6-year-old Julia Wingren from Strängnäs made an extraordinary discovery while mushroom hunting with her father. They stumbled upon a massive chanterelle hidden under a couple of oak leaves.
Julia expressed her astonishment, stating, “It was the biggest mushroom I’ve ever seen.” Alongside her 46-year-old father, Jens, Julia was foraging for summer chanterelles in the woods outside Stjärnhov in Sörmland. At first, Julia mistook the giant chanterelle for a new nest. However, upon closer inspection, they realized it was an unusually large mushroom.
Julia and her father took the mushroom home to show her grandfather. Even he was amazed by its size, proving that it was indeed exceptional. Jens mentioned that her grandfather had picked mushrooms in the area before and confirmed that it was the largest he had ever seen.
The mushroom measured an incredible 17 centimeters in diameter. Intrigued by its size, Julia and her father decided to research how big chanterelles could grow. They also weighed the mushroom, and it came to a staggering 246 grams, nearly a quarter of a kilogram.
As for what they plan to do with the mushroom, Julia stated, “We will save it.” However, her father suggested eating it. They eventually decided to enjoy the mushroom on a sandwich. With a little butter underneath, it will surely make a delicious meal.
Moreover, Jens mentioned that there has been an abundance of chanterelles in the forest due to the rainy summer. He considered it a positive outcome and added, “So the hunt continues.” They plan to savor their discovery and continue their mushroom foraging adventures.
The remarkable find made by 6-year-old Julia has captivated the local community. The photos of Julia posing with the enormous chanterelle serve as a testament to her exciting discovery and her passion for mushroom hunting.