Alberta Campgrounds | Foraging For Wild Mushrooms

Foraging for wild mushrooms remains a popular activity in Alberta campgrounds. Because there are many different types. That not only are nutritious, and quite delicious.

But because many different mushrooms that are found. Throughout Alberta campgrounds, have a known medicinal use. For example, one of the most popular. And useful medicinal mushrooms.

Is called the Ganoderma Apple natum. And has an extremely long list. Of medicinal uses, including anti-inflammatory properties. Painkillers, and anti-nausea as well as.

When people decide to learn how to go foraging. For wild mushrooms in Alberta campgrounds. Education and knowledge. Are going to be the novices best friend.

People should become familiar. With one type of mushroom first. Learning everything they can about identifying it. And not just how to identify it. On appearance alone. Because appearances can be deceiving.

Many useful, and nutritious restrooms. Often have a look-alike that is poisonous. And can only be determined. If people know a lot about the mushroom. People must know the characteristics.

Of appearance. But also colour, smell, and spore print. The spore print is what it looks like. When the mushroom releases the spores. From the gills on the underside of the mushroom cap.

People can pick a mushroom. And then place it on a piece of paper. It will continue to release spores out of its gills. These spores will then stick to the paper. After a few hours.

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People can come back to the paper. And pick up the mushroom. In order to look at what the spore print looks like. Not only will it be in the shape. Of the mushrooms gills. But the spores themselves will have a certain colour.

Some wild mushrooms have white, brown or black spores. But they can also be quite colourful. In hues of yellows, oranges. Reds, and even pink colours. Knowing what to look for in terms of what a mushroom looks like.

What the mushroom smells like, where it lives. Such as what types of plants and vegetation it grows nearby. As well as what the spore print looks like. Can help identify each type of mushroom.

For example, one of the most popular varieties. Which is the saffron milk. Likes to grow in the shadows of the large, old pine trees. And if someone finds a milk. Growing in a completely different area.

They should double check, the different characteristics. And also take a spore print. To ensure that they are not picking a mushroom. That should not be eaten. Once people are familiar with one type of mushroom.

They can go out to elevated experience camping. In order to forage for these delicious, and nutritious morsels. They will tend to find. That the same areas will keep growing mushrooms. Not just because they like those conditions.

But because the mushrooms, are simply a fruit. Of a larger organism. Which is called the mycelium. The mycelium is one of the largest living organisms on planet earth. And can cover hundreds of square kilometres.

Alberta Campgrounds | Tips While Foraging For Wild Mushrooms

Many people love foraging for wild mushrooms in Alberta campgrounds. Because many different varieties that grow in this province. Are very nutritious, delicious. And have many known medicinal uses.

In fact, people have been foraging. In what is now called elevated experience campground. For many different things, for centuries. Not only are there many types of berries. That are delicious and nutritious.

From the Saskatoon berries. Growing on tall trees. That often provide a favourite snack, for deer and moose in the area. But also, blueberries that tend to love growing. In areas where there have recently.

Been a forest fire. Because they love the ashy soil. And grow very close to the ground. To raspberry bushes, and rose hip bushes. That grow on bushes, off the ground. But not as tall as the Saskatoon trees.

All of these berries can be foraged and eaten. As well as many other plants in the area. Such as cloud berries, and Labrador tea. That all can be prepared in different ways. And either consumed. Or used for skincare.

Just like anything that people are foraging for. If people are looking for mushrooms. They need to be extremely knowledgeable. About how to identify the mushrooms. Before they pick and consume them.

As well, once they know. How to identify a mushroom. They also must know. How to properly prepare one. Because while many mushroom varieties in Alberta campgrounds. Our delicious, they cannot be eaten raw.

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Because they might be unpalatable. Or, if consumed raw. Will give the person who ate the mushroom. Extreme gastrointestinal distress. Such as nausea, and diarrhea.

Therefore, part of the learning process. About identifying a mushroom. Also includes how to properly prepare it. For example, saffron milk caps need to be parboiled first. For a few minutes, and then sliced thin and sautéed.

Many people may understand that mushrooms are delicious. But they do not know exactly how nutritious they are. Many mushrooms are extremely good for the body. For example Portobello mushrooms.

Actually have more potassium than bananas. Therefore, not only are mushrooms delicious. But they are a very good source of protein. And vitamins that can help people get the proper nutrients in their body.

And while foraging for wild mushrooms can be a lot of fun. Whether or not people find mushrooms. If people are more interested in the picking and eating of the mushrooms. There are many different.

Mushroom growing kits. That people can purchase. By putting their mushroom kit, in a damp, dark location. Such as in their basement. Rather than in their garden, or a greenhouse. People can grow.

A wide variety of mushrooms. Such as shiitake, Portobello. Oyster mushrooms and even the most popular. Saffron milk cap mushrooms. That way, they can have their favourite mushrooms year round.

And when they come back to Alberta campgrounds. In the spring, summer and the fall. They will be able to supplement their mushroom supply. And enjoy the fresh air, and enjoy the hunt at the same time.