Laura Smith
Mushroom hunting is a popular pastime in Russia, with the country being home to some of the best mushrooms in the world. Russians are obsessed with picking mushrooms, sometimes even more than eating them. This obsession can be attributed to several factors, including the nutritional value of mushrooms, their taste, and the fact that they can be preserved for winter through drying, marinating, or salting. In addition, mushroom hunting is seen as a form of meditation, providing an opportunity to immerse oneself in nature and disconnect from the craziness of the world. Russians have also mastered the skill of distinguishing between edible and poisonous mushrooms, which has been passed down through generations.
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What You'll Learn
- Russians love mushroom hunting, or 'silent hunting', a popular pastime and almost a national sport
- There are hundreds of edible mushroom species in Russian forests, and they are nutritious and tasty
- Mushroom hunting is a form of meditation, a way to immerse oneself in nature and get away from the world
- Russians are masters of mushroom picking, a skill passed down through generations
- Mushrooms are versatile and can be boiled, fried, pickled, dried, marinated, or salted
Russians love mushroom hunting, or 'silent hunting', a popular pastime and almost a national sport
Mushroom hunting, or "silent hunting", is a popular pastime in Russia and almost a national sport. Russians are obsessed with picking mushrooms, with many regarding it as a form of meditation and a way to immerse themselves in nature. It is a tradition that dates back centuries, with forest mushrooms having long been a staple of the Russian diet.
There are hundreds of edible mushroom species in Russian forests, and mushrooms are nutritious, tasty, and can be preserved for winter through drying, marinating, or salting. During Lent, mushrooms replace meat in traditional dishes, and at other times, they are a delicious addition to any meal.
Mushroom hunting is a skill that Russians often master from childhood, and it remains a favourite activity even when there is no longer a need for sustenance. The urge to hunt for mushrooms is so strong that it is likely rooted in the genetics of Russians. The activity is akin to a scavenger hunt, requiring alertness to spot mushrooms covered by leaves, grass, or hiding in shady places.
Russians take great pride in their mushroom hunting abilities, with some even considering it a national characteristic. They have a vast array of unique mushroom varieties to choose from, including the morel, the first mushroom of spring, which is very common in Russia's central belt. The common puffball, which grows in the first few hours after rain, is another popular variety. Russians also enjoy the "reindeer horns" mushroom, which is considered one of the most delicious mushrooms globally.
While mushroom hunting is a beloved pastime for Russians, it can also be dangerous. Many Russians are surprisingly bad at distinguishing edible fungi from poisonous ones. As a result, it is recommended to bring an experienced mushroomer, known as a gribnik, when hunting mushrooms to ensure safety.
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There are hundreds of edible mushroom species in Russian forests, and they are nutritious and tasty
Mushroom hunting is a popular pastime in Russia, with hundreds of edible mushroom species in its forests. Russians are obsessed with picking mushrooms, sometimes called "silent hunting", and it is a skill that many Russians master from childhood. The activity is akin to a scavenger hunt, and one has to be alert to spot mushrooms in the forest as they are often covered with leaves, grass, or hidden in shady places.
Mushroom hunting is a favourite summer activity for Russians, with many heading into the woods to find the elusive prize. The activity is so popular that even Russian monuments are said to look like they are searching for mushrooms! The novelist Gary Shteyngart summed up the Russian obsession with mushroom hunting, saying, "Other than getting drunk and punching each other, mushroom hunting is what we Russians love most".
The variety of mushrooms found in Russia is another reason for their popularity. According to Nicolas Courtois, the executive chef at the Ritz-Carlton, Moscow, "Here you find everything and in quantity". During the mushroom hunting season, which runs from September to mid-October, he serves a mushroom-centric menu. Russians enjoy the opportunity to cook different kinds of mushrooms in a wide variety of ways, including boiling, frying, or pickling.
The nutritional value and taste of mushrooms also contribute to their popularity in Russia. Mushrooms are nutritious and can be preserved for winter by drying, marinating, or salting. During lent, mushrooms replace meat in traditional dishes, and at other times, they are a tasty addition to any meal. Some of the popular mushrooms in Russia include the morel, common puffball, parasol, reindeer antlers, chanterelle, and white mushroom.
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Mushroom hunting is a form of meditation, a way to immerse oneself in nature and get away from the world
Mushroom hunting is a popular pastime in Russia, with the activity often being referred to as a "national sport". Russians are obsessed with picking mushrooms, and it is a skill that many Russians master from childhood. The activity is so popular that it is considered normal, with one Moscow-based translator and guide, Julia Schelkunova, stating, "If you are normal, you search for mushrooms".
Mushroom hunting is a form of meditation for many Russians, providing an opportunity to immerse oneself in nature and get away from the world. It is a way to calm down and escape the craziness of everyday life. Mushroom hunters roam the forests without rushing, appreciating the natural environment around them.
The activity is often a social one, with friends and family coming together to search for the fungi. It is a competition to see who can find the best mushrooms, and there is a sense of excitement and happiness when a mushroom is found, especially when it is a large one. The urge to hunt for mushrooms is likely rooted in the history of Russia, where, for many centuries, people depended on forest mushrooms as a source of food. Although this necessity no longer exists, the tradition of mushroom hunting remains an integral part of Russian culture.
Mushroom hunting requires a great deal of patience and alertness, as mushrooms can be elusive and well-hidden in the forest. They often blend in with their surroundings, covered by leaves or grass, or hidden in shady places. This makes the activity a challenging and engaging form of meditation, requiring hunters to be fully present and attentive to their surroundings.
In addition to the meditative benefits, mushroom hunting also provides a sense of connection to nature and the land. The activity of searching for and collecting mushrooms fosters a sense of appreciation for the natural world and an understanding of the ecosystem. It is a way to connect with the earth and develop a deeper relationship with the environment.
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Russians are masters of mushroom picking, a skill passed down through generations
Mushroom picking is a beloved pastime in Russia, with the activity often being referred to as "silent hunting" or "mushroom sport". Russians are masters of mushroom picking, a skill passed down through generations. Many Russians grow up learning how to identify and collect mushrooms in the forest, with some even using a mushroom guidebook to help them. This knowledge of mushrooms is so ingrained in Russian culture that it is said to be on a genetic level.
The variety of mushrooms in Russian forests is vast, with hundreds of edible species to choose from. Some of the most popular mushrooms for picking include chanterelles, white mushrooms, morels, common puffballs, parasols, and the uniquely named "reindeer antlers". Mushroom picking has been a necessity for Russians for many centuries, providing vital nutrition during times of hunger and crises. Even today, when picking mushrooms is no longer a matter of survival, it remains a favourite activity for millions of Russians.
The skill of mushroom picking is often passed down from parents to children, with kids being sent out to search for the best mushrooms while their parents were busy. This competitive aspect of mushroom picking adds to the excitement and keeps the tradition alive. Picking mushrooms is also a social activity, with people coming together to hunt for mushrooms and then cooking and eating them together.
Knowing how to identify edible mushrooms is a crucial part of the Russian tradition of mushroom picking. While Russians are masters of this skill, there is still a risk of mistaking poisonous mushrooms for edible ones. It is recommended to go mushroom hunting with an experienced mushroomer or a guide who can easily tell the difference between delicious and dangerous fungi.
The way Russians cook their mushrooms is also unique, often involving boiling, frying, or pickling. While some Western chefs may disagree with these methods, arguing that high-quality mushrooms are best served raw or slightly roasted, Russians have developed their own special recipes over the years. Russian cuisine boasts a wide variety of mushroom dishes, including fern flower salad, fried puffballs, and boiled "reindeer antlers" with mashed potatoes.
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Mushrooms are versatile and can be boiled, fried, pickled, dried, marinated, or salted
Mushroom hunting is a popular pastime in Russia, with the country boasting some of the best mushrooms in the world. Russians are obsessed with picking mushrooms, with the activity even being referred to as a "national sport". The love for mushrooms in Russia can be attributed to several reasons. Firstly, there is an abundance of edible mushroom species in Russian forests, providing a wide variety of options for hunters. Secondly, mushroom picking has been a part of the Russian diet and culture for centuries, with Russians being fed by forest mushrooms for many generations. This activity is often passed down from parents to children, with kids developing skills to identify and collect the best mushrooms.
Marinated mushrooms are another delicacy in Russia, with the morel being a prime example. To prepare a fern flower salad, marinated morels are crushed and mixed with boiled potatoes, young fern shoots, spring onions, and pine nuts, creating a unique and flavourful dish. Drying and salting are also common preservation methods for mushrooms, ensuring they last through the winter months. Russians take pride in their mushroom hunting and preparation skills, with each region boasting its own unique recipes and techniques.
In addition to their versatility in preparation, mushrooms are also valued for their nutritional benefits and ability to replace meat in traditional dishes during lent. While mushroom hunting may have originated as a necessity for survival, it has now evolved into a beloved hobby for many Russians. It provides a sense of connection to nature, calmness, and a sense of community among hunters. The thrill of the hunt and the satisfaction of finding a prized mushroom contribute to the enduring fascination with mushroom picking in Russia.
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Frequently asked questions
Russians have been hunting mushrooms for centuries, and they are some of the best in the world. There are hundreds of edible mushroom species in Russian forests, and they are nutritious, tasty, and can be preserved for winter.
Mushroom hunting is a skill that Russians master since childhood. They use mushroom guidebooks or go with experienced mushroomers who can tell delicious mushrooms from dangerous ones.
Russians hunt a variety of mushrooms, including the common puffball, morel, false morel, fly agaric, reindeer antlers, chanterelle, and white mushroom.
Russians often boil, fry, or pickle mushrooms. Some specific types of mushrooms have unique cooking methods. For example, to eat fly agaric without poisoning yourself, you need to wash, peel, and boil the mushrooms for 20 minutes.
In the past, Russians picked mushrooms out of necessity to survive the winter. Now, mushroom hunting is a popular pastime and a way to connect with nature.
