Mycologist warns: do not collect old mushrooms – they are unfit for consumption
During dry spells when mushrooms are scarce, people sometimes pick old or damaged specimens, but they can cause digestive upset. Additionally, mushrooms should not be collected or transported in plastic bags as they spoil quickly in such packaging.
In an interview on Latvijas Radio’s programme "How to Live Better", Diana Meiere, a mycologist at the Latvian National Museum of Nature, advised against collecting old or damaged mushrooms, especially during dry periods when fungi are scarce. Such mushrooms may lead to gastrointestinal discomfort if eaten.
She also warned that mushrooms should not be gathered or carried in plastic bags. The lack of air circulation inside plastic accelerates spoilage, rendering the mushrooms inedible. Instead, she recommends using baskets or paper bags, which allow the mushrooms to breathe and stay fresh longer.
