The first mushroom hunters are already out and about in Tölzer Land. But the experts agree: The yield this year is likely to be lower than last year.
Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen - Mushroom lovers are already romping about in the local forests - always looking for one or the other culinary delicacy. Due to the unfavorable weather conditions, the mushroom season will probably not really start for a few weeks. At least that's what Edmund Garnweidner says. The 78-year-old headed the Munich mushroom advisory service for a long time and gives lectures at the Center for Environment and Culture in Benediktbeuern. Garnweidner has written numerous books on the subject, but sees himself more as a botanist than a mycologist (mushroom expert).
How this year's yield will turn out - he does not want to give a forecast yet. However, the weather conditions with a lot of rain and great heat were not ideal. “Mushrooms need even moisture penetration. Heat is more of a damaging factor, ”says the expert. The summers tend to get hotter and drier. “This means that the season is postponed.” Garnweidner does not expect the actual start to begin until mid-September.
Mushroom collector Peter Pachler from Bad Tölz has already found what he is looking for
But even before that, you can find some delicacies. Peter Pachler (71) proves this. The passionate mushroom hunter from Bad Tölz has already collected more than five kilograms in the past few months, as he reports. Florian Funk (51), Tölz ice hockey trainer and hobby mushroom picker is also on the way. He only discovered this passion a few years ago, he says. When Funk goes looking for mushrooms, he usually does it in the mountains. "For me, collecting is more of a pastime while hiking." For this year, he does not expect such a large harvest as last year, when there were "extremely many mushrooms". He even hopes a little that not so many mushrooms will pop up this year. Due to the corona, "nature has been overpopulated since April". A rich fungal growth could lead to an even bigger onslaught, Funk fears.
For those looking to find wild mushrooms on their own, Hobby Collector Pachler has a few pieces of advice. The most important thing is to only “take the mushrooms with you that you know for sure”. Sometimes there is a risk of confusion between some edible and poisonous or inedible species. Garnweidner also warns of this danger. To some extent, death cap mushrooms are mistaken for mushrooms or boletus bile for boletus. You can prevent this very well if you know “the botanical characteristics” of the species. Garnweidner advises collectors to look out for boletus mushrooms, chanterelles and chestnut boletus. These species are most widespread here.
Mushroom picking is prohibited in nature reserves
In addition, the collection of many other types of mushrooms is not permitted under the Federal Nature Conservation Act, as confirmed by the Tölzer District Office. Exceptions are, for example, porcini mushrooms, chanterelles, red caps and morels. These may be taken in small quantities for personal use. In fact, mushroom picking is prohibited in nature reserves and national parks. For the commercial collection of mushrooms - for sale or in larger quantities - a special permit from the nature conservation authority is required. In any case, Pachler believes that you should only collect as many mushrooms as you can use - and use them immediately. He knows numerous ways to do this: from homemade mushroom sauce to breaded mushrooms to a boletus carppaccio. Pachler also recommends drying some mushrooms. "This is how you get through the winter well."
Information: Help can be found at the Pilz advice center in Munich (Pasinger Rathaus) on 089/23 34 64 85. It is open every Monday from 8.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. until October 12th. Franziska Selter
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