In the fall, a walk in the woods is more than just relaxation. You can also discover delicious and nutritious treasures of nature. We’re talking about local edible mushrooms, which are still underestimated as a source of nutrients and are also very aromatic. Here you will find our top 5 local mushrooms and a few tips for foraging.
Poisonous or edible mushrooms? Caution is advised when picking mushrooms
As a general rule, you should be very careful when looking for mushrooms. Many edible mushrooms have poisonous doppelgangers that are difficult to distinguish. Therefore:
- Only collect mushrooms that you can recognize without a doubt!
- Use a good mushroom identification book or an app with pictures and distinguishing features!
- In many places you can have collected mushrooms checked by experts. Take advantage of such offers!
- The best way to learn how to identify mushrooms is on mushroom walks with professionals. Look around for such events in your area!
Pick mushrooms: Our top 5 local mushroom species
If you want to use edible mushrooms yourself, you should definitely know these 5 species:
1. porcini mushroom (Boletus edulis)
The porcini mushroom is considered the king of local mushrooms. It has firm flesh, tastes nutty and aromatic and can reach considerable sizes. Porcini mushrooms are suitable for frying, cooking, drying and pickling.
The nutrients in porcini mushrooms are also impressive: They are rich in protein and contain B vitamins, potassium, phosphorus and iron.
Porcini mushrooms have a brown cap and a whitish or yellowish tubular sponge. The stem is often bulbous and has a fine net pattern. The porcini mushroom grows from the end of June to October in deciduous and coniferous forests.
But be careful: it can easily be confused with the bitter gall fungus.
2nd chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius)
Almost everyone knows about chanterelles, but many people don’t know that you can also find them in the forest. The small, yolk-yellow mushroom prefers to grow in sparse forests, often under moss cushions. Chanterelles contain a lot of protein as well as B vitamins, iron and vitamin D.
The small golden mushrooms are much sought after in the kitchen: they taste aromatic and have firm flesh.
But be careful: chanterelles have inedible doppelgangers, for example the false chanterelle. Genuine chanterelles do not have true lamellae, but so-called strips that merge into the stalk.
3. parasol (Macrolepiota procera)
The parasol is also called the giant umbrella mushroom for good reason: It can reach a cap diameter of up to 30 centimetres. It prefers to grow on the edges of forests, in clearings and meadows and is a real culinary insider tip: for example, you can bread it whole and fry it in a pan as a vegetarian schnitzel alternative.
Parasol contains proteins, fiber and some magnesium and potassium.
Caution: Young specimens in particular can easily be mistaken for poisonous lookalikes.
4. chestnut boletus (Imleria badia)
The chestnut mushroom can be recognized by its brown, slightly shiny cap and yellowish tubes, which turn bluish when pressed. It grows mainly in coniferous forests on acidic soils.
Chestnuts contain protein, fiber, B vitamins and potassium. They are therefore not only delicious, but also nutritious.
In the kitchen, these delicious edible mushrooms have a firm consistency and a mild, nutty aroma.
5. crested tintling (Coprinus comatus)
Crested minnows have a very unusual appearance: Their white cap melts at the edge to form a kind of black ink. In this state, the mushrooms are no longer edible, but very young specimens are ideal for mushroom pans and soups.
Young crested smelt have a mild taste and are full of nutrients. They contain protein, potassium, magnesium and folic acid.
Important to know: Cupped potatoes decompose quickly and then become inedible. You should therefore process them as soon as possible.
Even more nutrients for you
Domestic edible mushrooms contain a lot of nutrients and are an enrichment for your balanced diet. If you want to consciously support your diet with additional nutrients, SILICIUM PRIME is an easy option for you. It contains capsules with magnesium and calcium on the one hand and precious drops with vitamin D and vitamin K on the other.
