Edible Mushrooms in the UK FAQ

Mushroom foraging

Spending a couple of hours foraging for mushrooms is fun and rewarding, but stick to the rule that if you are not absolutely certain of a mushroom’s identity, then do not pick it or consume it. It’s best to cook all wild mushrooms before eating as only a few are safe to eat raw. Ensure you only pick where you can leave plenty for wildlife and always avoid picking any rare, protected fungi.

Spending a couple of hours foraging for mushrooms is fun and rewarding, but stick to the rule that if you are not absolutely certain of a mushroom’s identity, then do not pick it or consume it. It’s best to cook all wild mushrooms before eating as only a few are safe to eat raw. Ensure you only pick where you can leave plenty for wildlife and always avoid picking any rare, protected fungi.

The simple rules to follow to avoid poisonous mushrooms in this family is these spongy pores are yellow, cream or white and there is no red on the stem or cap. Once this is established you should cut into the mushroom, and if it does not turn blue it is good to eat!

All wild plants are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981). It is illegal to dig up or remove a plant (including algae, lichens and fungi) from the land on which it is growing without permission from the landowner or occupier.

Mushroom identification is a challenge, so it’s better to stick to the supermarket if you’re not sure when it comes to foraged mushrooms.
  • Bay bolete (Imleria badia) …
  • Beefsteak fungus (Fistulina hepatica) …
  • Charcoal burner (Russula cyanoxantha) …
  • Field mushroom (Agaricus campestris) …
  • Penny bun (Boletus edulis)

Wild mushroom picking tips

  • Don’t collect too much. Other species eat mushrooms too and they play an important ecological role. Some of our woods are sadly being over picked for wild mushrooms. Picking for commercial use is not allowed in any of our woods. On some sites we prefer you not to pick for personal use either. Always check before you go out.
  • Know what you’re picking – edible mushrooms can be confused with poisonous ones.
  • Mushroom identification takes skill and practice – get a great ID book specifically for fungi.
  • Choose species that aren’t easy to mix up with poisonous fungi – like the ones mentioned in this blog.
  • Check whether any special cooking or handling is required.
  • If you’re in any doubt confirm the identity with an expert or don’t eat them.
  • Don’t eat lots of new species all at once – even if you know what they are. Some people can be sensitive or have allergies.
  • Don’t rely on common names – sometimes the same common name can refer to many different species.
  • Follow our sustainable foraging guidelines.

Some UK mushrooms are easy to identify so quite safe to eat, the Giant Puffball, Beefsteak Fungus, Porcelain Fungus, Cauliflower Fungus, Dryads Saddle, Hedgehog Fungus, if you are very lucky the Truffle, Wood Ears (as long as they are growing on elder) and Chicken of the Woods (as long as it is not growing on a Yew tree). So for the novice forager, these are the ones to go for, there are no dangerous lookalikes, so just learn what these mushrooms look like and you should be able to forage for them safely.

There are many different ways to identify a mushroom and all should be employed when out foraging.

  1. Where is the mushroom growing, in grassland or woods, and what kind of tree they are growing on or under?
  2. Are the mushrooms growing singly or in a ring, troop, or tuft?
  3. Do the mushrooms have a distinct smell?
  4. Does the mushroom change color when cut or bruised?
  5. What is the size, shape, texture, and color of the cap?
  6. What is the size, shape, and texture of the stem? Does it have a ring/skirt and are there any markings on it? Is the base bulbous or sack like or narrow and rooting?
  7. Does the mushroom have gills, pores or spikes under the cap? If it has gills how close are they? Do they fork? Are they attached to the stem? Are they brittle or soft and pliable?
  8. What texture is the flesh?
  9. What time of year is it?

Always check with a few different guides/pictures as mushrooms can look very different depending on where they are growing, their age and what the weather has thrown at them.

Spending a couple of hours foraging for mushrooms is fun and rewarding, but stick to the rule that if you are not absolutely certain of a mushroom’s identity, then do not pick it or consume it. It’s best to cook all wild mushrooms before eating as only a few are safe to eat raw.

Buy mushroom field guides and foraging books on Amazon

The safest wild mushrooms to eat in the UK are those that have no poisonous lookalikes. Some of these mushrooms include:

  • Giant puffball: This mushroom is white and has a smooth, round cap. It is the safest mushroom to eat in the UK, as there is no poisonous lookalike.
  • Beefsteak fungus: This mushroom has a red, smooth cap and a thick, fleshy stem. It is also edible and has no poisonous lookalikes.
  • Porcelain fungus: This mushroom is white and has a smooth, cup-shaped cap. It is also edible and has no poisonous lookalikes.
  • Cauliflower fungus: This mushroom has a white, cauliflower-like head. It is also edible and has no poisonous lookalikes.
  • Dryads saddle: This mushroom has a large, shelf-like cap. It is also edible and has no poisonous lookalikes.
  • Hedgehog fungus: This mushroom has a white, hedgehog-like appearance. It is also edible and has no poisonous lookalikes.
  • Truffle: This mushroom is a delicacy, but it is also very difficult to find. There are several types of truffles that grow in the UK, but they all have poisonous lookalikes, so it is important to be very careful when identifying them.
  • Wood ears: This mushroom has a fan-shaped cap and grows on trees. It is edible and has no poisonous lookalikes, but it is important to make sure that it is growing on an elder tree, as wood ears that grow on other trees can be poisonous.
  • Chicken of the woods: This mushroom has a bright orange or yellow color and grows on dead or dying trees. It is edible and has no poisonous lookalikes, but it is important to make sure that it is not growing on a yew tree, as chicken of the woods that grow on yew trees can be poisonous.
  • Scarlet elf cups (Sarcoscypha coccinea): Mystical and cheery, the scarlet elf cup grows on decaying sticks and branches in damp spots and beneath leaf litter on the woodland floor.
  • Cauliflower fungus (Sparassis crispa): They may not appear every year, but they will likely appear multiple times as long as the tree roots can provide nutrients. Cauliflower fungus species range in color from creamy white to yellowish-gray to light yellow-brown. Most grow as overlapping lasagna noodle-looking balls, but some have a bit more structure.
  • Field blewits (Lepista personata): Field blewits are generally regarded as edible, but they are known to cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
  • Porcini (Boletus edulis): They are collected from forests, so they can be rare to find and expensive to buy. You can eat bolete mushrooms fresh, dried, or pickled
  • Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus): There are around 40 types of oyster mushrooms, including Pleurotus ostreatus (or P. ostreatus), commonly known as the American oyster mushroom. All types are edible and are commonly enjoyed in dishes like pasta and stir-fries

It is important to note that even these mushrooms can be poisonous if they are not eaten properly. It is always best to consult with an expert before eating wild mushrooms.

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