Issue link: https://nest.uberflip.com/i/1052093
TOOLS REQUIRED • Mushroom knife • Collection basket • Boots for getting muddy • Keen sense of adventure HOW TO FIND YOUR FUNGI GOLD MINE First things first, you'll need a to do a little research about where to go looking for your tasty morsels. Most mushrooms have mutualistic relationships with certain types of trees, so knowing which species are forest friends is key. Chanterelles are commonly associated with hardwood trees like birch, maple, poplar, oak and beech and sometimes pine, hemlock and fir. They also are moisture, shade and organic matter lovers, so they tend to pop out after the first big, heavy rains of the season and remain until the frost settles in (usually mid to late November). Search close to streams and other low, damp areas forhitting the mother lode. Now that you have narrowed your search zone down, it's time to strap on your hiking boots, grab your basket and blade and embark on a fantastical nature voyage. Once you have found your chantarelle sweet spot (sweet success!), cut them at the base leaving a small amount of stem poking above ground. Never pull mushrooms because: a) you're going to get your mushrooms and basket covered in dirt b) if you leave their base intact, chanterelles will grow back and produce a second bounty the following year. Toss your edible treasures into your basket. Baskets are choice vessels because they won't squish your mushrooms and they let debris fall through the cracks—which means less cleaning time and minimal nature carnage tracked into your kitchen. important Never eat a mushroom if you are not sure what it is. Always confidently identify prior to consumption.