quite unique and difficult to misinterpret.
They have a leathery texture and they hold well in stews and soups which makes them ideal for those mid-winter comfort foods we crave in the colder months.
I could only find the one in today’s foraging walk, but stay tuned to see some recipes from this beautiful little specimen!
(Fer)mental Greens 