Delicacy growing in the woods: "Once you find a good spot, you don't want to let anyone know"



WAUKESHA COUNTY (WITI) -- There is something growing in Wisconsin's woods capable of padding your wallet, but this forest treasure isn't around for long. And good luck getting those who know about it to tell you where to find it!

"Once you find a good spot, you don't want to let anyone know," Josh Brinkman said.

Brinkman and his five-year-old son Connor and four-year-old son Bryce were on the hunt in the woods of Waukesha County. Using keen eyes and a height advantage close to the ground, it didn't take long to hit the jackpot.

"I found a mushroom!" Bryce yelled.

Growing in Wisconsin's woods is the prized morel mushroom.  The tasty food brings out foragers every year.  It's a delicacy you won't find in most grocery stores.

"The morel is one of only a few mushrooms they don't know how to reproduce," Brinkman said.

The best way to get your hands on a morel is to take a hike.  Brinkman says finding morels is not always easy.  He tends to look in areas around dying elm trees sometime after Mother's Day.  There is no exact science to finding morels, and the season only lasts about four weeks or less.

"This is the time you are finding the money mushrooms and they are usually bigger," Brinkman said.



Brinkman says the mushrooms are about to dry up for good.  Due to their short season, and high demand, Brinkman says foragers have been known to get up to $50 a pound.

Although for Brinkman and his family, heading into the woods has nothing to do with money.

FOX6 News joined Brinkman and his sons on this hunt for mushrooms. Within about two hours, two small bags were filled. Then it was time to enjoy the bounty.

"It's just like filleting a fish.  You cut it length-wise right down the middle," Brinkman said.

Brinkman offered FOX6 News a morel mushroom omelette -- a tasty meal -- but for the Brinkman family, it's more about being together.