Lycoperdon "stems" = morel taste???

[Ralph D. Arnold]

I recently read in a identification_/cook_book that the STERILE BASE of
these species, when cooked seperately from the puffballs, taste
remarkably like M*O*R*E*L*S.

Lycoperdon pyriforma (Pear-shaped Puffball)
Lycoperdon perlatum (Common Puffball; Gemmed Puffball)

  Since these species appear to be easier to artifically fruit than 
Morchella, this presents an interesting prospect.

Have you noticed this taste-feature?

Are you aware on anyone researching the cultivation of these species?

Best regards!

Ralph Arnold  <rarnold at teleport.com>