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Autumn Magic

Autumn leafs in the Thuringian Forest

Mushroom picking in the Thuringian Forest

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When the nights grow cooler and the clouds promise rainy days, a very special time of year begins in the Thuringian Forest: mushroom season. Off the beaten track, beneath the firs and spruces, you’ll spot rather tight-lipped forest lovers with baskets and knives in hand: the mushroom hunters. Their autumn walks don’t just add something tasty to the Sunday roast. They also draw on a very special kind of knowledge, passed down from parents to children: which mushrooms are edible, and which are best left in the forest. Many families guard their favourite mushroom spots like buried treasure.

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Porcini and bay boletes: the most popular wild mushrooms

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Top of the list is the porcini, closely followed by the bay bolete, chanterelle, orange birch bolete and birch bolete. By the way, porcini, chanterelles and some others are protected species. So only pick as much as you can eat yourself (a guideline is 1 to 2 kg per person per day), so that the forest can work its magic again next year. Otherwise, you may get a fine from the mushroom police (no joke!).

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From forest to plate

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Unfortunately, there’s no simple rule for spotting poisonous mushrooms. Beginners should avoid mushrooms with white gills and a bulbous stem base, and only pick those they can identify with absolute certainty. If in doubt, the region’s volunteer mushroom experts can help. The nearest are in Floh-Seligenthal and Brotterode-Trusetal (contact details at tham-thueringen.de). If you’re unsure, simply enjoy the sight and buy your mushrooms at the supermarket.

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If you suspect mushroom poisoning, call the emergency number 112 or the Erfurt poison information centre on +49 361 730730.

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