Collecting mushrooms for beginners: easy to recognize mushrooms & important tips | Life & Knowledge

2023-09-15 15:14:57

Now collectors are heading back into the forests. Equipped with a small basket and knife in hand, we go looking for mushrooms.

Due to the weather of the last few weeks, they are sprouting like crazy. But there are a few things to keep in mind when collecting mushrooms.

In this article, read helpful tips for beginners and learn where and when to find mushrooms.

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The most important tips for beginners

If you are collecting mushrooms for the first time, have not done so very often, or have only ever been accompanied by experienced people, there are a few tips you should keep in mind.

What do I take with me when picking mushrooms? When collecting mushrooms you will need a knife, a basket and a mushroom identification book.

When is the best time to pick mushrooms? The autumn months of September and October are the main season for mushroom picking. Because mushrooms like it warm and humid, we recommend going into the forest after a rainy late summer day.

How are mushrooms collected? It is gentler on the fungal tissue if you twist out the mushrooms. In order to recognize important identifying characteristics (for example whether the stem is hollow), it makes sense to cut off the mushrooms.

Please also note further information:

Only collect mushrooms that you know. Under no circumstances should you collect white mushrooms – they are usually poisonous! Leave small mushrooms that are too old. They cannot be clearly determined. Only what is needed for one’s own needs may be collected per person per day (1-2 kilos). Mushrooms must be processed within 24 hours. The yield must be fried for at least 15-20 minutes. No more than 250 grams of wild mushrooms per week consume. They are often difficult to digest and are contaminated with heavy metals. Collecting mushrooms is prohibited in nature reserves, national parks and private property.

Be careful, risk of confusion: poisonous mushrooms!

Always a big problem: Some edible mushrooms look very similar to poisonous varieties. Almost every mushroom has an evil twin, and poisoning occurs regularly.

Familiarity with the poisonous mushroom species in your area is crucial. Study these mushrooms thoroughly to be able to confidently identify them and know what dangers they pose.

The Krempling should not be eaten

Foto: picture alliance / imageBROKER

Additionally, you should have a mushroom identification book with you during your mushroom hunt or use an app to identify mushrooms on site. Compare the characteristics of the mushroom you find with the reference images and descriptions.

If you are not sure whether a mushroom is edible, leave it alone. Seek the help of experienced mushroom experts or mycologists to ensure you are not collecting poisonous species.

If something does happen, you can call the poison hotline. On the Website of the German Society for Mycology eV You can find the state-specific telephone numbers for emergencies.

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Which mushrooms are easy to recognize?

There are some species of mushrooms that are relatively easy to recognize due to their striking appearance. Here are some examples of mushrooms that might be relatively easy for beginners to identify:

1. Chanterelles have a characteristic yellow color and a slightly wavy, funnel-shaped shape. They are very popular edible mushrooms.

Chanterelles are one of the most popular mushrooms

Photo: Silas Stein/dpa

Danger! Chanterelles also have a nasty doppelgänger: the “false chanterelle” is more orange, its lamellae are darker than the cap and the stem is hollow.

2. Porcini mushrooms have a thick, brown cap and stem with a scaly pattern. They are among the sought-after and tasty edible mushrooms.

The porcini mushroom is a popular mushroom to collect

Photo: Ole Spata/dpa

Danger! Porcini mushrooms also have a nasty doppelganger: the gall bolete. The underside of the umbrella turns greenish in the boletus, but pink in the boletus.

After collecting mushrooms

After you have successfully picked mushrooms, you should check for ticks. Then we start preparing the mushrooms.

How do I prepare mushrooms correctly? Dab clean mushrooms dry; if dirty, clean with a damp cloth. If necessary, brush carefully under running water and pat dry with kitchen paper.

Important: Do not put mushrooms in water, otherwise they will lose their taste and become slippery!

Can you eat mushrooms raw? Most mushrooms (with the exception of button mushrooms and oyster mushrooms) are inedible raw and must be heated for at least 15 minutes. It is best to braise in a pan with butter or olive oil, salt and pepper.

Attention: A toadstool is still poisonous even after heating; the poison does not decompose with heat!