Before You Eat That....
Mushroom Safety (Read This!)
Loving pontifications aside, there is a darker side to Mycophagy and that is, of course, the potential for serious poisoning. Even well seasoned, veteran mycophiles have surrendered their better judgement in the excitement of the chase to later suffer mild to violent sickness or even death in failing to follow through in a complete and thorough process of identification. For beginners it is ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL to confirm the identity of mushrooms intended for consumpion under the tutelage of a trusted, experienced, knowledgeable person. There is no substitute for a mentor in this instance. Even the best books can be confusing and misleading or contradictory when compared with one another. The inexperienced person may be sure of his identification, but may also be completely unaware of details or differences which he is missing. Unfortunate mishaps with mushrooms have given rise to glib sayings such as, "when in doubt, throw it out!" and "There are OLD mushroom hunters and there are BOLD mushroom hunters but there are no OLD BOLD mushroom hunters."
Beyond learning how to identify known poisonous species, potential Mycophagists should also be aware that there are other danger factors to be aware of which deserve mention:
Each individual has their own unique sensitivities to different foods. There are species which are generally considered safe to which some individuals may have adverse reactions
Species which are generally considered safe can become unsafe when growing in the presence of environmental toxins
It sometimes happens that a person who has enjoyed a species of edible mushroom all their life suddenly develops an intolerance to that species
The rules of food safety still apply! Many mushrooms are very high in different kinds of protein and present themselves as ideal growing media for bacteria. You wouldn't eat old or questionable chicken. Don't eat questionable mushrooms!
Many wild mushrooms are partially indigestible, containing elements for which our bodies do not produce digestive enzymes. For this reason, wild mushrooms should be enjoyed in small amounts.
A person can worry themselves into sickness if they are anxious or unsure about consuming wild mushrooms.
People with weak or undeveloped immune systems can have adverse reactions to wild mushrooms
Some mushrooms can turn off the body's ability to produce the enzyme responsible for breaking town alcohol. Sometimes this effect can persist for several days. Heavy drinking with some mushrooms can result in alcohol poisoning.
Follow These Guidelines
When eating a new species, eat only a small amount by itself.
Never eat mushrooms harvested from an area which is known to be toxic.
Always enjoy mushrooms in moderation
Do not mix other species with an unfamiliar one.
Always reserve some of the fresh mushroom in the refrigerator as a reference
As a rule, wild mushrooms should always be served fully cooked
Wild mushrooms should not be served to someone who is very young, very elderly or has a compromised immune system
Do not try to push mushrooms, however tasty, on an unwilling participant
Don't mix wild mushrooms heavily with alchohol, especially Coprinus
WHEN IN DOUBT THROW IT OUT!
Now, with the scary stuff out of the way, we can move onto the more pleasant aspects of Mycophagy...