According to information from the MOH, mushrooms can cause severe food poisoning in humans.
There are only a few weeks left until the peak of the mushroom season, but gathering and preparing mushrooms requires careful attention. Proper preparation helps avoid poisoning and preserves the flavor of mushroom dishes.
Do not pick mushrooms near highways or in dry areas, and do not consume raw collected specimens. Improper handling or the use of spoiled mushrooms can pose a serious health risk.
Classification of mushrooms and foraging guidelines
In terms of edibility, mushrooms are divided into four main groups: edible, conditionally edible, inedible, and poisonous. Among the poisonous are well-known species such as the death cap and the fly agaric, as well as false honey mushrooms. Mushrooms unsuitable for consumption have a pronounced unpleasant taste or odor. Conditionally edible mushrooms require special processing (salting, drying, or repeated boiling) to reduce toxicity. Although this classification helps you get oriented, the final identification of a species is best left to an experienced forager.
How to safely gather and select mushrooms
Collect only species that you are well familiar with. If you have any doubts about the species, it’s better to skip harvesting. Avoid picking mushrooms that are too young or too old – they often share features with other species and can be poisonous. Carefully examine the cap, stem, and gills for distinctive signs of the specific species.
Processing and preparation
Raw mushrooms are not eaten. Before consuming them, they should be well processed. For some conditionally edible species, prolonged heat treatment is used (for example, boiling several times in salted water) to reduce toxicity.
After preparing mushroom dishes, they should be cooled and stored in the refrigerator for no longer than one day to maintain safety and flavor.
First aid in case of suspected poisoning
Symptoms of poisoning can appear from 30 minutes to several days after ingestion: nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dizziness, fever, irregular heart rhythms, or hallucinations.
If poisoning is suspected, you should immediately consult a doctor. While awaiting help, it is useful to drink plenty of fluids and take sorbents, and avoid alcohol and dairy products until your condition stabilizes.
Mushroom foraging requires a responsible attitude toward the source and methods of processing. By following simple safety rules and knowledge about mushroom categories, you can enjoy nature’s seasonal gifts without risk.
