Candy Cap
Generally only found dried (fresh Porcini Mushrooms can sometimes be spotted in December or January in U.S. markets), the candy cap is prized for desserts. It has a distinctive sweet maple scent and flavor that go well in shortbread or cheesecake.
Powdered, it can be added to pancake batter as a sweetener for diabetics. It can be expensive, but half an ounce is enough for a gallon of ice cream, says Garrone. Shelf life: 2 to 3 days fresh, 1 year dried