Mushrooms require a lot of energy to mature, and cutting them short can cause them to lose potency. It also exposes uncolonised grains to contamination, so pulling them instead of cutting helps to preserve the integrity of the cake.
The best time to harvest mushrooms is when their veil just broke or is about to break (Option b). This indicates that the mushroom is fully mature and has reached its highest potential for potency before releasing spores.
Spring
Whether you are foraging mushrooms in the wild or growing them yourself, spring is one of the best times to harvest. This is because most mushroom species begin to fruit around this time, and they are at their most potent for culinary or medicinal use, or present in bulk mushroom growing.
Mushrooms thrive in humid environments, which makes their appearance in the spring particularly delightful. They love to pop up after a period of rain, so this season is an ideal one to go hunting for your favorite edible.
Morels are a popular wild mushroom, and they usually emerge each spring in woodlands after there has been adequate rainfall. They are often found near dead elm, ash, or oak trees, as well as burn scars and logged areas.
The best time to pick morels is when their veil has just broken or is about to break. This signifies that they are mature and has reached the optimal strength for consumption or other purposes. This also allows for a prolonged shelf life once harvested.
It is also important to note that the gills of the mushrooms should be 80% open before they are ready for harvest. This will give them a full and dense flavor that is unique to these mushrooms. This stage also helps to prevent any contamination from unwanted fungi that may be hiding in the crevices of the mushroom.
Some people default to a calendar when looking for morels, but the ground temperature is a better indicator of their readiness. According to the Minnesota harvester handbook, morels start popping up in the Spring when the ground reaches 53 degrees Fahrenheit. It is recommended to look in woody areas with south or hard west slopes that catch the most sunlight, as they warm up faster than shaded spots.
While morels are the most commonly harvested mushroom in this area, there are many other species of edible mushrooms to discover each year. For example, the flamboyant colors of rooster’s beak (or chicken of the woods) make this a fun option for vegetarians. Its delicious flavors and savory texture also make it an excellent substitute for meat.
Summer
Whether your mushrooming adventures are in the woods or in a grow kit, the best time to harvest mushrooms is when their veil has just broken or is about to break (Option b). The veil is a thin layer that covers and protects a young mushroom’s spore-producing surfaces as it grows. Once the mushroom matures, the veil stretches and breaks to reveal these surfaces. When harvested at this stage, the mushroom is at its peak for culinary or other uses, delivering maximum potency and biochemical compounds.
The summer mushroom season typically starts in late spring or early summer and continues into autumn. While some species like shiitakes will continue to fruit well into winter in cold climates, the bulk of the mushroom harvest occurs during these months.
Some of the most popular mushrooms to harvest at this time include lion’s mane, oysters, and brick caps. These mushrooms are typically found on the ground, often in clusters, growing from tree stumps and rotting logs. They are one of the easiest types of mushrooms to find for both beginner and expert mushroomers alike.
Oysters are another very common mushroom to harvest this time of year, and they can be found on both living and dead trees. They have a mild flavor and are great for soups and stir fry dishes. They are also one of the more nutritious mushrooms, being rich in Vitamin D and B vitamins, dietary fiber, protein, and antioxidants.
Like many things in nature, the timing of a mushroom harvest can be tricky. Mushrooms do best with a certain amount of precipitation to help them thrive, so be sure to check the weather forecast before heading out. Miller suggests following a simple guideline: “If it rains two inches, wait two weeks.”
Once you’ve found your prized specimens, keep them in the refrigerator in a paper bag to prevent them from sweating. This will help them maintain their flavor and quality, as well as prevent contamination from other mushrooms.
Fall
In the fall, many species begin to fruit, and although it may not be as prolific as spring morel hunting, it is still a good time to find edible mushrooms. Cooler weather and the moisture from autumn rains stimulate growth.
Mushrooms grow and mature through a process called sporulation, and when a mushroom reaches maturity it will release its spores and begin to reproduce. During this stage, the gills of a mushroom are light colored and will start to emit a milky liquid. The best way to determine if a mushroom is ready to be harvested is by examining its stem, cap and gills. The gills should be about 80% open. If they are not, they will need more time to mature and release their spores.
If a mushroom isn’t releasing spores, it means that it hasn’t reached the optimal maturity for harvesting. Trying to harvest a mushroom when its gills are not yet fully exposed will result in the death of the mushroom and could cause a person to become ill. Overharvesting is something that both wild foragers and home growers should avoid.
The second factor that determines when a mushroom is ready to be picked is the strength of a mushroom. When a mushroom isn’t quite mature it will lose its strength and be less potent. This is important because a mushroom that has lost its strength will not be able to produce any more psilocybin or other psychoactive compounds, so it is best to only harvest mushrooms that are ripe and strong.
The most common and best times for harvesting mushrooms are in the spring and fall. Although it is possible to harvest mushrooms throughout the year, the majority of mushroom hunters will agree that these two seasons are best for finding the most diverse and tasty varieties.
Winter
While mushroom hunting is often thought of as a spring and fall activity, it can actually be done year-round. Some mushrooms thrive in winter and if you know what to look for, this can be a great time to find some delicious treasures.
Most of the species that are harvested in winter are ones that love cool, damp conditions. These include oyster mushrooms, turkey tails and lion’s mane. These are best found along tree trunks, on rotting logs and in the grass. Foraging in winter requires more care and attention because it is colder and there are less edible species around. But if you’re prepared with a good guidebook, some good friends and some extra layers, this can be a fun and rewarding adventure.
As with the other seasons, it is important to harvest the mushrooms at the correct time in order to obtain the best yield and quality. Mushrooms are usually at their peak potency when the veil is just breaking (or about to break). Once the veil breaks, it takes on a blue-green hue and can no longer absorb sunlight. This is when the mushroom reaches its highest potency and should be harvested.
Choosing when to harvest the mushrooms can be tricky as it depends on the particular variety and is something that most people learn through trial and error (and probably some bruised egos). The key is to wait until you see signs that the mushroom is done growing. This could be the edges of the cap becoming flattened or uncurled or the gills beginning to enlarge and drop spores.
One thing to remember is that the best mushroom is not necessarily the largest one. It’s the one that is at its peak in terms of flavor, texture and potency. So don’t be afraid to pick some smaller ones, as they can often taste better and have higher nutrient content than larger specimens.
Getting to know the different species of mushrooms and their habitats is the most important part of any mushroom hunt. This knowledge can help you find the most delicious varieties and also help you avoid some of the pitfalls that many beginner mushroom hunters face.
