Sarah Brown
There are several ways to harvest mushrooms, and the best method depends on the type of mushroom and your preferred harvesting technique. The two most common techniques are cutting and pulling. Cutting is often preferred when foraging for edible mushrooms, as it minimises disturbance and reduces cleaning time. However, pulling can be more advantageous for the fungus, as it saves energy and prevents infections. While some studies suggest that the method of harvesting does not significantly affect future yields, others suggest that pulling may result in larger yields. Ultimately, the decision to cut or pull mushrooms depends on individual preferences and the specific situation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Harvesting technique | Cutting or pulling |
| Factors determining the technique | Type of mushroom, environment, personal preference |
| Cutting | Reduces cleaning time, less damage to mycelium |
| Pulling | Saves energy, prevents infections |
| Cutting recommendations | Cut mature mushrooms, cut at the base/soil level, cover the stump |
| Pulling recommendations | Pluck mushrooms that are neither too mature nor immature, trim the butt end |
| Mushroom growth | Mushrooms are temporary reproductive structures, the mycelium is the main body |
| Environmental impact | Trampling of plants, compacting of earth, and erosion can harm the ecosystem |
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What You'll Learn
Cutting vs plucking
There are two schools of thought on the best way to harvest mushrooms: cutting and plucking. While some people advocate for cutting mushrooms off at the base, others argue for twisting and pulling them directly from the mycelium. The debate has sparked heated exchanges between the two schools, with each side claiming that their method is more ecologically sound. However, the truth is that it makes very little difference to the fungus either way.
Those who favour cutting believe it causes less damage to the mushroom mycelium. Cutting also reduces the time spent cleaning mushrooms since the base of a pulled mushroom can be dirty. When using a knife to harvest mushrooms, mycologists generally recommend cutting the stem as close to the base as possible. This technique is particularly useful for mushrooms that grow in small clumps with stems joined at the base, like chanterelles, allowing foragers to cut off individual mushrooms while leaving the base and any smaller mushrooms to continue growing. It is also recommended for mushrooms like shiitake and reishi, which can be difficult to harvest without bruising or breaking other mushrooms in the cluster. Additionally, cutting shiitake mushrooms helps prevent pieces of substrate or other debris from getting into their gills after harvest, reducing the risk of contamination or damage to the mycelium that could impact future flushes.
On the other hand, advocates for plucking mushrooms argue that it saves energy. Pulling out the entire mushroom signals to the fungus that it is gone, allowing it to divert its energy into producing more mushrooms. Some species, such as chanterelles, happily and cleanly detach from their mycelium. After plucking, you only need to snip off the dirty bit of the base and give them a quick brush before cooking. Plucking is also recommended for certain varieties of mushrooms, including button, cremini, oyster, chestnut, pioppino, and lion's mane mushrooms, which can be gently twisted and pulled off at the base.
While the debate between cutting and plucking mushrooms has raged for years, studies have shown that it does not significantly affect the fungus' ability to produce mushrooms in the future. A 35-year study from Germany concluded that it is irrelevant whether you cut or pull out the mushroom or compact the soil by walking on it. What truly matters to the fungi is the influence of the weather and environment. Additionally, it is important to note that overharvesting is not a significant concern with mushrooms. Unlike plants, mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of a much larger organism that lives underground, and even if you picked every mushroom in a forest, you would undoubtedly miss some that contain billions of spores.
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Preventing infection
There are several ways to prevent infection when harvesting mushrooms. Firstly, it is important to sanitise your hands, counters, and equipment before handling mushrooms. Clean the mushrooms using a damp kitchen towel to remove any dirt or grit, rather than washing them, as this can cause discolouration.
When it comes to the cutting versus pulling debate, some sources argue that cutting can leave an exposed piece of stem that could become a site for bacterial or fungal infection. Therefore, the pulling technique may be preferable to prevent infections. However, other sources suggest that cutting close to the base can help prevent contamination or damage to the mycelium, which could impact future growth.
Additionally, it is important to be gentle when harvesting mushrooms, as they bruise easily. Proper storage is also key to preventing infection and prolonging the shelf life of mushrooms. Store whole, unwashed mushrooms in a paper bag in the refrigerator, avoiding the moist environment of a crisper drawer.
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Twisting and pulling
There are two schools of thought on the best way to harvest mushrooms: cutting or twisting and pulling. While some sources claim that it doesn't matter which method you use, others argue that one method is superior to the other.
Some people prefer twisting and pulling because they believe it saves energy. By pulling out the entire mushroom, the fungus is signalled that the mushroom is gone, and it can divert its energy into producing more mushrooms.
However, others argue that cutting is a better method, as it causes less damage to the mushroom mycelium and reduces the time spent cleaning. When using a knife to harvest mushrooms, it is recommended to cut the stem as close to the base as possible.
Ultimately, the best method for harvesting mushrooms may depend on the type of mushroom and personal preference. While twisting and pulling can be a simple and effective method for certain varieties, cutting may be preferred for others to minimise damage and contamination.
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Mushrooms that grow on trees
Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of a much larger organism that lives underground and throughout plants and trees. They perform a crucial job, breaking down debris, nurturing trees, and building soils.
When harvesting mushrooms, there are two techniques: cutting and pulling. The best technique depends on the type of mushroom being harvested. For mushrooms that grow on trees, such as shiitake and reishi, it is recommended to cut them with a sharp knife or scissors. Pulling them off could damage the tree, which may shorten the lifespan of the mushroom by killing the tree earlier or weakening its defence system, making it susceptible to infections. Cutting these mushrooms helps to prevent pieces of substrate or other debris from getting into their gills after harvest and avoids potential contamination or damage to the mycelium.
For mushrooms that grow in small clumps with stems joined at the base, like chanterelles, you can cut them off individually at the bottom of their stems, leaving the base and any smaller mushrooms to grow. However, with some species, like chestnut, oyster, and pioppino, the mushrooms are tightly packed in the cluster, and it is best to cut the entire cluster off at the base. It is often impossible to harvest individual mushrooms from tight clusters without bruising or breaking other mushrooms.
While some sources claim that cutting is better, others argue that pulling has its benefits. Studies have shown that it makes little difference to future mushroom production, and the large majority of the time, pulled and cut patches performed the same year after year. Pulling out the entire mushroom signals to the fungus that it is gone, so it can divert any energy to produce more mushrooms. However, cutting reduces the time spent cleaning your mushrooms as you avoid the dirt and debris that is often attached to the base of a pulled mushroom stem.
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Sustainability
Mushroom harvesting is a popular pastime in many countries, and it can be an ecologically friendly way to spend time in nature. However, it is important to adopt sustainable practices to protect the local ecosystem and maintain ecological balance.
One key principle of sustainable mushroom harvesting is to avoid damaging or killing native plant species. This involves learning to identify both native and invasive plant species, allowing you to locate specific mushroom types and avoid harming endangered or threatened species. It is also important to respect local regulations and designated areas for mushroom harvesting, as rules can vary widely by location.
When it comes to cutting versus plucking mushrooms, opinions differ. Some sources recommend plucking most mushrooms and then trimming off and discarding the dirty end. This method avoids damaging the mycelium, the network-like organism that connects mushrooms to their environment. Cutting mushrooms at their base with a knife, on the other hand, can reduce damage to the mycelium and minimise disturbance to the surrounding area. A long-term study in Switzerland found that neither picking nor cutting methods reduced future yields of fruit bodies or species richness, but that forest floor trampling did reduce fruit body numbers. To minimise soil compaction, it is recommended to stick to established trails and paths, and to carry mushrooms in baskets or mesh bags that allow spores to fall through and reproduce.
To ensure sustainability, it is important to only harvest mushrooms that are in good shape and to leave behind a significant proportion for other pickers. Additionally, only ingest mushrooms that have been positively identified as edible, and clean and prepare them properly before consumption.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to harvest mushrooms, and the best method depends on the type of mushroom you’re growing and your preferred harvesting technique. The two most common methods are cutting and pulling.
Cutting mushrooms is often preferred when foraging for edible mushrooms as it minimises disturbance and reduces cleaning time. It also leaves part of the mushroom behind for wildlife to eat.
Pulling mushrooms can save energy as it signals to the fungus that the mushroom is gone, so it can divert its energy to produce more mushrooms. It also prevents infections as there is no exposed piece of stem left behind.
Mushrooms that grow on trees, such as shiitake and reishi, should be pulled rather than cut to avoid damaging the tree.
Mushrooms that grow in small clumps with stems joined at the base, such as chanterelles and oysters, can be cut off individually.
