The fungus can be bitter, although this is less apparent in younger specimens. Submerging the mushrooms in boiling water will remove this.[1] It can be pickled or dried and used as flavouring.[2] In Bulgaria it is collected, dried and finely ground to be used as an aromatic mushroom flour.[13] It is reported as edible but of poor quality in the United States by some sources[4][5] but as deliciously edible by others.[1] It may cause gastrointestinal upsets.[7]