A mushroom foraging holiday is a great idea for anyone who enjoys cultivating fungi. For many people, mushroom foraging can be taken on a regular basis – as much as once per week, or even more often if you are really ambitious. Of course, some people do not have an unlimited supply of time to spend cultivating mushrooms. While some people might want to invest in cultivating their own mushrooms using mushroom growing kits from sites like SporeBuddies, but few would rather get them from someone else. So, what type of mushrooms are the best to forage in order to find the best types of mushroom for cooking?
When it comes to mushroom foraging, there are actually two main schools of thought. The first is to go out into the wild and find the most edible mushrooms that you can. The second is to look for mushrooms that grow in containers, which is often easier said than done. It is important to know which method works best, so here we will take a look at both methods and give you an idea of the best types of mushrooms to forage in autumn.
There are many different types of mushrooms that you can forage in autumn, with each having their own unique properties. Shiitake mushrooms for example, are very rich in valuable enzymes. These are great for making stock and sauteing, or boiling with other foods. Or you could use this same enzymes to roast potatoes, or add them to any number of different dishes. Shiitake forage is a versatile mushroom, and you will find that it adds flavour to any dish you can cook.
A particularly unusual type of mushroom foraging holiday is to go out and find puffball mushrooms. This is a smaller version of the popular Shrimp for Hire and can be used in a whole variety of ways. You can steam them with sauces, fry them up, make a delicious stock, or even use them as garnish to your dishes.
If you’re looking for something a little bit more unusual when foraging for mushrooms, then you should consider trying some of the Indian mushroom varieties. These include shatavari, kurma, and asafetida. All are very flavourful and have their own unique properties that make them interesting to eat. You will also find that most Indian mushrooms tend to be quite small, making them easy to get for that perfect little bite.
Whether you choose to go for small mushrooms, or larger varieties, mushrooms are an absolutely fantastic food that can be enjoyed throughout the year. It’s important to keep in mind that they do best when foraging in autumn. This is when they are at their best, and therefore you will find them more abundant during this time. When purchasing mushrooms for your next trip, try to pick ones that are not exposed to chemicals. You will also find that the smaller varieties will taste better, so do a little searching before you spend your cash.