Wild Mushrooms

[rowantk]

Hi, over the past few months Ive been interested in wild foods. Due to the seasons mushrooms have become more common. I unbderstand the risks involved and anything I decide to pick/cook I like to be 100% sure on what it is.
Recently my girlfriend showed me a book she was reading. Whioch had a small (about a page) write up about mushrooms. The guy who wrote the book suggests never to eat muchrooms and even edible ones are toxic and posion? He mentions how they contain MYCOTOXIN AMANITIN and that mushrooms are basically acid when ingested. Supposingly tests with lab mice have produced illnesses. The book was by Robert O Young PHD.

Has anyone else heard of these risks? As I never have.

Thanks!

[dreamykipper]

Hi,

I like to hunt and collect wild mushrooms in England. It is good fun to hunt for something from nature, spend time in great forests, and see wildlife.

I have heard that mushrooms do contain these Mycotoxin's (and others) especially the really BAD ones like Death Cap, Fly Agaric, Destroying Angel, Brown Roll Rim, Panther Cap etc...

Also even some edible mushrooms can cause stomach upsets, depending on the individual. I know people in Poland and Russia eat some mushrooms that are classed as non-edible/dubious in England, without any problems. Maybe they have an immunity or have built up a tolerance, or perhaps their cooking method is different. My Russian relatives will often boil their mushrooms prior to cooking. Some peoples reactions are different to others as well.

Most of the books I read suggest to only eat a little of any wild mushroom, in case there is an intestinal/gastro reaction. Also some like the Shaggy Ink Cap, can create adverse reactions if consumed with alcohol.

Recollection also serves me that some mushrooms act like sponges in collecting other toxins occuring in the wild. You have to remember what musrooms essentially are. For example I would avoid anything near a road (car fumes) or in a agricultural field (pesticides etc.)

I guess it just depends what you feel comfortable with. Personally I love mushrooms, especially fried in a little butter. And if it is a gift from nature it always tastes better!

Sorry I can not be of more help

All the best

[clachan]

Last week i went out into the woods and picked some champignon courmeil,large beige couloured mushrooms.
Made cream of mushroom soup with them.....wonderfull !

1Ib mushrooms
quater cup of butter
spring onions....as per taste,I put loads in.
3 cloves garlic
chopped,fresh thyme
2 tablespoons flour
4 cups veg stock
1 cup thick cream
salt and pepper to taste.

serve with crusty bread.

[mystic nomad]

Hi, over the past few months Ive been interested in wild foods. Due to the seasons mushrooms have become more common. I unbderstand the risks involved and anything I decide to pick/cook I like to be 100% sure on what it is.
Recently my girlfriend showed me a book she was reading. Whioch had a small (about a page) write up about mushrooms. The guy who wrote the book suggests never to eat muchrooms and even edible ones are toxic and posion? He mentions how they contain MYCOTOXIN AMANITIN and that mushrooms are basically acid when ingested. Supposingly tests with lab mice have produced illnesses. The book was by Robert O Young PHD.

Has anyone else heard of these risks? As I never have.

Thanks!


If you're only talking about "Amanitin" then that is only going to be found in members of the "Amanita" genus.

Amanitas such as Death Cap, Fly Agaric, Destroying Angel, Fools Cap etc, etc, can be pretty deadly stuff but relatively easy to ID positively.

I don't know whether Amanatin is found in all the Agarics, probably does to some degree Always a good idea to gently cut them out of the ground with a knife so you can get a good look at the features around the base, also handy to know your trees.

I love mushrooms, always have, I eat loads of them,

But,

I'm not entirely sure anymore whether we really should be eating them. I definitely think preparation is key in a lot of cases.

Happy hunting.