Curry milkcap: identification and lookalikes

Identification in 5 steps

The curry milkcap is a small, red-brown milkcap with watery white milk. Dried, it smells strongly of Maggi seasoning or camphor and is used as a flavouring mushroom.

SeasonJune to November

Spore printcream

FamilyRussulaceae

Cap. The cap is 2 to 5 cm wide, red brown to dark chestnut brown, often with a small bump.
Underside. The gills are cinnamon brown.
Stem, ring and volva. The stem is the same colour as the cap and thin. There is no ring or volva.
Smell and taste. Fresh, it smells of bed bugs; dried, of Maggi seasoning or camphor.
Flesh and colour change. The milk is watery white and mild.

Lookalikes

Only as a dried seasoning in small amounts.

Rufous milkcap Lactarius rufus

inedible

It is larger and tastes very acrid.

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Mild milkcap Lactarius subdulcis

inedible

It has a smooth cap and does not smell of Maggi seasoning.

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Habitat & Season

Acidic, nutrient-poor soils. From the lowlands up into the hills and mountains.

Host trees

Mixed conifer and broadleaf woods.

Season

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

possible good main season

Mushroom regions with a daily forecast

There are no records per region for this species yet. The country pages lead to all regions with a daily forecast.

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Chance near you

How good are the chances of finding this species where you are right now? We calculate it from weather, soil moisture, altitude and forest at your location.

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Safety

Never eat a mushroom you have not identified with certainty. For experienced foragers only: heed the restrictions, and if in doubt, do not eat it.

Advice for your country

United Kingdom

Poison centre:

NHS 111 (England)111

Emergency: 999 · 112

Ireland

Poison centre:

National Poisons Information Centre (public line)(01) 809 2166

Emergency: 112 · 999

Germany

Poison centre:

Giftnotruf Berlin030 19240Giftinformationszentrum München089 19240GIZ-Nord Göttingen0551 19240

Emergency: 112

Mushroom advice: DGfM: find a mushroom expert. Certified mushroom experts of the German Mycological Society (DGfM).

Collecting rules: Mushrooms that are not specially protected may be collected in small quantities for personal use unless a protected area or ban applies. Certain specially protected edible species (e.g. cep, chanterelle, birch bolete) may be collected in small quantities for personal use.

Austria

Poison centre:

Vergiftungsinformationszentrale (VIZ)01 406 43 43

Emergency: 112 · 144

Mushroom advice: Austrian Mycological Society (ÖMG): mushroom advice. Mushroom advice by the Austrian Mycological Society or regional services such as municipal market offices.

Collecting rules: At most 2 kg of mushrooms per person per day unless the forest owner has prohibited collecting; organised collecting events are prohibited. Additional state rules apply (collecting hours, closed seasons), e.g. Carinthia, Tyrol, Vorarlberg, Salzburg.

Conservation and collecting rules

Not specially protected.

No species-specific rule known.

Red List Germany: Least concern

In the kitchen

Dried and ground as a seasoning powder. Heat thoroughly.

That is what it is meant for. Use only in small amounts as a seasoning.

Never eat wild mushrooms raw, and always cook them for at least 15 minutes.
Use only young, fresh, maggot-free specimens that you have identified with certainty.
Carry mushrooms in an airy basket, not in plastic bags, and prepare them the same day.

Frequently asked questions

Curry milkcap: is it edible?

Only with restrictions. Only as a dried seasoning in small amounts. Heat thoroughly.

Curry milkcap: when and where does it grow?

In central Europe the season runs from June to November. Tree partners and habitat: Mixed conifer and broadleaf woods. Soil: Acidic, nutrient-poor soils. Elevation: From the lowlands up into the hills and mountains.

Curry milkcap: what are the lookalikes?

The most important distinction is from Rufous milkcap (Lactarius rufus, inedible): It is larger and tastes very acrid. Other lookalikes: Mild milkcap.

Related species

Delicious milk cap Lactarius deliciosus
False saffron milkcap Lactarius deterrimus
Salmon milkcap Lactarius salmonicolor
Fleecy milk-cap Lactarius vellereus
Sooty milkcap Lactarius lignyotus
Ochre brittlegill Russula ochroleuca

Mushroom trainer: test yourself

Sources

Photo credits

Photo: Irene Andersson (Mushroom Observer) · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Rufous milkcap: Photo: (Photo by E. Barge) Barge EG, Cripps CL (2016) New reports, … · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Mild milkcap: Photo: User:Strobilomyces · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

No substitute for having your finds checked in person. No guarantee of accuracy. Updated: 17.10.2026.