Here are some videos I made showing how to find and identify some of the common edible species of mushrooms we have here in the uk.
Always remember never pick and eat anything believing it to be edible mushrooms unless you can 100% positively identify it yourself. My guides should help you with that but it is always important to learn from more than one source and do your own edible mushroom research.
All my videos contain facts about which edible mushrooms one could expect to find here in the UK, but many of these species also grown in North america and around the world. It is always important to research which edible mushroom lookalikes may exist where you live.
Below are some of the more common edible fungi and mushrooms that I find, but the list is not exhaustive and I will constantly be updating the list of edible mushrooms for which I will make videos as the seasons pass.
The Trooping Funnel –
The trooping funnel is an under-rated edible mushroom available in huge numbers across woodland in the late summer and through autumn
The Shaggy parasol
Along with its edible brother, the parasol, the edible shaggy parasol is a really great edible mushroom that ticks all the boxes. Only try a little at first as it can cause stomach upsets in some people, but most eat it with impunity
The Shaggy Ink Cap
A super common grassland edible mushroom that is also easy to identify once you learn its two lookalikes.
The amethyst deceiver
A gloriously colourful purple edible mushroom that grows most commonly under beech in Autumn, and retains it’s striking colour through cooking
Beefsteak Fungus
Not the tastiest edible fungi, but it’s ability to be identified by even the most novice forager makes the beefsteak fungus a must learn for all beginners.
The Hedgehog fungus
Another super easy to identify edible mushroom. Common in woodlands in autumn and early winter.
The Velvet Shank mushroom
The edible velvet shank mushroom is another gourmet mushroom with cousins being cultivated for sale to high end restaurants. Available in the winter too!
The Horse Mushroom
A cousin to the common button mushrooms sold in supermarkets, only bigger, tastier and betterer!
The common puffball
This is one of the most common edible mushrooms you are likely to find. They can be found in almost every woodland walk in the autumn
Wood Ears
One of the easiest edible mushrooms to find by looking specifically for it due to its propensity to grow on elder. Available all year round in the uk
Witches Butter or Yellow Brain Fungus
A funky looking edible mushroom growing on downed wood in the winter
The Glorious Grey Oyster Mushroom
This edible mushroom is one of my favourite finds as it ticks so many boxes. Super tasty, easy to identify, found in large quantities, grows in the winter when less choice is out there, and not uncommon.
Finally, a poisonous one every forager should know –
The Sulphur Tuft
I include this as its a highly toxic mushroom that you are bound to find, and has been confused with some edible species such as the honey fungus.
So there you have it, my guide
I hope you have success learning, finding and eating wild edible mushrooms for yourselves.
And remember – everyone starts somewhere, so if you only learn one this year, and then spend lots of time outside looking for it – there is little tastier than your first wild edible mushroom you found yourself!