Longevity SF Mushroom Foraging & Tasting
Longevity SF is excited to host a guided four-hour mushroom foraging experience. It will include introductory information such as: types of mushrooms, mushroom anatomy for identification, poisonous and edible mushrooms, tree identification and more. The program will conclude with a Q&A identification session where we determine what species we have found and whether they are edible. Then we will separate out the edibles, cook them up trailside (or you can take them home) and have a tasting.
I am told that it is an "an epic mushroom year" and that we will likely find chanterelle, hedgehog, black trumpet, and/or Yellowfoot. I (Christin) particularly love Black Trumpet so that's what I'm hoping for.
Longevity SF sustaining members or volunteers can use code "SUSTAIN" or "VOLUNTEER" for $30 off the ticket price. If you would like to join Longevity SF you can do so here: https://longevitygl.org/join/. If you are a basic member already and want to become a sustaining member for $120/yr ($60/yr for students), you can do so here: https://longevitygl.org/donations/longevity-sf-membership/.
More Details of the Mushroom Foraging Trip:
Transportation is not provided to and from the foray. We will set up some car pools ahead of time.
From our Guides:
Physical fitness requirements
We will be hiking off trail, with uneven terrain. All members of your party must be able to walk at least 3-5 miles in uneven terrain. While not required, the program will be best enjoyed if participants can bend and kneel down throughout the day as well as carry a basket, bag, or backpack.
Expertise
While we will do our best to correctly identify mushroom species, there are thousands of species and it will possible we will encounter species we can't identify, or may misidentify. Additionally, as much as we know about mushrooms, it's also possible that other hunters will have arrived before us, or that weather conditions will have dried up the mushroom production and that we will have a beautiful walk in the forest, but not be able to find edibles.
Consume at your own risk
While most people experience wild culinary mushrooms as a tasty treat, everyone has food allergies and eating wild mushrooms can cause food allergies in different people such as gas, stomach cramps, vomiting, hives, diarrhea, and in rare cases, can require hospitalization. The best practice is to eat a small amount of a new mushroom the first time a new species is consumed. Everyone in your party understands that if they choose to consume any wild mushrooms found on the mushroom foraging trip, they do so at their own risk.
Release of liability
Everyone in your party understands they will be required to sign a standard liability waiver the day of the event, and agrees not to hold foray guides liable should they experience any of the following: torn clothing, lost personal items, getting lost in the forest, getting injured, illness, exposure to COVID-19, getting sick from eating a wild mushroom, getting attacked by animals, getting ticketed by ranger or police, or death. While all of the above are necessary to mention, they are unlikely and mostly people who forage have a fun and rewarding experience. We are looking forward to showing your group a wonderful time!
Recommended things to bring:
Note: Though not all of the below are required, they are recommended for the most comfortable experience given that it can be cold and wet! We will be going out even if it's raining.
● A fully charged phone and plastic or waterproof bag to put it in
● Good hiking shoes recently sprayed with waterproofing spray
● Warm layers that you don’t mind getting dirty (recommended: hat, water resistant gloves, jacket, wool socks, waterproof coat nd rain pants - especially the pants so you can kneel down without getting wet legs)
● A basket or canvas bag with a square bottom for collecting (Not recommended: paper bags, plastic bags, flat canvas bags)
● A small knife with a cover over it such as Mercer Culinary Non-Stick Paring Knives with ABS Sheaths, 4 Inch, or a butterfly or switchblade, or any knife you can safely put in your pocket and walk with.
● Walkie talkies (not required, but recommended as we likely won’t have reception)
● A camera phone or camera to photograph mushrooms and plants
● Snacks or lunch
● Water bottle and backpack or sling to carry it with
● Toilet paper with a plastic bag (you pack it out if we’re deep in the woods)
● A change of warm clothes and shoes to put on at the end if you get wet or dirty
● Hot tea thermos to help you warm up