There are
thousands of regularly harvested edible fungi in the world, in addition
to literally hundreds of thousands of other edible species. (Check the saftey
rules under mushroom hunting, however.)
Some species are highly priced because they cannot be cultivated and are often
harvested from natural settings. A few of the most commonly consumed fungi are:
- The Morel:
Morels belong to the ascomycete grouping of fungi. They are usually found in open
scrub, woodland or open ground in late spring. When collecting this fungus, care
must be taken to distinguish it from the poisonous False Morel,
Gyromitra esculenta.
- The
Chanterelle: The Yellow chanterelle is
one of the best and most easily recognizable mushrooms, and can be found in Asia,
Europe, North America and Australia. Caution must be used, as there are several
types of very poisonous (although not usually lethal) lookalikes.
- The Truffle: Tuber magnatum (Piemont white truffle),
Tuber aestivum (Summer or St.Jean truffle), Tuber melanosporum (Perigord
truffle), Tuber brumale. Truffles belong to the ascomycete grouping of
fungi. The truffle fruitbodies develop underground in mycorrhizal association with
certain trees e.g. oak, poplar, beech, and hazel. Being difficult to find,
trained pigs or dogs
are often used to sniff them out for harvesting.
- The
Porcini: Boletus edulis, also known as
the King Bolete, Cep, and Steinpilz, is renowned for its nutty flavor.
It is sought after worldwide, and can be found in a variety of culinary dishes.
- Sulphur shelf: Laetiporous
sulphureous. Also known by names such as the "chicken mushroom", "chicken
fungus", sulphur shelf is a distinct bracket fungus popular
among mushroom hunters.
- Agaricus
bisporus : also known as the white mushroom, the most
extensively cultivated mushroom in the world, accounting
for 38% of the world production of cultivated mushrooms.
- Pleurotus species :
The oyster mushroom. Pleurotus
mushrooms are the second most important mushrooms in production in the world,
25% of total world production of cultivated mushrooms. Pleurotus mushrooms are
world-wide, China is the major producer. Several species can be grown on carbonaceous
matter such as straw or newspaper. In the wild they are usually found growing
on wood.
- Volvariella volvacea :
The 'Paddy straw' mushroom. Volvariella mushrooms account for 16% of total
production of cultivated mushrooms in the world.
- Coprinus comatus :
The shaggy mane. Must be cooked as soon as possible after
harvesting or the caps will deliquesce and turn to ink. Only the fresh young caps
and stems are edible as the mature caps will turn black and unappetizing.
See
also:
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