Foraging for edible mushrooms is gaining in popularity. Whether it be the thrill of the hunt, the medicinal benefits, the culinary delight or just to get out in nature for some exercise, this hobby is taking off. But, before you run out and start collecting wild mushrooms, there are a few ground rules to go over.
There are surprisingly few varieties of wild mushrooms that are edible and even less that are considered choice. The vast majority of mushrooms you will encounter in the woods will range from inedible to horrific death. Pro tip; Avoid these at all costs!
A good tool kit is essential in identifying wild mushrooms. The very best being hunting with an actual mycologist. But, apart from that, having a multi-tiered approach to identification is best. Books and Apps are a great start. Educate yourself before you even head out. Choose mushrooms like Chicken Of The Woods and Golden Oysters to start, as they have little chance of misidentification with no real poisonous lookalikes. YouTube channels hosted by professionals are also a great reference.Â
Do your homework and never ever eat anything you are not absolutely certain of. That is a gamble not worth taking. Sometimes the best harvest is a great collection of pictures. These little buggers are photogenic! Even the drop you in your tracks deadly poisonous ones…
