Foraging Mushrooms: Picking The Right Ones

Mushroom picking is a popular activity, with many individuals roaming through woods and forests in search of this rare treat. However, it is important to be well-prepared, as the majority of mushrooms are inedible, and some are even deadly. To avoid picking toxic or inedible mushrooms, it is essential to take a guide or use an app that can help identify mushrooms. It is also important to know when and where to pick mushrooms, as well as how to store them properly.

Cutting vs. pulling: Twisting and pulling mushrooms can prevent damage to the bud, but cutting prevents rot

There are differing opinions on the best way to pick mushrooms. Some people prefer to twist and pull the mushroom from the mycelium, while others argue for cutting the fruit bodies off where they join the ground to avoid damaging the mycelium.

Those who favour twisting and pulling believe that this method prevents the residual stump left by cutting from rotting and infecting the mycelium. However, others argue that this belief is ridiculous, as all fungi will eventually rot away if left untouched. Additionally, pulling may leave a larger wound that is more susceptible to disease.

On the other hand, those who advocate for cutting mushrooms believe that it reduces the risk of damaging the mycelium and the potential for disease transmission. They argue that pulling the mushroom can create a mold-prone crater in the mycelium and that cutting provides a cleaner break.

Some people also consider the type of mushroom when deciding between cutting and pulling. For example, mycorrhizal fungi, such as chanterelles, ceps, and hedgehog mushrooms, typically detach cleanly when pulled from their mycelial web. In contrast, saprophytic fungi, like the wood blewit, clouded agaric, and shaggy parasol, tend to bring a large clump of mycelium with them when pulled.

While there are passionate advocates for both methods, several long-term studies have concluded that it makes little to no difference to the fungus whether mushrooms are cut or pulled. The exception to this may be the Chaga mushroom, according to a 35-year German study. Ultimately, factors like weather and environment seem to be more critical in influencing the fungus's ability to produce mushrooms.

Types of edible mushrooms: Yellow and funnel chanterelles, and boleti are edible. Avoid red with dots and white mushrooms

When picking mushrooms, it is important to be able to distinguish between edible and poisonous varieties. Yellow and funnel chanterelles, and boleti mushrooms are edible, while red mushrooms with white dots and pure white mushrooms should be avoided.

Chanterelles are a family of edible mushrooms that are prized for their distinct flavor and aroma. They are often described as having a fruity apricot aroma and a light peppery flavor with hints of almond. Chanterelles are typically yellow or orange in color, with a distinctive funnel-shaped cap and false gills or veins under the cap. They grow directly from the ground, often in hardwood forests near water sources, and are usually found singularly rather than in clusters.

When foraging for chanterelles, it is important to bring the right tools, including a basket, gardening gloves, and a sharp paring knife. While some foragers twist and pull the mushrooms from the ground, others recommend cutting them to avoid damaging the delicate mycelium below. Cutting also helps keep dirt out of your basket and makes cleaning the mushrooms easier.

After harvesting, it is crucial to clean the mushrooms thoroughly. Break them in half and use a toothbrush to brush away any dirt. Alternatively, swish them in cool water and use a paring knife to scrape off any remaining dirt and false gills. Cleaned chanterelles can be stored in a paper bag or towel in the fridge for up to 10 days.

Boleti mushrooms are also edible and can be identified by their distinctive characteristics. However, it is important to be cautious when foraging for mushrooms, as many varieties look similar, and some are poisonous. Always properly identify mushrooms before consuming them to avoid potential health risks.

Learn from experts: Join mycological clubs and walks to learn from expert mycologists

Learning from experts is one of the best ways to become adept at identifying and picking mushrooms. Joining mycological societies and clubs can provide access to mycologists and experienced mushroom enthusiasts who can guide and teach you. These societies often organise walks and forays, which are led by experts

Use a guide: Get a book with pictures and descriptions to identify mushrooms

When it comes to picking mushrooms, it's important to know what you're doing. The majority of mushrooms are inedible, and some common ones are so poisonous that they can kill you. For example, the death cap mushroom (Amanita phalloides) looks like an Alice in Wonderland toadstool, with a little parasol cap on top of a stem and gills.

To identify mushrooms, it's a good idea to get a book with pictures and descriptions. The Mushroom Book: How to Identify, Gather and Cook Wild Mushrooms and Other Fungi, by Thomas Laessoe, Anna Del Conte, and Gary Lincoff, is a great option. It has accurate information, clear organisation, and well-done pictures. It covers 100 edible species, with colour photographs showing the whole specimen from various angles, illustrations of typical growing situations, and symbols to indicate important features like approximate size and edibility. It also includes tips on collecting, preserving, and cooking mushrooms, along with 20 recipes.

Another book to consider is Fischer and Alan E. Bessette's Edible Wild Mushrooms of North America: A Field to Kitchen Guide. This book is profusely illustrated and provides concise text to help you differentiate between mushrooms. For example, it can help you tell the difference between the delectable parasol mushroom and the highly toxic green-gilled parasol mushroom, which looks very similar.

The National Audubon Society Field Guide to Mushrooms is another excellent resource for foraging. It's small enough to fit in your backpack and has tons of different mushroom species laid out in an easy-to-navigate format. You can search by shape, colour, and type, and there are lots of nice photographs. However, this book doesn't have "dichotomous keys", so it might be challenging to identify the exact species of mushrooms you find.

If you're looking for an extensive resource, Mushrooms Demystified by David Arora is an encyclopedia of mushroom information with 1,056 pages. It provides "dichotomous keys" to help you identify the species of mushrooms you find. However, it's relatively outdated, with many species names changing since its publication in 1986.

The Complete Mushroom Hunter by Gary Lincoff is another illustrated guide with clear information.

When picking mushrooms, there are two main techniques: cutting them where they join the ground or twisting and pulling them from the mycelium. Chanterelles, for example, can be cleanly detached from their mycelium, and you only need to snip off the dirty bit of the base and give them a quick brush before cooking. Mycorrhizal fungi, like chanterelles, cep, and hedgehog mushrooms, usually detach cleanly when pulled, while saprophytic fungi, like wood blewits, clouded agaric, and shaggy parasols, tend to bring a large clod of mycelium with them.

Ecological considerations: Mushrooms serve an ecological purpose and should not be picked unless for consumption

Mushrooms are differentiated from other fungi by their plant-like structure. They have a cap and stem formation that serves as the fruiting body, and at their base are root-like filaments called mycelium. Mycelium is a network of microscopic fungal threads that are vital to ecosystems worldwide. This network forms connections with roots, bacteria, and other fungi, and some ecologists refer to it as the "wood-wide-web".

The mushrooms that we see above ground are the fruit of the fungi webs, which lie underground. Mushrooms are spore-holders for reproduction; they spread spores to new areas by wind, animals, and water. They also carry out important functions in their ecosystems, such as improving soil health, decomposing organic materials, and providing and distributing nutrients to sustain the growth of plants and animals. They even help plants resist diseases and alleviate the effects of climate change by sequestering carbon.

Given the ecological importance of mushrooms, they should not be picked unless for consumption. When foraging for mushrooms, it is important to be mindful of the potential damage to the mycelium. Practical experience shows that different species may require different picking techniques. For example, mycorrhizal fungi (such as chanterelles, ceps, and hedgehog mushrooms) usually detach cleanly when pulled from their mycelial web, while saprophytic fungi (such as wood blewits, clouded agaric, and shaggy parasols) tend to bring a large clod of mycelium with them when pulled. Therefore, it is recommended to carefully gather only mature, fully opened mushrooms, being careful not to trample the mycelium in the top layer of soil. Additionally, carrying the mushrooms with their gills down in an open-weave basket can help broadcast their spores over a wider area.

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