Finns vote for Matsusake

I know that you like me to keep you up to speed with what is happening internationally in the mushroom world. So, hot off the press, I can tell you that the Arctic Flavours Association in Finland has just voted the Matsutake mushroom as its mushroom of the year.

The Matsutake is a difficult wild mushroom to cultivate. Whilst it grows in dry forests it needs a rainy summer to prosper.

Apparently there is something of a foraging frenzy in Finland at the moment after a surge in numbers thanks to the awful summer that Finland has endured. And, because the Matsusake is highly prized - and highly priced - in Japan, pickers are experiencing something of a cash bonanza.

Each of the mushrooms flown to Japan receives special treatment and care. They must not be cut with a knife: the mushrooms are picked individually and whole, with gloved hands, to prevent the surface of the Matsutake being contaminated with oil from human skin. Finally, toothbrushes are used to clean the fungi, which must reach the Japanese kitchen within three days of being picked in the north of Finland.

I'm sure you feel better for having this information

Mad about Mushrooms

I know that we're Wild About Mushrooms but we're not the only people who love their wild mushrooms.

In fact, flicking through copies of my mushroom correspondence I've discovered that there's a whole world out there dedicated to the celebration of the mushroom. Indeed, as we speak, plans are under way for the launch of The Mushroom Festival in Pennsylvania on September 8th and 9th. This two day event includes tastings, demonstrations, foraging expeditions - and a whole load of other activities designed to celbrate our favourite super food!

But whilst our American friends certainly like their mushrooms (we already have our invite for the 48th Annual National Morel Mushroom Festival in Michigan and the Texas Mushroom Festival in October), closer to home you can visit the Aberfoyle Mushroom Festival which takes place from October 21st to 24th.

During the Festival, you can be be taken on Fungus Forays by experts, whilst there will be cooking demonstrations and a display domestic and exotic mushrooms.

For reasons I've yet to fathom, other events during the Festival include a Czech themed dinner and dance, two dog shows to which the general public can bring their dogs, Jacobite street theatre, a craft fair, a candlelight walk and fiddlers’ rally, a charity golf match and a football match between a Falkirk FC Select and local team, Aberfoyle Rob Roy, a Tea Dance, a Duck Derby, and an Afro-Caribbean Salsa Barbeque!

You see? It's not just us who are Wild About Mushrooms!!

New Recipe of the Month!

Just perfect for what's left of the summer - our tasty new wild mushroom recipe of the month - see the sidebar for Nathan’s Healthy Wild Mushroom and Roasted Vegetable salad.

For an archive of our recipes, visit http://themushroommanrecipes.blogspot.com/

Wild mushrooms for snacks!

I've been away for a little R & R - and whilst patrolling foreign climes, mushrooms are never far from my mind.

France is a great place to find and eat wild mushrooms - but imagine my surprise when I came across these Wild Mushroom crisps!!

Let me tell you - these go great with a pint of Guinness!

Must have a word with my boss at Wild About Mushrooms - might even get a fiver from the staff suggestion scheme!

Wild Mushroom kills entire family!

Well we all know the danger of eating the wrong kind of mushroom but sometimes the danger is driven home in particularly tragic circumstances.

Fortunately, fatalities from eating dodgy fungus are rare in this country, but the Nepal News yesterday reported that five members of a family in the Argakachi district died after eating wild mushrooms brought in from the jungle.

Three of the family died immediately after eating the mushroom after cooking it, whilst the remaining two died later in hospital.

Join in the great vote!!

A few of us at Wild About Mushrooms got into a bit of a flap over coffee yesterday morning.

It all started when the boss told us that we'd taken delivery of the new season's chanterelle - a lovely wild mushroom and certainly up there amongst my favourites - when Nathan started putting up a passionate defence of the cep. Then Thommo waded in and said that the cep couldn't hold a light to the Black Fungus - and that was it! World War III broke out!

So, there's only one way to sort this out!

You decide - and vote on your favourite Wild Mushroom.

See our poll to the right - and when you've voted, you'll see the results.

And perhaps we'll settle this once and for all!

PS Vote for the chanterelle!

Mushrooms? Difficult?

I came across an article from a chap who claims that mushrooms are difficult to match with wine - not cooking them in it – but pairing with a wine to accompany it.

This is what he says:

"The general rule when it comes to matching a wine with your mushroom is based on how they are cooked i.e. what the sauces and spices are. French cuisine advocates that “less is more” so in other words keep it simple and you will be able to taste the flavour of the mushrooms.

Using mushrooms in hearty casseroles such as Coq au Vin or stews and soups with red meat suggests a terroir driven red. Clarets in particular go well with these types of dishes – and especially the heavier textured mushrooms like Chanterelles, Portobello, Porcini and Morels. The earthy Cabernet Francs, Merlots and Cabernet Sauvignons are ideal.

If you are making a light dish, maybe using a creamy sauce then Sauvignon Blancs are the best choice. Mushrooms with delicate flavours such as Oyster, Enokis and Lobster need a Sauvignon Blanc or an un oaked Chardonnay.

Some mushrooms have a spicy clean taste like the Matsukate and I’d recommend a sparkling Cremant to pair with these – it handles the exotic spiciness really well."

Now it isn't for me to suggest that the bloke is talking pretentious twaddle - but in the twenty years I've been eating God's Favourite Food, I've found one perfect accompaniment to the mushroom.

A pint of Guinness!

Honestly, some people!