John Miller
Mushroom foraging has become an increasingly popular activity, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, as it is a naturally socially distant activity that can be done while enjoying nature. Foraging for mushrooms can be intimidating due to the risks of misidentifying a species, with certain mushrooms being poisonous or even deadly. However, with the right knowledge and equipment, it can be a safe and rewarding hobby. Mushrooms can be found in various regions across the United States, offering a range of culinary and health benefits. By following guides, joining local mycology associations, and exercising caution, anyone can learn how to safely forage for mushrooms and enjoy their unique flavours and nutritional value.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Best time to forage | After heavy rain, late summer to early fall |
| Tools | Knife, paintbrush or soft-bristled toothbrush, mushroom guide/identification book, mushroom-identification app |
| Safety tips | Do not consume mushrooms unless you are certain they are edible, join a local mycology association, bring water and food |
| Health benefits | High protein and vitamins, boosts immune system, improves gut health, improves cognitive function, improves sleep |
| Locations | Pacific Northwest, Midwest, Northeast, Canada, South |
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What You'll Learn
What to bring: a knife, paintbrush, water, food, and a guide
Mushroom foraging is an increasingly popular activity, and for good reason. It's a great way to get outdoors, spend time in nature, and, if you're lucky, find some delicious mushrooms. But before you head out, it's important to make sure you have the right equipment. Here's what to bring:
A knife
A knife is necessary for several reasons. It can help you cut the fleshy tops of mushrooms, allowing you to harvest them while leaving the base intact for future growth. A knife is also useful for cleaning the stems, cutting them to check for worms, and extracting them cleanly from the ground. Just be careful not to damage the base of the mushroom, as this can make it harder to identify the species.
A paintbrush
Bringing a paintbrush or soft-bristled toothbrush allows you to clean the tops, gills, ridges, and pores of your mushrooms as you pick them. This helps reduce the amount of dirt that ends up in your mushroom basket, making your mushrooms easier to clean later.
Water
Foraging for mushrooms can be thirsty work, so it's important to stay hydrated. Be sure to bring at least one litre of water for every hour you plan to spend outdoors.
Food
Foraging can work up an appetite, but it's not advisable to snack on raw mushrooms. Bring lightweight, high-protein snacks like jerky or nuts to keep your energy up while you search.
A guide
Accurately identifying mushroom species is crucial, as some mushrooms are poisonous or even deadly. Bring a detailed mushroom guide, identification book, or pocket guide to help you distinguish edible mushrooms from their poisonous look-alikes. Joining a local mycology association or consulting with experts can also provide valuable knowledge and ensure you stay safe while foraging.
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Where to go: the Pacific Northwest, the Midwest, the Northeast
Mushroom foraging is a popular activity in the Pacific Northwest, the Midwest, and the Northeast. The activity is typically done for culinary purposes, although some mushrooms have medicinal and psychotropic uses. In the Pacific Northwest, edible mushrooms can be found all year round, but fall is a favorite among foragers as many of the tastiest mushrooms fruit during this time.
In the Pacific Northwest, you can find chanterelles, cauliflower mushrooms, Hericium species, matsutake, king bolete, morel, porcini, and oyster mushrooms. Chanterelles have a vase-like shape with wavy edges and a sweet, fruity odor. They grow in moist, shaded areas with filtered light, near mossy areas, decaying logs, and sword ferns. King boletes have a sponge-like layer of pores instead of gills and are commonly found under Douglas firs, spruces, and hemlocks. Lobster mushrooms have a bright orange to reddish-purple exterior and thrive in conifer forests, particularly under ponderosa pines.
In the Midwest, morel mushrooms are commonly found. In Minnesota, for example, there is an annual workshop hosted at Norwegian Wood that teaches people about the different types of mushrooms that grow in the region.
In the Northeast, there are edible mushrooms that can be found from late April until the frosts of autumn. While there is limited information on specific types of mushrooms and where to find them in the Northeast, there are books and guides that can help you identify mushrooms in this region.
Remember, it is crucial to properly identify mushrooms before consuming them, as some species can be poisonous.
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When to go: late summer to early fall, after heavy rain
Mushroom foraging is a fun activity, but it's important to know when to go. Mushrooms typically appear after a period of heavy rain, during an otherwise dry spell. They flourish in late summer to early fall, but you can also find them in spring and summer.
The best time to go out mushrooming is in late summer to early fall, after heavy rain. This is when most species come out, with temperatures dropping and evenings drawing in. The rain provides the perfect conditions for mushrooms to grow, and you can expect to find a variety of species, including Ceps, Chanterelles, and Hedgehogs.
If you're looking to forage in the late summer to early fall, keep an eye on the weather. Make sure there has been enough rain—mushrooms need moist, damp, and humid conditions. A good indicator is to look for rain in the forecast, followed by a few days of dry weather. This will ensure that the ground is moist enough for mushroom growth without being too wet for you to trek through.
Once the conditions are right, it's time to head out. Mushrooms can appear as soon as the day after rain, but some may take up to 10 days to fruit. So, if you're eager to find a large haul, be prepared to make multiple trips to your foraging spot.
In addition to the weather, some sources suggest that the moon phase also plays a role in mushroom foraging. According to folklore, the best time to go out is after the new moon up until the full moon, with the worst time being after the full moon. However, this belief has been disputed by some, who claim that the moon has no influence on mushroom growth.
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What to look for: chanterelles, oyster mushrooms, puffballs
Chanterelles are edible wild mushrooms that are most often golden yellow, although they can also be white or bright red. They are highly dependent on rain and are usually found on the forest floor, often in association with specific tree types. Chanterelles have false gills, like ridges, and there are over 20 different species. Be sure to get some practice with a local expert before consuming any wild mushrooms, as there are poisonous false species.
Oyster mushrooms are another common variety of wild mushrooms. They are identified by their decurrent gills, which are attached to and run directly down the stem. Oyster mushrooms are incredibly versatile and can be pan-fried with butter and garlic or deep-fried with a crumb coating. They are also one of the easiest mushrooms to grow at home. However, be cautious of the poisonous Omphalotus nidiformis, which can be mistaken for an oyster mushroom. It grows in Japan and Australia, so become familiar with this species if you live in those regions.
Puffballs are huge spore factories that can grow anywhere their spores have landed, unlike other mushrooms that come up in the same spots, usually near specific trees. They are pure, snow white inside and can be refrigerated or dehydrated after picking. Small puffballs will be pure white fluff when harvested at the proper edible stage, while larger ones are more commonly harvested.
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What to avoid: jack o'lanterns, death caps, raw mushrooms
When foraging for mushrooms, it is important to be able to distinguish between edible and poisonous mushrooms to avoid serious health risks. Here are some types of mushrooms to avoid:
Jack O'Lanterns
Jack O'Lantern mushrooms, also known as foxfire mushrooms or Omphalotus species, are often confused with edible chanterelles. They are bright orange or pumpkin-coloured and have a thick, fleshy, curving stem. They grow in hardwood forests during the summer and fall, often in large clusters around oak trees. Jack O'Lanterns are poisonous and should not be consumed.
Death Caps
Death caps, or Amanita phalloides, are deadly poisonous mushrooms that are responsible for the majority of mushroom-related fatalities worldwide. They are similar in appearance to some edible mushrooms, such as the paddy straw mushroom and A. princeps, commonly known as "white Caesar". Death caps have large fruiting bodies and greenish caps with white gills, although the cap colour can vary. As little as half a mushroom contains enough toxin to kill an adult human, causing liver and kidney failure.
Raw Mushrooms
While most mushrooms are typically cooked before consumption, it is important to note that some mushrooms should never be eaten raw. Consuming raw mushrooms can lead to discomfort and, in some cases, more severe health issues. Therefore, it is generally recommended to cook mushrooms thoroughly before eating them.
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Frequently asked questions
It is important to be cautious when foraging mushrooms, as some are poisonous and can cause illness or even death. To identify mushrooms, you can use identification books, pocket guides, or mushroom-identification apps. Examples of recommended books include *All the Rain Promises & More* by David Arora, *Mushrooms of the Northwest* by Teresa Marrone and Drew Parker, and *Mushrooms Demystified* by David Arora. You can also join a local mycology association to learn from experts.
Mushrooms can be found in nearly every region across the United States, except the dry, desert area of the Southwest. The Pacific Northwest, Midwest, Northeast, and South all offer a variety of mushrooms. In the Pacific Northwest, you can find morel, porcini, chanterelle, and matsutake mushrooms on the east side of the Cascade Mountains. In the Midwest, morels can be found near freshly dead elm trees. In the Northeast, you can find penny bun and hedgehog mushrooms, and in the South, oyster mushrooms and ramps.
Mushroom foraging does not require much equipment, but there are a few key items that are recommended. You should bring a knife to help extract the mushrooms from the ground and cut them to check for worms. A paintbrush or soft-bristle toothbrush can be useful for cleaning the mushrooms after picking them. If you are foraging on government land, you will likely need a permit. It is also important to bring water to stay hydrated, and lightweight, high-protein food to keep your energy up.
