Michael Davis
Mushroom picking is a fun hobby that can be dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. To get started, you'll need to learn how to identify mushrooms and understand the risks involved. You can do this by joining a mycological society, purchasing a field guide, or going on walks with an experienced forager. When you're ready to go picking, make sure you have the right equipment, including a small trowel, a knife, a basket, a magnifying glass, and a map. Always pick fleshy mushrooms that look fresh, and be sure to cook them before eating. Remember, if in doubt, throw it out!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Safety | Avoid poisoning yourself by consulting expert mycologists, joining a mycological society, and carrying a mushroom field guide for your region. |
| Equipment | A small garden trowel or hand weeder, a mushroom cutting knife, a basket, a magnifying glass, a physical book with high-resolution photos, bug repellent, water, snacks, and a permit (if necessary). |
| Preservation | Sautéing and freezing, pickling, canning, and drying with a food dehydrator. |
| Mushroom characteristics | Fleshy, fresh, and edible. |
| Location | High-quality landscapes, such as forests, fields, and local parks, with permission from the landowner if required. |
| Companions | Friends, dogs, and experienced foragers or mycologists. |
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What You'll Learn
- What to bring: A mushroom field guide, a knife, a basket, a map, water, snacks, and bug spray?
- Where to go: Choose high-quality landscapes, like local parks or forests?
- When to go: Mushrooms often appear after rain, in spring and fall?
- What to pick: Look for fleshy, fresh mushrooms and use spore prints for identification?
- What to do after: Cook your mushrooms and consider preserving them by drying?
What to bring: A mushroom field guide, a knife, a basket, a map, water, snacks, and bug spray
Mushroom picking is a fun hobby, but it can be dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. Mushroom hunters have a saying: "You can eat any mushroom... once." It's important to be cautious when it comes to eating mushrooms that you've picked in the wild. Many mushrooms are inedible, and some are so poisonous that they can kill you.
Here's what you should bring with you when you go mushroom picking:
- A mushroom field guide: This is essential, especially if you're not an expert mushroom forager. Be sure to get a guide that's specific to your region, as different types of mushrooms grow in different areas. Review the guide before you head out, and double-check it before you pick any mushrooms. You might also want to bring a general book on mycology to review the fundamentals of mushroom picking.
- A knife: You'll need a clean, sharp knife to cut the mushrooms close to the base. You can also use scissors or a special mushroom cutting knife.
- A basket: You'll need something to carry your mushrooms in. A large basket is ideal, and you might also want a backpack to carry your gear.
- A map: Bring a local, regional, or park map to help you find your way home, especially if you're adventuring off the beaten path. A GPS can also be helpful.
- Water and snacks: Mushroom picking can be thirsty and hungry work, especially if you're trekking up and down mountainsides. Make sure you stay hydrated and well-fed.
- Bug spray: You don't want to get eaten alive by bugs, so pack a can of DEET-free bug repellent.
Remember, if you're ever in doubt about whether a mushroom is safe to pick or eat, it's best to leave it alone. It's also a good idea to go mushroom picking with a friend or a group, especially if they're more experienced than you. That way, you can learn from them and avoid making dangerous mistakes.
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Where to go: Choose high-quality landscapes, like local parks or forests
When choosing a location for mushroom picking, opt for high-quality landscapes such as local parks or forests. Private property (with permission) and national forests (with permits) are the most accessible places to hunt for mushrooms. Always obtain permission from the landowner if you are not picking mushrooms in your yard. Some states, like Ohio, offer mushroom-picking permits.
Before heading out, it is crucial to research and identify the types of mushrooms you are looking for, as this will help you choose the right landscape. For instance, if you are looking for chanterelles, you are more likely to find them in mossy coniferous forests or mountainous birch forests. In Michigan, morels are typically found near dying ash trees or apple orchards, whereas in Colorado, you should look for big conifers, especially firs. On the other hand, if you are after oyster mushrooms, you can find them everywhere for months as long as it's consistently raining; they grow out of trees, fallen logs, and stumps.
State parks and reserves are also great options for mushroom picking. Some parks even offer occasional guided walks with wildlife experts to help identify mushrooms. However, it is important to note that rules and regulations vary among parks, and some may not allow foraging. For example, national parks in the United States operate under a "preservation" model, where natural wildlife should not be disturbed. In contrast, national forests follow a "conservation" model, allowing limited and sustainable use of natural resources, including mushrooms.
Local parks and forests can provide a fun and accessible way to start your mushroom-picking journey. Remember to always follow local guidelines and pick sustainably, leaving some mushrooms behind to complete their lifecycle.
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When to go: Mushrooms often appear after rain, in spring and fall
Mushroom picking is a popular activity for those who enjoy foraging for their own food or simply exploring the outdoors. The best time to go mushroom picking is in the spring and fall, after rainfall, when the weather is moist and warm—ideal conditions for mushroom growth.
Spring, particularly April and May, is a great time to forage for morels, which are one of the first mushrooms to appear in the warmer weather. Morels are identified by their off-white stems and elliptical caps, which can be nearly black, light brown, or beige, and are distinguished by a web of thin veins that resemble a honeycomb. If you're interested in picking morels, head to states like Tennessee, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Virginia, and Maryland.
Fall is also an excellent season for mushroom picking, with many species flourishing in the cooler, moist conditions. Chanterelles, for example, tend to appear in the late spring and early fall when temperatures drop below 70 degrees Fahrenheit at night. The ideal biome for mushroom hunting is an old-growth forest with a mix of coniferous and deciduous trees, such as spruce, fir, hemlock, birch, beech, and poplar. These forests provide a greater variety of mushrooms and more favourable conditions for their growth.
In addition to the spring and fall, mushrooms can be foraged year-round, depending on the region and weather conditions. However, it's important to be mindful of local regulations and laws regarding mushroom picking, as some areas may have restrictions or require permits.
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What to pick: Look for fleshy, fresh mushrooms and use spore prints for identification
When picking mushrooms, it is important to know what to look for. You want to pick the fleshy mushrooms that look fresh and edible. Use a clean and sharp knife to cut them as close as possible to the base. Put them in a basket and then, when you get home, put them in a closed paper bag in the refrigerator. They should last for about a week. If they look old or decaying, leave them in the ground.
It is important to be cautious when picking mushrooms in the wild, as some mushrooms are poisonous and can be dangerous if eaten. A popular saying among mushroom hunters is, "You can eat any mushroom... once". This underscores the importance of being able to identify mushrooms correctly. One way to identify mushrooms is by looking at their base, as some mushrooms have tap roots. Digging around the mushroom with a spoon or a trowel will allow you to keep the base intact and see if a tap root is present.
Another way to identify mushrooms is by making spore prints. Spore prints are an important diagnostic tool used to identify mushrooms. They are made by placing the spore-producing surface flat on a sheet of dark and white paper or clear, stiff plastic, and allowing the spores to fall onto the surface underneath. The mushroom is left for several hours, often overnight. When the mushroom is removed, the colour of the spores should be visible. Spore prints are usually white to cream, black, or shades of red, purple, or brown. However, it is important to note that a spore print is not the only characteristic used in identifying a mushroom, and it cannot be used alone for identification.
In addition to spore prints, other characteristics to consider when identifying mushrooms include the type of tree the mushroom was found growing on, whether the tree was living or dead, and whether the mushroom is growing on grass, wood chips, soil, or roots. It is also important to consult reputable books on mycology and seek expert advice for identification, rather than relying solely on online images or apps. Joining a local mycological society can also be a great way to learn from experienced mushroom pickers and gain proper training and advice.
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What to do after: Cook your mushrooms and consider preserving them by drying
Once you've picked your mushrooms, it's time to cook them. There are many ways to cook mushrooms, but a popular method is to saute them in a skillet on the stove. To do this, heat some olive oil in a wide skillet over medium heat. Spread the mushrooms in a single layer in the pan and leave them until they start to brown (around 3 to 5 minutes). Then, stir them and spread them out again to brown on the other side. When they're golden brown, season with salt and pepper. You can also add butter, thyme, and lemon for extra flavor.
Another option is to thread your mushrooms onto a string and hang them near a radiator or in a sunny spot to dry. This method takes longer and can be laborious, but it's a great way to preserve the flavor and potency of your mushrooms.
If you want to dry your mushrooms, there are several methods you can use. One option is to use a food dehydrator, which is a convenient and easy way to dry a large number of mushrooms. Simply spread the mushrooms in the dehydrator so they're not touching, and set the timer and temperature according to the manufacturer's instructions.
You can also dry mushrooms in the oven. Place the mushrooms on a rack or tray so they're not touching, and set the oven temperature to 40-50°C. Leave the oven door slightly ajar to let the moisture escape, and cook for several hours, checking regularly, until they're completely dry.
Once your mushrooms are dry, it's important to store them properly to maintain their aroma and taste. Keep them in an airtight container made of sheet metal, wood, plastic, or glass, and store them in a cool, dark place.
Remember, even after they've been dried, poisonous mushrooms can still be harmful, so always make sure you know what you've picked before consuming them. If you're allergic to mushroom spores, be careful when handling dried mushrooms, as the spores can be dispersed in the air and cause a reaction.
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Frequently asked questions
You don't need much equipment to go mushroom picking, but there are a few key items you should take with you. These include a mushroom field guide for your region, a small trowel or hand weeder, a knife, a basket, a magnifying glass, a map, and bug repellent.
If you're planning on eating the mushrooms you pick, it's important to make sure they're safe. You can do this by joining a mycological society, going on a forage with an experienced picker, and consulting books and experts for advice. If in doubt, throw it out.
Chanterelles, Lion's Mane, oyster mushrooms, and pom-pom mushrooms are all edible and relatively common. Chanterelles can be found in slightly damp areas, often near hardwoods like maple, poplar, and oak. Lion's Mane fruits on dead or dying hardwood. Oyster mushrooms can be found growing out of trees, fallen logs, and stumps during rainy periods. Pom-pom mushrooms are bright white and fluffy-looking.
You can preserve mushrooms by sautéing and freezing, pickling, canning, or drying them. If you're planning on eating your mushrooms, make sure to cook them thoroughly first.
