London, Europe Brief News – Thousands of tonnes of mushrooms grow in Europe at this time of year.
For fans of foraging, picking them themselves is the only way to get their hands of these little pieces of fungal magic.
With the cost of living so high, many people are looking for free or cheap sources of food. So foraging is likely to be more popular than ever this year.
But before you set off, there are a few practical things to keep in mind, from country regulations to safety issues.
Though France might be most famous for its grapes, it has more than 3,000 varieties of mushrooms, mostly located in the south around the Pyrenees and Provence.
In the hills between Cadenet and Lourmarin, Les Pastras runs a two-day foraging excursion. You’ll get to hunt for ten different varieties of mushrooms, including cepes, chanterelle and black trumpet.
The best time to go often depends on the mushroom type and location, but the most popular time is generally autumn. This is when rain and humidity levels are ideal for growth.
In Italy, the mushroom season stretches from April to November, and even December in some southern regions.
In the UK, October is the height of mushroom season.
