I live in Europe. Just go by the rule of thumb, if you’re unsure, do not eat. Does it have a porous underside, if yes, most of the times edible. Does it have lamelles, if yes, be careful.
Apart from the very dangerous ones, that you should know. If you’re a bit knowledgeable, take a pinch and put it in your tongue, if it’s spicy or stinging, it’s not edible. Is it neutral, it’s likely to be edible.
If you go by that order you should be fine. Never forget number 1 though.
Don’t go by any general rules. If you are unsure, take it home and sit down with your mushroom guide book and go through all the ways of identifying it and separating it from similar species until you are sure, or you give up and throw it away.
Just off the cuff here are a couple of examples that violate the advice given above, golden chanterelle is very spicy but perfectly edible; gyromitra esculenta (“false morel”) does not have lamelles, is supposed to be mildly flavoured, but is deadly toxic.
Or live in Europe. Seriously, it’s so much harder here, except for 3 or 4 really obvious but not that great tasting ones .
What do you mean? Chanterelles taste great
I live in Europe. Just go by the rule of thumb, if you’re unsure, do not eat. Does it have a porous underside, if yes, most of the times edible. Does it have lamelles, if yes, be careful. Apart from the very dangerous ones, that you should know. If you’re a bit knowledgeable, take a pinch and put it in your tongue, if it’s spicy or stinging, it’s not edible. Is it neutral, it’s likely to be edible. If you go by that order you should be fine. Never forget number 1 though.
Don’t go by any general rules. If you are unsure, take it home and sit down with your mushroom guide book and go through all the ways of identifying it and separating it from similar species until you are sure, or you give up and throw it away.
Just off the cuff here are a couple of examples that violate the advice given above, golden chanterelle is very spicy but perfectly edible; gyromitra esculenta (“false morel”) does not have lamelles, is supposed to be mildly flavoured, but is deadly toxic.