How to Pick Mushrooms
Mushroom hunting has become popular over the years. Because of its many uses, people have grown fond of picking mushrooms. Before you take that trip to the woods and start your mushroom hunt, here are some important things you have to know.
Steps:
Identify the mushrooms. It’s very important that you know the different classifications of mushrooms to avoid getting those poisonous ones.
Choose a location. Different varieties of mushrooms thrive in different environments. Here are some of the most common areas where mushrooms grow:
Under a tree
Moist land
Grassy areas
Collect mushrooms. To lift a mushroom completely, grab it at the end of its stem. Twist as you pull it off the ground.
Clean the mushrooms by gently removing loose dirt with your hands. you may also use a soft brush to clean the mushrooms.
Most Commonly Picked Mushrooms
You may be surprised to know that there are numerous types of mushrooms. Some of them are hard to identify because they all look the same.
Button Mushroom is also known as Agaricus bisporus.
Boletaceae is very easy to identify. It’s known for its very good taste that most mushroom hunters collect this type of mushrooms.
Leccinum aurantiacum can easily be found under or near aspen trees.
Leccinum scabrum, is a type of mushroom that thrive under a birch tree.
Morchella esculenta is a very popular type of mushroom in Western Europe and North America. It’s also called as the morel.
The oyster mushroom, also referred to as pleurotus ostreatus, is usually cultivated and sold in grocery stores.
Mushroom Poisoning
The most common reason for mushroom poisoning is not properly identfying the mushrooms you collect. It’s very important that you know the difference between an edible and non-edible mushroom.
The symptoms of mushroom poisoning depends on the type of mushrooms you consumed. The most common symptoms are diarrhea and vomiting.
Mushroom poisoning may also result to liver and kidney problems.
Magic Mushrooms
Psilocybin mushrooms are commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms. They contain substances that can cause psyhologic disturbances like the following.
Hallucinations
Fear
Confusion
Agitation
Euphoria
Schizophrenic symptoms
Safety Tips:
Collect only those mushrooms that you’re familiar with.
Only eat mushrooms that you’ve identified as edible. If you’re not sure of the type of mushrooms you gathered, don’t eat them until you’ve identified it correctly.
Know the different types of poisonous mushrooms so that you can easily spot them when you go mushroom hunting.
Mushroom hunting can be a fun activity. Be sure that you know the different mushroom classifications before you start hunting. It’s also a good idea to bring along somebody who’s had enough knowledge and practice in picking mushrooms.