- Mushroom poisoning sickened 20 people and caused one death in early December.
- The California Public Health Department advises caution when foraging, especially for amateurs.
- Experts recommend you start foraging as an observer before building up to eating the mushrooms.
Wildcrafting and foraging don’t have to stop in the chilly months, at least not everywhere in the United States. Edible fungi, including hen of the woods and lion’s mane mushrooms, continue to grow at least into late autumn. But earlier this month, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a statement warning mushroom lovers about an outbreak of amatoxin poisoning.
That’s because 21 Californians have been stricken after eating wild mushrooms between mid-November and early December. Of the patients whose conditions were reported, one may need a liver transplant, while another has died.
And while you might think you’re in the clear, California officials suggest caution is key. “Toxic mushrooms, such as the death cap (Amanita phalloides), can easily be mistaken for safe, edible mushrooms due to their similar appearance and taste. Consuming these mushrooms can lead to severe poisoning,” the CDPH said in the statement. The release also clarified that processing the mushrooms, including cooking, drying or freezing them, does not eliminate the deadly toxins therein.
If you’re like us, thinking about mushrooms just made you a little bit hungry. So what are you to do if you’re simultaneously scared and salivating for our Loaded Portobello Mushrooms? We spoke to Ari Rockland-Miller, co-founder of The Mushroom Forager in Vermont. A self-described “ardent mycophile,” Rockland-Miller shared his tips for safe foraging with us.
When in Doubt, Throw It Out
“There are deadly mushrooms that are not only poisonous but actually can kill you if you make a mistake,” says Rockland-Miller. “So the stakes are simply too high to take a risk. There’s no margin for error. So when in doubt, throw it out before you try any new species.”
The expert says that the most dangerous category of mushroom is the “LBM” or “little brown mushroom,” because, like death caps, they can be easily mistaken for milder species. In fact, he says that the more it looks like a grocery-store mushroom, the more dangerous it could be in the wild. Translation? Proceed with caution.
“Another one of these old adages is that ‘There are old foragers, and there are bold foragers, but there are no old, bold foragers.’ I aspire to be one of the old ones,” Rockland-Miller advises.
Get to Know Your Mushrooms
“Whenever you’re trying a new mushroom—before you even consider eating it—I’d recommend just starting by learning it, getting to know it, kind of like a friend,” Rockland-Miller explains. “So just look for it when you’re in the woods. Maybe take a photograph. Maybe take some field notes. You don’t have to start out with consumption being your goal.”
It’s best to set your sights on easy-to-identify mushrooms. He recommends the bear’s head tooth fungus (Hericium americanum), which resembles a frozen waterfall more than it does a typical mushroom. It has neither gills nor spores, which makes it distinctive and relatively easy for a beginner to spot, though Rockland-Miller is quick to say that no mushroom is completely foolproof.
Part of why death cap mushrooms and other poisonous specimens are so dangerous is their resemblance to other species that are perfectly safe. And even some of our favorites, including morels, have near-doppelgangers that are toxic. (Speaking of morels, the gourmet favorites must be fully cooked or they, too, could make you sick.)
Ask an Expert
Though books can be useful in your foraging journey, Rockland-Miller says there’s no replacement for getting out into the field with someone who truly knows mushrooms. That’s because it’s imperative to see precisely how the fungus you’re checking out is growing.
For example, the death cap’s cousin, the destroying angel mushroom (Amanita verna), may look benign from above. But if you check under the soil, you’ll see the sack at its base that can help a specialist identify it as potentially fatal.
That said, never eat wild mushrooms gifted by friends unless those friends are experienced amateur (or actual) mycologists. As Rockland-Miller shares, a simple mistake when foraging can result in sickness for a dinner party full of people, and that’s the last thing any host wants.
Our Expert Take
But while caution is a good thing, it shouldn’t scare you off from consuming wild mushrooms from trusted sources. As Rockland-Miller puts it, “I’ve never had even a single upset stomach in all my years of mushroom hunting, because I’m always 100% positive before I bring something home for the table. So there are ways to enjoy this in a very rewarding way. But just like anything in life, being prudent and doing your homework is essential.”
If you want to get into foraging, consider looking for a class or a guided hike in your area. But in the meantime, be cautious with any tasty mushrooms you encounter on your next walk. And when in doubt, find a trusted expert to check your mushrooms before you eat them.
