(12 votes, average: 3.42 out of 5)
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Bitter Beech Bolete
Inedible 
Autumn 
Summer 
The Bitter Beech Bolete, Caloboletus calopus, is a magnificent mushroom but sadly is inedible.
Although not poisonous, this mushroom will ruin any dish you put it in due to its extreme bitterness.
| Mushroom Type | |
| Common Names | Bitter Beech Bolete (EN), Cap Tyllog Chwerw'r Ffawydd (CY), Gorzkoborowik Żółtopory (PL), Farkastinóru (HU) |
| Scientific Name | Boletus / Caloboletus calopus |
| Synonyms | Boletus calopus |
| Season Start | Aug |
| Season End | Nov |
| Average Mushroom height (CM) | 8 |
| Average Cap width (CM) | 15 |
Please note that each and every mushroom you come across may vary in appearance to these photos.
Cap
Cloudy grey with some tan hints. Starting a bit downy but becoming smooth with age. Can crack towards the centre.
Pores
Lemon yellow, tight, sponge like pores which bruise a pale blueish green.
Stem
Lemon yellow at the top going into red and finally brown at the bottom, this is covered in a light coloured mesh. The stem has traces of ‘roots’ when pulled up.
Flesh
Pale yellow but turning immediately off white on cutting and changing to blue after a short time.
Habitat
Beech and oak but will grow with other deciduous trees.
Possible Confusion
Other Boletes, particularly the Rooting Bolete (Caloboletus radicans), pictured.
Spore Print
Olive/brown. Subfusiform.
Taste / Smell
Bitter.
Frequency
Fairly common.
1 comment for Bitter Beech Bolete
Thanks for the advice, I found what I initially thought was a red cracked bolete but after seeing your video on red cracked boletes and comparing with a bitter bolete, I realised that I had a bitter bolete. As soon as I cut it, the flesh and gills turned blue – oh well hopefully better luck on my next foraging trip.