Most city dwellers gradually lose their orientation skills in the forest, as well as the distinction between edible and inedible gifts of the forest. The same applies to mushrooms, because it seems that they are much easier to buy in the store. But at the same time it is necessary to take into account the pleasure that can be obtained in the process of hunting for them. So, for example, how to look for porcini mushroom?
About mushrooms
Most associate these organisms solely with their fruits - what can be seen, for example, in stores. But many people remember from the biology course that everything is not so simple. The first feature is that fungi do not belong to plants. And they are really very different from them. Second: a mushroom is not only what is visible on the surface. It is only his body, a small part. And the main one lies underground - this is the mycelium. Few people do not notice that mushrooms grow in groups, as if finding one, you can find several more nearby. And all because the same mycelium is located in the soil, which is not roots in the usual sense of the word, but has a number of similar functions. It can extend to a sufficiently large space and comes to the surface in the form of mushroom bodies.
Properties and nutritional value
They are called forest meat, and this name is not accidental. They are almost entirely made up of water, followed by proteins, about the same amount of carbohydrates and very little fat. When dried, the amount of protein per 100 grams increases to about 30%, but this can not serve as a substitute for meat. The fact is that most of the protein is not absorbed by the human body due to a special substance - chitin, which enters the cell membrane of fungi.
But you can not ignore the fact that they contain a huge number of useful trace elements and vitamins. Some of them can even serve as a medicine against some diseases - a separate area called fungotherapy is engaged in the study of these properties. But besides, we must not forget that this is quite heavy food, which is digested for a long time.
Silent hunt
Mushroom pickers are often called hunters, and this, in general, is true. Their task, in fact, is to track down their prey, since luck rarely smiles at random. And these people have secrets on how to look for mushrooms, where to do it, at what time. Of course, they also distinguish edible mushrooms from poisonous ones and possess a number of special skills and knowledge. So, what are the basic rules that you need to know in order for the “silent hunt” to be successful?
Where and how to look for mushrooms?
There are places in the forest where the hunter is more likely to meet his prey. The main weapon here is knowledge. Some species prefer sunny edges and clearings, while others prefer shady lowlands. But there are some universal rules that help both beginners and more experienced mushroom hunters.
Firstly, you need to go out into the forest early in the morning, when there are no oblique sun rays and the dew has not dried. It is moisture after a cool night that will help you notice shiny wet hats in the grass.
Secondly, it is necessary to remember the principle of mushroom growth - if one is found, then there will definitely be several more. So you need to take a closer look around.
Thirdly, the first trips are best arranged with more experienced guides. This will allow you to get orientation skills in the forest, as well as understand how to look for mushrooms.
Fourthly, a special stick about a meter long with a slingshot at the end will be a good helper. It is very convenient for her to push the grass in front of herself and on both sides, so as not to miss a single boletus or boletus.
Nevertheless, each fan of the “silent hunt” has its own secrets on how to find porcini mushrooms, where to look for mushrooms. When going to the forest for specific species, you need to know not only when to collect them best, but also their favorite places.
Mushroom season in the suburbs
Traditionally, it is believed that forest meat needs to be harvested in the fall, but this does not mean that lovers of "quiet hunting" in October put their baskets for almost a year. In fact, the first mushrooms may appear in March, however, at this time there are very few of them, it is better to postpone the beginning of the season until April-May (depending on the speed of snow melting and the rise in average daily temperature). Morels and lines are collected in the Moscow Region at this time, which look rather strange, but have excellent taste.
At the end of May and the beginning of June, brown boletus and many other summer mushrooms begin to appear, and in July all the main species gradually begin to bear fruit, although this time is considered not too fruitful. The real active season opens in August, when the forests hide truly infinite wealth! This golden time lasts until about mid-September and makes it possible not to figure out how to look for mushrooms in the forest, because they are literally everywhere and practically ask for a basket. Experienced people know that over the summer there are several "waves" of growth or "layers". The first of them falls in the second half of July, and the rest - for a short time before the beginning of this fall. This is exactly the moment when it is best for a beginner to try his hand.
At the end of October, the main season closes, although some lovers can stretch it for a few more weeks. And yet, where to look for mushrooms, so as not to go at random? Each species needs its own approach.
The king of the forests is, of course, the boletus. Usually he lives under a pine, oak, spruce or birch. It is even difficult not to notice it, because it is a cep. Where to look for chanterelles, probably everyone knows - mainly in deciduous forests, although they are also found in conifers. To search for honey mushrooms, you can use the simple method - looking up, find a dry oak tree without leaves, and look for this species near it, because they are parasites that cause diseases and death of trees. How to look for mushrooms with “talking” names boletus and boletus is probably not worth mentioning. In fact, the ability to find suitable places comes with experience, the main thing is not to lose enthusiasm.
For starters, you can go in the areas considered the most "productive." In the Moscow region mushroom pickers often go to the stations of Zhavoronki, Tuchkovo, Dorokhovo, Pobeda, Dachnaya, Zosimova Pustyn, White Pillars, Lvov, Donino, Gzhel, Zelenogradskaya, Abramtsevo, Khimki, Povarovo, etc. In fact, in the midst of the season it’s easy to understand which places are popular now - a lot of people with baskets get off on them from morning trains.
Other features
Going into the forest, you need to dress properly and follow all the necessary safety precautions. For example, wear a hat and high boots. This will help protect yourself from ticks and snakes that are found in the grass and on the bushes.
Each mushroom picker should have a knife and a special container. An ordinary package will not work, because in it the collected package will quickly "suffocate", lose all appearance and benefits, crumble and immediately begin to rot. Willow baskets are best suited. As for the collection method, there are two directly opposite opinions: someone believes that it is better to cut mushrooms, and someone insists that this method provokes rotting and death of the mycelium, so it is better to unscrew the leg from the ground, like a screw. Unfortunately, there is no general opinion.
Edible and inedible
One of the first rules of mushroom pickers is this - in case of doubt it is better to refuse. Learning to distinguish edible from their poisonous brethren is not so difficult, it is a matter of practice. But the fact is that even the most delicious boletus, boletus and mushrooms can be fraught with danger. Before deciding where to look for mushrooms, you need to find a suitable place for this - a forest that is quite far from roads and any other sources of pollution. Each hat and a beautiful appetizing leg found near such places threaten poisoning. The fact is that mushrooms absorb all harmful substances like a sponge, and it is impossible to get rid of them. Therefore, it is worth thinking several times, choosing places where to look for mushrooms in the suburbs.
Another feature that affects edibility is the relative position of different species. Sometimes it happens that a mushroom picker finds a clearing with a whole family of hats. And suddenly, in the midst of this crowd, a pale grebe is discovered. It is better to throw away the collected, since the poison that fell into the mycelium can cause, in the best case, severe poisoning.
In addition, you should not bring home large overripe specimens. It is better to do otherwise - to chop a hat on a tree branch in the forest. So the debate will be easier to spread, and next year there is a chance to see much more mushrooms in the same places.
Symptoms of Poisoning
Everyone is sometimes mistaken, but it is important to fix it in time. After eating mushrooms and suddenly doubting, you need to analyze your condition. The following symptoms should alert:
- abdominal pain;
- nausea, vomiting;
- rise or fall in temperature;
- drowsiness;
- increased salivation and / or sweating;
- intense thirst.
The appearance of several of these symptoms after eating mushrooms is an occasion to immediately seek help, even if it seems that this is not necessary. It can save someone’s life, and even edible but improperly processed species can be poisoned.
