I have been hearing mixed reports about beefsteaks. . .some say they are poisonous others say they taste great?? what is going on. . .i'm confused.

John here is a link to a warning on this topic. viewtopic.php?p=23416#p23416
Do Not Eat Them

Again DO NOT EAT beefsteaks....

I have talked with many people over the years about beefsteaks and have heard the same thing you have. Some say they are great and some say they are poisonous. Let me tell you that from personal experience I will no longer eat them.

From what I have read, they contain a toxin that may also be found in jet fuel. You may eat them for years and then drop dead from the smell of them cooking. All I know is I had eaten them many times with no problems then one time I got so sick that I wished someone would put me out of my misery.

As far as I am concerned they are not tasty enough for me to go through that again. I'll take a true morel anytime. So, be warned, they may not make you sick now, next time or ever but if you do get mushroom poisonig you will regret it.

Just to clarify, there are two types of mushroom called the "beefsteak."

First--and I assume that is what we are talking about here--there is the "beefsteak morel," gyromitra esculenta, which is similar to a morel, though reddish and not hollow. This may contain MMH, a potentially deadly poison, and is best avoided.

Then there is the "beefsteak mushroom," fistulina hepatica, a polypore which bears a striking resemblance to raw steak when sliced. This mushroom is edible and quite ineresting, both because of the appearance and because it has a sour taste that is very distinct from a typical mushroom taste profile. I personally don't find it to be delicious, but it is certainly a fun and interesting find, because of both the appearance and the taste.

Of course, if there is any uncertainty, the old proverb applies: (Say it with me)

"When in doubt . . . throw it out."

Good hunting this year,

-Kempin

Why would anyone want to eat beefsteaks when there are morels up that time of year?The same thing goes for Verpas,why even bother...

Again, DO NOT EAT BEEFSTEAKS!

Eric and Dan both said it right...Although many have ate Gyromitra's with multi par boilings to reduce the MMH but there is a tipping point where just a bit kills you. NOT worth the risk, they don't even taste that good...Yup my Scandinavian family did eat them and I have...Thank you God I did not "tip" to death. The "true" beefsteak is a neat polypore find, fistulina hepatica is an acquired taste. I like it but have only found it twice here in Michigan. Verpa's are another topic. Yup some are tasty, yup some will make you regret eating them. Never eat a Verpa raw! My to little cents... Edited comment...I might not have made it clear, DO NOT EAT THEM! If and when you absolutely can Identify the Verpa that MIGHT not cause trouble...never give to others as an edible. You might not have a reaction but your guests might curse you on their hospital bed. PM me if you want to hear a personal experience.

Actually Paullee, Just put the story out in the open. Just make a new thread with the Title like: "My Verpa(false morel) experience".
I think a warning story could help sway a few people and convey why we preach to not eat Verpa Bohemica or Gyromitra Esculenta.

Also, I have heard of people getting sick from just par-boiling the false morels. The MMH boils out of the false morels and floats in the water vapor (AKA steam). This can be inhaled, which is a better medium to get something in the bloodstream faster and in a more pure state. Even if you don't eat them you may still be at risk if someone cooks them around you.

One other thing I may add is that for some reason, even though it is the same species, the European gyromitra esculenta contains no MMH. This is where a lot of families that came from Europe got the notion to eat the Gyromitra Esculenta in the Americas. This is also why many believe that it is safe for consumption.

MonomethylHydrazine....for those non believers...look it up and do some reading on it,very nasty compound.....All I can say about beefsteaks and verpas is..............FORE !!!!!