How Do You Tell If A Mushroom Is Poisonous Or Edible?

Heading out for a mushroom hunt, spotting mushrooms, but unsure if what you’ve found is safe to eat? You’re in the right spot!

Today, we’re going to attempt to guide you on determining whether a mushroom is safe to eat or toxic. Let’s get started!

How To Know If My Mushroom Is Edible Or Poisonous

Let’s cut to the chase: a mushroom that isn’t poisonous isn’t necessarily edible! Indeed, many mushrooms are not poisonous and yet they are not edible either! Why?

Because an “edible” mushroom must have several qualities:

• It should not be toxic (therefore not poisonous)
• be digestible
• Have a good taste
• Should not be too old
• …

The question of edibility is therefore a little more complicated than that! And a normally edible mushroom may turn out to be inedible under certain conditions. So, you have to be careful. Let’s take a look at each of the points that we mentioned above.

But before moving on, know that if you want to know the best mushroom spots near you, we provide you with Mushroom Maps on our website. These maps allow you to know directly the best areas of forest to look for them. Go on an adventure with our Mushroom Maps!

An Edible Mushroom Must Not Be Poisonous

This is the most important point! A toxic mushroom can kill you and this is therefore the first criterion to look at before consuming a mushroom! In addition, it is not always easy to recognize a poisonous mushroom. We will come back to this point later in the article.

An Edible Mushroom Must Be Digestible

What do we mean by that? Some people are simply intolerant to certain mushrooms and/or cannot digest mushrooms. An edible mushroom that is good for you may therefore be inedible for another person.

It Must Taste Good

Flavor is a significant factor. Ultimately, we consume mushrooms for enjoyment, and the taste has to be satisfying. Nevertheless, certain mushrooms possess all the attributes of edibility but might lack flavor or not taste good.

Which Mushrooms Are Most Edible?

• Morel mushrooms (You have to cook it for at least 20 minutes)
• Chanterelles
• Porcini mushrooms (King Boletes)
• Chicken of the woods
• Hedgehog mushrooms
• Oyster mushrooms
• Black trumpets
• Hen-of-the-Woods
• Lion’s Mane
• Enoki
• …

Which Mushrooms Are Deadly?

• Death cap
• Conocybe filaris
• Webcaps
• Autumn skullcap
• Destroying angels
• …

Knowing If A Mushroom Is Edible: Identifying A Mushroom

In most cases, edibility can be given by identifying the mushroom. In other words, there is no shortcut to knowing if a mushroom is edible! You have to go through the identification!

And if you are wondering about the edibility of mushrooms, it is certainly that you are new to picking mushrooms. So here is a series of tips that you should keep in mind:

• First, get a good identification book with illustrated pictures.
• Then, stick to the main edible mushrooms: porcini mushrooms, chanterelles, morels, Hedgehog mushrooms, black trumpets… Indeed, it is your best guarantee of progressing quickly without making mistakes.
• Besides, take your time during your identification, be confident and validate step by step each important criterion. (morphological criteria, colors, reactions to cutting…)
• Finally, join a local mycological club and discover mushrooms with experienced people.

Find Mushrooms With Our Maps!

Want to know where the main edible mushrooms are in your state? Explore our Mushroom Maps here. Our maps will allow you to really progress in the search for mushrooms while helping you find the best mushrooms, more often.

Have fun!