Laura Smith
Mushroom picking, also known as mushroom hunting, mushrooming, or mushroom foraging, is the act of gathering mushrooms in the wild. While some people may use the term 'mushroom picker' as a slur for gypsies, the term generally refers to those who enjoy picking mushrooms for culinary, medicinal, or psychotropic purposes. Mushroom hunting is a popular activity in many parts of the world, including Eurasia, Australia, and temperate regions of North America. In some places, such as Southern Lithuania, it is even considered a national sport. Mushroom pickers must be able to distinguish between the many different types of mushrooms, as some are poisonous, while others are safe and edible.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Slang term | Anyone who lives in rural areas |
| Slang term | People who pick mushrooms to get high |
| People who pick mushrooms | Mushroom pickers |
| People who hunt mushrooms | Mushroom hunters |
| People who love mushrooms | Mycophiles |
| People who eat mushrooms | Mycophagists |
| Scientific terms for people who eat mushrooms | Mycophiliophagists or mycogastronomes |
| Mushroom picking activity | Mushroom hunting, mushrooming, mushroom foraging |
| Mushroom picking purpose | Culinary, medicinal, psychotropic |
| Mushroom picking popularity | Europe, Asia, Australia, Canada, US |
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What You'll Learn
Slang for gypsies
The word "gypsy" is a racial slur that refers to a person of Romani heritage. The Romani people are an ethnic race with origins in India, and they are often persecuted and discriminated against due to prejudice and derogatory stereotypes. The term "pikey" or "piky" is another derogatory slang word for Romani people and other travelling groups with no fixed abode. The word is considered highly offensive and is used as an insult against marginalized working-class communities. Young people may use "pikey" to describe a contemporary style of dress or demeanour associated with an aimless "street" lifestyle, often without knowledge of its Romani origin. "Gorger", derived from the Romani words "gorgio" or "gadjo", is a slang term used by Romani people to refer to non-Romani individuals.
Several other words in the English language are commonly used and derived from the Romani language, including chav, which describes a lower-class youth, often dressed in sportswear, and wonga, which means coal or money. Lollipop comes from the Romani word "loli phabai", which means red apple, and bar comes from the Romani word for "stone", which also means a pound coin or note. The term "gibberish", used to describe nonsensical talk, is believed to originate from the Romani word "jib", meaning tongue or language. "Mullered", a British expression for being drunk, comes from the Romani word "muller", which means dead or killed.
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People who hunt mushrooms
Mushroom hunting, mushrooming, mushroom picking, and mushroom foraging are all terms used to describe the activity of gathering mushrooms in the wild. People who engage in this activity are often referred to as mushroom pickers or mushroom hunters. In some regions, such as Southern Lithuania, mushroom hunting is considered a "national sport," with festivals and championships dedicated to the activity.
Mushroom picking is a popular activity in many parts of the world, including Eurasia, Australia, and temperate regions of North America. In Slavic and Baltic countries, it is a common family activity, and in Japan, certain types of mushrooms, such as the Matsutake mushroom, are highly prized. In the United States, mushroom picking is particularly popular in the Appalachian region, the West Coast, and many other areas.
The practice of mushroom picking is often done for culinary purposes, as mushrooms are used in various dishes, such as omelettes or fried butter. However, mushrooms are also sought after for their medicinal and psychotropic properties. It is important to distinguish between safe, edible mushrooms and poisonous or inedible species, and expert analysis is often required for correct identification.
Those who study fungi are referred to as mycologists, while those who love and consume fungi are called mycophiles and mycophagists, respectively. Additionally, some people may engage in mushroom picking to seek out hallucinogenic mushrooms, such as Psilocybe semilanceata and Amanita muscaria, which have been used for their psychotropic effects by rural gypsies in the past.
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Mycophagists, mycophiliophagists, or mycogastronomes
Mushroom hunting, mushrooming, mushroom picking, and mushroom foraging all refer to the act of gathering mushrooms in the wild. While there doesn't seem to be a specific word for people who pick mushrooms, they are generally referred to as mushroom pickers. Mushroom picking is typically done for culinary purposes, although mushrooms are also used medicinally and psychotropically. The practice is popular in most parts of Eurasia, Australia, and temperate regions of North America. In Slavic and Baltic countries, mushroom picking is a common family activity. In Southern Lithuania, it is considered a "national sport", with the region hosting an annual Mushroom Festival that includes a mushroom hunting championship.
People who enjoy hunting wild mushrooms are known as mycophiles. Mycophiles are devoted to mushrooms, especially those that are edible. They are often invaluable assets to those who are new to mushroom hunting, as they can help distinguish between the many mushrooms that are hard to tell apart by sight alone.
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Mushroom pickers in popular culture
Mushroom picking, or foraging, is the activity of gathering mushrooms in the wild, typically for culinary purposes, although they can also be used medicinally or psychotropically. It is a popular activity in many parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, Australia, Canada, and the United States.
Mushroom picking has made its way into various aspects of popular culture, from films and literature to art and cuisine. Here are some examples:
Film and Literature:
The 2011 film "Pig" features a truffle hunter whose prized truffle-hunting pig is stolen. The film highlights the value and prestige associated with certain types of mushrooms and the lengths to which people will go to obtain them.
In the book "Sustainable Harvesting of Wild Foraged Goods for Niche Markets" by Penn State, the authors discuss the art of foraging for mushrooms and the specific types of forests and trees associated with different mushroom varieties. This scientific literature provides valuable insights into the world of mushroom picking.
Cuisine and Culinary Arts:
In many countries, mushroom picking is deeply embedded in the culinary culture. For example, in Slavic and Baltic countries, it is common for families to venture into the forests after heavy rain during mushroom season, collecting bucketfuls of mushrooms to cook and eat for dinner, often in omelets or fried in butter. This tradition showcases the importance of mushroom picking as a source of food and family bonding.
In Italy and France, certain types of mushrooms, such as truffles and chanterelles, are highly prized for their flavor and culinary applications. These mushrooms are sought after by chefs and food enthusiasts, contributing to the countries' renowned cuisine.
Art and Photography:
Mushroom picking has also inspired artistic expressions. For example, the practice of "leaving no picker's trail" encourages mushroom hunters to be mindful of their surroundings and avoid trampling potential mushrooms. This approach can result in aesthetically pleasing scenes with undisturbed mushrooms, attracting photographers and artists who appreciate the natural beauty of mushrooms in their habitat.
Additionally, some pickers may create artwork or decorations from the mushrooms they collect. Dried or preserved mushrooms can be used in crafts, and some artists may even incorporate mushroom spores or mycelium into their creations, blurring the lines between art and nature.
Mushroom picking, though often a hidden tradition known only to locals, has permeated various aspects of popular culture. From films and books to cuisine and art, the practice of foraging for mushrooms has left its mark on society, influencing and inspiring people worldwide.
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Mushroom picking safety
Mushroom picking, mushrooming, mushroom foraging, and similar terms describe the activity of gathering mushrooms in the wild. This is typically done for culinary purposes, although medicinal and psychotropic uses are also known. Mushroom hunting is popular throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, Canada, and the US.
- Do not consume any mushrooms unless you are 100% sure of what they are. Many edible mushrooms have toxic look-alikes. Learn what these look-alikes are and do not rely solely on photographs or drawings.
- Avoid mushrooms with white gills, a skirt or ring on the stem, and a bulbous or sack-like base called a volva.
- Avoid mushrooms with red on the cap or stem.
- Be aware of where you are collecting your edibles. Mushrooms can readily pick up chemicals from the environment. For example, nuclear fallout from the Chernobyl disaster is an important issue concerning mushroom picking in Europe. Due to the wide spread of their mycelium, mushrooms tend to accumulate more radioactive caesium-137 than the surrounding soil and other organisms.
- Wait until you are sure you are not allergic to a particular species before having it with wine or beer. When consuming a new mushroom species, the presence of alcohol may produce stronger allergic reactions. Also, one species of the genus Coprinus reacts with alcohol, resulting in uncomfortable symptoms.
- Unless you have a severe allergy to mushrooms, simply touching or smelling them will not harm you, even the most poisonous ones.
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Frequently asked questions
A mushroom picker is someone who enjoys hunting for mushrooms in the wild. This activity is often done for culinary purposes, but also for medicinal and psychotropic uses.
Mushroom picking is popular in most of Europe, Asia, Australia, and temperate regions of North America. In Slavic and Baltic countries, mushroom picking is a common family activity. In Southern Lithuania, it is considered a "national sport".
Some other names for mushroom pickers include mycophagists, mycophiliophagists, mycogastronomes, and mycophiles.
Mushroom identification requires expert analysis to distinguish between useful and poisonous species. Field guides and techniques such as spore printing can help with identification. Microscopy is sometimes needed to eliminate lookalikes.
