Hunting for Mushrooms
What mushrooms can you eat?
It’s fair to say, as a nation, we’ve historically feared fungi rather than seen them as food. And for good reason - there are many incidents of mushroom poisoning each year. But the popularity of fungal forays continues to rise. And if you know what you’re looking for, you’ll be richly rewarded. But please remember that fungi are also an important part of the woodland ecosystem so don't overdo it!
Below is a guide for foraging mushrooms in the UK and help keep you safe. Keep in mind that you should only eat a wild food if you are 100% sure what it is.
- 🍂 AUTUMN
- ❄️ WINTER
- 🌿 SPRING
- ☀️ SUMMER
- 🍴 EDIBLE
- ⚠️ POISONOUS
Horse Mushroom
Agaricus arvensis
🍂🌿☀️🍴
A great mushroom with a rich, strong taste and as it can grow so large and in rings, usually provides quite a feast.
The Prince
Agaricus augustus
🍂☀️🍴
Can accumulate cadmium so best picked from the wild away from urban spaces and busy roads.
Pavement Mushroom
Agaricus bitorquis
🍂🌿☀️🍴
This fungi can grow through dry, compacted soil or even asphalt and seems to prefer growing beside paths and roads hence its common name.
Inky Mushroom
Agaricus morelleri
🍂☀️⚠️
A fairly common mushroom that can often be found in large numbers. When first spotted it usually causes a bit of excitement as it can resemble the Prince, then when smelt, disappointment sets in.
Wild mushroom picking tips:
- Don't collect too much. Other species eat mushrooms too and they play an important ecological role.
- Know what you're picking - edible mushrooms can be confused with poisonous ones.
- Mushroom identification takes skill and practice - get a great ID book specifically for fungi.
- Choose species that aren’t easy to mix up with poisonous fungi
- Check whether any special cooking or handling is required
- Don’t rely on common names – sometimes the same common name can refer to many different species.
Can’t tell the difference between the deadly and the delectable? Mushroom identification is a challenge, so it's better to stick to the supermarket if you’re not sure.