The mushroom season has begun, and June offers a variety of edible mushrooms for eager foragers. However, caution is necessary to distinguish edible varieties from their poisonous counterparts.
Boletus mushrooms, also known as white mushrooms, are a prized find in June. They have a brown cap and a thick stem with a white mesh pattern. They can be found under pines, oaks, and spruces.
Birch boletes and aspen mushrooms are also appearing. Birch boletes have a gray to dark brown cap and a stem speckled like birch bark, while aspen mushrooms have a distinctive orange cap.
Chanterelles can be found in June in favorable weather conditions. These mushrooms grow in families and are rarely wormy.
Velvet boletes, characterized by their velvety cap, are another option. They come in various colors and are most often found in deciduous and coniferous forests.
Russula mushrooms are typical for June, growing in various colors and locations. They are fragile and require careful handling.
Champignons can be found in open glades, parks, and residential areas. It is important to distinguish edible champignons from poisonous varieties.
Puffballs, recognizable by their lack of a cap and stem, are edible when young and white inside.
Slippery Jacks, with their oily cap, are common in coniferous forests. They require cleaning immediately after harvesting.
Honey mushrooms grow in groups on stumps and trees. They are tasty and fragrant but have inedible look-alikes.
It’s important to familiarize yourself with mushrooms and seek advice from experienced pickers. False mushrooms, such as honey mushrooms and chanterelles, can contain poison, and confusing death caps with champignons can lead to poisoning.
If you feel unwell after eating mushrooms, induce vomiting, drink sorbents, and seek medical attention. Mushrooms can absorb heavy metals, so it is important to collect them in safe areas away from highways and industrial enterprises.
Thorough heat treatment is essential, and consumption should be limited to 100–150 grams no more than twice a week.