Mushroom Hunter's Tools: Cosmetic Brush

The Mushroom Hunter's Tools segment explores some common (and not so common) tools of the hobby. This week well brush up on a common tool used for cleaning.


When picking wild mushrooms for the table, the MH will often encounter all kinds of dirt and debris speckling their fungal finds. Of course, this debris will have to be removed before the mushrooms are prepared and cooked! But how? Many people unfamiliar with the handling of our often delicate friends may simply pick or rub this "dirt" off - that is if they don't simply dunk the whole thing in water.* (Not recommended btw . . .) However, as the MH is sure to know, some species are very delicate, making them difficult to clean without damaging them.


Enter the cosmetic brush! This tool excels at removing bits of debris from stalks, caps, and especially gills. Not convinced (or too manly) to purchase a cosmetic brush for your mushroom hunting tool kit? Here are some reasons why you should:

• Unlike a cloth (or your finger) a brush will not apply as much direct pressure to the body of the mushroom. This will result in less bruised or broken pieces and more mushrooms for the table.
• The individual bristles on the brush will get into cracks, folds, and gills much better than the surface of the cloth. This will often aleviate the need for running water to be used when cleaning the mushroom.
• If you purchase a retractable cosmetic brush (like those pictured above) it can be easily stored and carried with you on the hunt.
  

The best part about having a brush with you on a hunt is that you will have an opportunity to partially clean the mushrooms before they hit the chopping block at home. As you pick each specimen, lightly clean them before placing it into your basket. This could potentially save you hours of work if you are lucky enough to get a big haul.

Mushroom Hunter’s Tools: The Walking Stick

The Mushroom Hunter's Tools segment explores some common (and not so common) tools of the hobby. Let's take a look at what our bearded friend below has got in his hand . . .


Gandalf here has a good idea. Now, I’m not suggesting that the average mushroom hunter should invest in a magical staff to aid in the casting of spells (although more power to you if you can do it ;p). However, a walking stick can be a valuable tool for any MH that frequently hikes in the woods.

What are the advantages to having a walking stick?

• Having a walking stick can obviously help the MH keep his balance in situations where this would normally be very difficult. I can’t tell you how many times a trusty walking stick has saved me from a serious fall in my usual foraging spots.

• Using a walking stick to discretely poke around underbrush, leaves, and even mushrooms is an even more important reason to keep one with you. Having stumbled upon several Copperheads and Rattlesnakes (both types of snakes are common to my area), I can say that a walking stick has also saved me from a few snake bites and other hazards. You never know what can be lying below the leaves or even the next mushroom cap.

• They simply look cool. Who doesn’t want to think of themselves as the sagely mycologist as he scours the land for prize finds? . . . Ok maybe I’m the only one who thinks like that . . . ;p

MH walking sticks can come in many different makes, shapes, and sizes. I’ve seen and used everything from sticks I’ve found in the woods to four foot long metal poles (nicknamed the rocking stick) and everything in between. Some MHs I know have taken great care in carving and personalizing their walking stick. The stick becomes very symbolic, just like a MH’s basket. Exactly what you choose to help your hunting – if you use anything at all – is completely up to you.

Mushroom Hunter's Tools: Wax Paper

The Mushroom Hunter's Tools segment explores some common (and not so common) tools of the hobby. Today we'll feature one of the more common materials used safeguard our finds - wax paper.


In the last installment of Mushroom Hunter's tools we learned that a basket with sections can be useful when you need to separate different species of mushrooms. Well what if your container doesn't have sections or dividing features at all? Enter wax paper! This common kitchen amenity can solve much of the disorganization mushroom hunters often face by simply wrapping individual mushrooms or groups. What are the benefits of using wax paper?
Here are a few:

• As stated above wax paper can be used to separate mushrooms into either individuals or groups. This makes an accidental mix up very unlikely.
• The wax paper protects specimens from the jostling damage they would likely receive during your journey home. Incidentally this can also help your chances of getting an accurate spore print when you get home. (Nothing is more annoying than having to wait for a spore print that will never happen!)
  
• The paper can be written on, further organizing your growing collection. This becomes especially useful when you are collecting many different species.
• Wax paper is, by nature, a breathable material. Using this instead of something like a ziplock will insure that your mushrooms stay fresh till you can get them home to properly preserve or cook them. Read more about preventing premature mushroom decay here.
  

So whether you are looking to protect your finds from hiking damage or you are looking to better organize them, wax paper is a good place to start.

Mushroom Hunter's Tools: The Flat Bottom Basket

The Mushroom Hunter's Tools segment explores some common (and not so common) tools of the hobby. In this post we will take a look at one of the most basic tools in a hunter's tool belt - the flat bottom basket.



So you are romping through the woods and stumble upon the mother load of mushroom finds. After inspecting some individuals closely you find that they are none other than yellow morels. Great! . . . but how do you carry your lucky find home? Most seasoned mushroom hunters will agree that a flat bottomed basket is the container of choice. What's more, many hunters will, over time, become attached to their basket. The basket becomes more than just "what they carry mushrooms with" and becomes more symbolic - kind of like the knight's sword, so to speak. But enough of that hokey stuff . . .

So why do mushroom hunters like baskets so much?

• They are light, which can be a real boon when hiking during the late summer months.
• The are cheap - even the nicest basket will cost less than $10 and can be found at most hobby and craft stores.
  
• They can be easily replaced if they are damaged. (Se the above reason ;p)
• Their realitively open construction allows the mushrooms to breathe. This becomes extremely important when dealing with species that quickly decompose.
  

So what should the potential MH look for when choosing his Excalibur? Here are some things that both Travis and I look for in a basket:

• A wide and (obviously) flat bottom. This will allow you to keep many more specimens without having to stack them uneccisarily. Also, having a flat bottom will minimize rolling around. This can be a big help when heavy hiking can potentially mix specimens up.
  
• Sides that are at least 8'' tall. This will keep your find inside while keeping the overall size of the basket down.
• A short to medium sized handle. While those huge looping handles may be good for Easter baskets, a novice MH will soon realize that carrying your finds so low to the ground can be a real pain. Especially when an errant root or rock decides to trip you up!
• A non-solid make (like woven wicker) makes an ideal material for a MH's basket. This will allow the specimens to "breathe" while also allowing small particles of dirt and leaves pass through the cracks. A basket of solid make can prove hard to clean indeed!
• A basket that is separated into 2 or more sections can prove useful when trying to separate different species. This is especially important when trying new species/identifications for the first time.*
• A matter of personal taste: Personally I prefer a basket without a hinged handle (read as picnic basket). Others, however, may find hinged handles easier to deal with while hunting.
  

As you can probably tell, I believe that the image above is an example of a perfect basket. Of course, you may find that you prefer different features, or even a different medium altogether. If you have any tips or suggestions for holding your finds feel free to post a comment below and tell us about them!