Fungi Fetish!

Do you enjoy your mushroom? The author asks you to indulge in the exciting world of mushroom hunting in this interesting article about the pleasures of mycology.

- SOURABH BISWAS

We’ve all met the frog’s buddy, mushrooms, in the nooks and corners of our homes or among the pages of a simple textbook from our childhood. We don’t see them all year round, for they prefer the rainy season and the humid climate – they thrive on decaying wood, beginning with the leaves, and are even supported by manure and dirt.

For millennia, people have used mushrooms for a variety of purposes. Since prehistoric times, indigenous tribes living in forests have used mushrooms in their meals. However, not all varieties of mushrooms are edible. White, light brown, grey, and dark brown mushrooms are generally considered edible. Some species contain toxic compounds (such as alpha-amanitin, orellanine, and others) that can be lethal if consumed. The mushrooms we eat are mainly grown commercially. Mushrooms are also linked to a variety of cultural festivals and rituals. For a long time, the Chinese have used mushrooms to make various remedies. Mushrooms are even mentioned in the works of the Mayans and Incas. Mushrooms were once commonly used for dyeing, whether it was wool or silk.