Brittlegills or Russulas

Brittlegills or Russulas are not a poisonous genus of mushrooms but many of them are quite inedible because of a very hot or bitter flavour. However, many are edible and some species are especially good. A good test is to taste them in the woods where you find them and to reject any which are at all unpleasant. Just take a tiny gnat-sized piece on your tongue and spit it out right away, the nasty hot or bitter taste will come through in a moment or two.