Hericium Erinaceus

Hericium erinaceus – referred to in Germany as "hedgehog quills beard" - is visually a very individual fungus that can be found on old deciduous trees, such as beech and oak trees, partly also on walnut and apple trees in autumn. Also in Germany, it is native, but rare.
Gourmets know the Hericium under the name of Pom-Pom blanc and love it as a delicacy. Its consistency and flavour is reminiscent of veal or poultry meat with slightly fruity aromas of coconut and lemongrass.
Scientists are interested in the mineral content of the hedgehog quills beard. It contains an above average number of many essential free amino acids. In one study, a content of 16% free amino acids was detected. A total of 19 free amino acids were found in the Pom-Pom; including almost all of the human essential amino acids (except for methionine and tryptophan). Hericium is meanwhile cultivated worldwide.