h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Very good article on mushrooms that you can't eat.......

What about those you can eat????

'G'

Not only are there loads of edible mushrooms out there, but this is probably the best time of the year to find them - especially in the forests.

This is the time to find the KING OF MUSHROOMS - BOLETUS EDULIS - one of the most prized - also known as "CEP" (French) or "PORCINI" (Italian).

If you want to start picking mushrooms you will need two things - a good "field guide" full of photos and preferably someone experienced to go with initially, to introduce you - sometimes even the photos can be deceptive.

"So we found this big white mushroom which we called 'the orb', and we decided to take it home and worship it for a couple of days."


- unknown

Sounds like the Giant Puff-ball (Langermannia Gigantea) The large spherical fruit body grows to about 80cm. across . Although I understand the philosophical dilemma created when one discovers that ones God is good to eat,the Giant Puff-ball is edible when still white and firm,

But if you drink alcohol around the time you eat a puff ball you would rather be dead!

Urgh, I remember when I was little we went mushroom picking and found some giant puffballs and my mum cooked them. They were utterly horrid and soaked up oil like a sponge. Shame realy, it was quite exciting to find them.