On the plate they are not for everyone – and yet mushrooms hold a special fascination for many people every year. Possibly also because chestnuts, porcini mushrooms, etc. cannot simply be picked from the tree or pulled out of the raised bed. They hide in the local forests and only dig their hats out of the ground when the weather suits them. And even then, mushroom pickers still need a keen eye and a bit of luck. In the fascinating forest ecosystem, mushrooms – or rather their fruits – are on the menu for many other residents. This makes it all the more important that we humans adhere to a few basic rules when going on a mushroom-picking adventure.
Read the following article to find out what rules these are and when missteps are punished with a fine.
Rule 1: The first and foremost rule of mushroom picking is: If the collector doesn’t know, he doesn’t touch it. The same applies to specimens that cannot be clearly identified as edible mushrooms using the identification book. A book like this is a must on every trip to the mushrooms. Even experienced collectors prefer to look up mushroom guides – and, if in doubt, leave unknown hat objects to other forest dwellers. The risk of confusion and therefore the risk of poisoning is too great. The best thing about it: rabbits, deer and snails also eat mushrooms that are inedible or even poisonous to humans. They use enzymes to break down the toxic substances. Apparently these forest dwellers can also tolerate higher doses of the poison, which can be life-threatening to humans even in small amounts.
Note: Beginners should stay away from mushroom apps. “A collector who only allows himself to be guided by an app when making the determination is grossly negligent with his health,” is the conclusion of the German Society for Mycology (DGfM) after a comparative test.
Rule 2: Don’t overdo it! In the worst case scenario, this not only overwhelms your stomach, but also your wallet if you reach a certain basket size for certain mushrooms. What many people don’t know: All local mushrooms are protected, some of them even under strict nature protection. The Federal Species Protection Ordinance (BArtSchV) regulates how many mushrooms of each type can be collected for personal use. While there is a general ban on collecting some types of mushrooms, there are restrictions on collecting the popular porcini mushrooms or chanterelles. The following mushrooms may be collected in small quantities. According to the BArtSchV, the authorities in the region in question first decide what “small” actually means. The guideline is: one pound to a maximum of two kilos per day per collector.
And wild collecting in large quantities is no longer a trivial offense. Anyone who is caught by the police, the forestry department or other responsible authorities with baskets full of mushrooms must expect administrative offenses and a hefty fine.
Rule 3: Young, old and spoiled mushrooms are better left in the forest. In particular, old specimens that have been eaten by maggots or snails have no place in the basket. Even the nibbled slats contain important fungal spores that are blown away by the wind, germinate and take root elsewhere and ensure that the fungi that are so important for the ecosystem can be found further in the forest. Plus, fresh ones simply taste better. With young mushrooms that have just popped their heads out of the ground, the risk of confusing edible with poisonous species is very high. Those new to mushrooms in particular should leave their knife in their basket.
Rule 4: Cut instead of tear. If possible, do not pluck fruit bodies – especially species you know – from the forest floor with your hands. In the worst case scenario, they destroy the actual fungus (the mycelium), which spreads underground as a large network. So cut the found object cleanly as close to the ground as possible. This also makes it clear: In addition to a current identification book (e.g. “10 mushrooms: Finding and identifying the safest species”), a small, sharp knife is the most important tool for every mushroom collector.
Tip: Mushrooms that you cannot identify with certainty as edible mushrooms but would like to have identified by an expert should not be cut off with a knife, but should be carefully twisted out of the ground with the stem and transported separately. The stem can be crucial in determining.
Rule 5: Roughly clean every find on site while still in the forest and, if possible, transport it in an air-permeable container – for example a basket or a cotton bag. The items found should lie loosely and not be squeezed. The mushrooms sweat in plastic bags and decompose much more quickly.
If you still fancy a risotto with fresh mushrooms this year, you should hurry up. Depending on the weather, the chances of finding something in the woods and fields in October are not bad. If you stick to the most important rules, you will not only be doing something good for your taste buds, but also for the flora and fauna of your local forest.
Sources: “NABU”, “pilzepilze.de”; “Bavarian Mycological Society”; “jagdrecht.de”; “Mushroom Friends Saar-Palatinate”; “gesunde-pilze.de”; DGfM e.V.
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