Once-exotic mushrooms -- king trumpets, maitake and shimeji -- get ready to rise on Southern California turf

KING trumpets that have a texture almost as firm and meaty as young porcini; shimejishimeji that have a flavor that is wonderfully nutty; hen of the woods with a taste as earthy as their name. If you still think the cutting edge in grocery store mushrooms is enoki, shiitake and portobello, you've got some very pleasant surprises coming.

By Russ Parsons

October 1, 2008