Mushroom picking, a different way of discovering Galician nature

Abundant rainfall, mild temperatures and a humid environment make Galicia an ideal place for the proliferation of mushrooms in its forests. Autumn is also the season when this food is most abundant, which makes it the perfect season to get to know Galician nature through expeditions and mycology courses. Today we'll give you some tips on how to pick and eat them!

Abundant rainfall, mild temperatures and a humid environment make Galicia an ideal place for the proliferation of mushrooms in its forests. Autumn is also the season when this food is most abundant, which makes it the perfect season to get to know Galician nature through expeditions and mycology courses. Today we'll give you some tips on how to pick and eat them!

Before you start your mushroom-picking adventure, grab a pen and paper because you will need some tools for the activity. First of all, you will need a wicker basket, so the spores can disperse and so ensure the continuity of the species; a penknife, as most species are extracted with this tool; and lastly, although not essential, a walking stick will be useful for walking and clearing the undergrowth that may occur in the forest.

In relation to the use of the knife, we must cut the base horizontally so we don't damage the root. In case of collecting by hand, we will hold the mushroom by the stem and turn it until it comes loose.

What is really important when collecting mushrooms and fungi is the knowledge we have about them. Thus, the Federation of Mycological Associations of Castilla y León (FAMCAL) offers the following advice:

• Make sure you know the mushrooms and collect only those you know. In this sense, it is advisable to collect them whole for better identification and to attend courses and exhibitions, as well as having the supervision of an expert in the field.
• Do not eat mushrooms picked by other people, unless you are absolutely sure that they are experts.
• Collect what you are going to eat. Do not eat large quantities or keep them in the fridge for a long time, as overripe mushrooms can be indigestible and should be left in the forest to spread their spores.
• Do not pick mushrooms on roadsides. Nor in the vicinity of fields or industrial areas, as they can accumulate toxic and dangerous substances.

If you visit our lands, a mycology course can be a perfect opportunity to get to know the Galician forests in a different way. If you click on this link you can discover all the mycology associations in Galicia.