Can I eat them?

[Dirk]

Ah, yes, those... Used to have loads of them in the garden, but haven't seen any in a couple of years. Didn't realise they were edible.

You've got to pick them very young, before they open, and eat very quickly afterwards as they tend to dissolve into an inky mess if left. I always preferred them raw.
Some people can have a reaction to them if they drink alcohol at the same time - basically nausea - but I've never experienced this.

 

[Dirk]

Here's another easily identifiable one - the Parasol Mushroom. They can grow to the size of a dinner plate. Again, best picked young when about 4 - 6 " diameter.

 

[Heltor Chasca]

View attachment 366754

Here's another one you can't mistake for anything else - the Shaggy Ink Cap.
Best picked young before they open out. Very nice raw in a salad.

But for some, they react to shaggies badly if they have also consumed with alcohol. Never affected me in the past though. (I don't drink any more and I'm yet to try them without)

 

[Dirk]

But for some, they react to shaggies badly if they have also consumed with alcohol. Never affected me in the past though. (I don't drink any more and I'm yet to try them without)

That's wot I said....

 

[Heltor Chasca]

Here's another easily identifiable one - the Parasol Mushroom. They can grow to the size of a dinner plate. Again, best picked young when about 4 - 6 " diameter.
View attachment 366764

I agree but COULD be confused with Stinking parasol which is smaller and a lepiota species which should ALL be avoided. For every goody, there's a baddy. Just take a look at a Bill Oddie.

 

[Heltor Chasca]

That's wot I said....

Sorry. My bad. Long day.

EDIT: I found the shaggy ink caps had a 'gritty' texture. Any idea if they have silica or something like that in the ink (liquid spores) or flesh?

 

[Andy_R]

Sorry. My bad. Long day.

EDIT: I found the shaggy ink caps had a 'gritty' texture. Any idea if they have silica or something like that in the ink (liquid spores) or flesh?

Too many shrooms?

 

[gbb]

The picture looks as though the fungi is growing in woodland. I was all ways advised to be very wary of picking any fungi growing in woodland.

My dad always told me don't pick 'mushrooms' from near trees or hedges and this was good advise if you're looking for mushrooms...but of course there are probably plenty of other edible fungi that DO thrive In or around trees...but they're beyond most people's comfort zone.

 

[Dirk]

I found the shaggy ink caps had a 'gritty' texture. Any idea if they have silica or something like that in the ink (liquid spores) or flesh?

I don't know, all the ones I've eaten were smooth in texture and quite a delicate flavour. I wouldn't touch one that's opened out and certainly not one that was dripping ink.

 

[Reynard]

Wouldn't bother me - am teetotal

I just stick to the puffballs, else I just nip to Mr Tesco for my mushrooms. Just too much of a minefield. I did go picking boletes and other mushrooms in Poland, but I was with someone who knew what they were doing.

 

[gbb]

Puffballs are easily identifiable and make good eating. Large ones, in good condition, are worth a few bob at speciality restaurants.

Bogger. ... I shoulda known that then, there were maybe 50 of these in one field, some bigger

 

[Reynard]

LOLOLOLOL!

 

[Dirk]

View attachment 366777
Bogger. ... I shoulda known that then, there were maybe 50 of these in one field, some bigger

Should've picked them and flogged them in London.......
https://www.finefoodspecialist.co.uk/giant-puffballs-fresh/

 

[Glow worm]

Go for it OP- all mushrooms are edible at least once!

 

[slowmotion]

I asked the good parishioners about 'shrooms last summer and was given a lot of helpful advice.....
https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/anybody-know-about-shrooms.206034/

I bought a fantastic book with lovely photographs......but I've never been brave enough to self-identify them, despite my initial bravado. If you know someone you can trust with your life, foraging is fantastic fun. Otherwise, stick to Tesco/Waitrose or whatever floats your boat.