The Mushroom Man

Mycological musings from the longtime professional forager, founder of No Taste Like Home foraging tours, and selfdubbed ‘philosoforager’

On riches in plain sight: I was always into treasure hunting. Treasure is usually prized because it’s difficult to obtain because it’s rare and/or hidden. Wild foods, at least the common ones I focus on, are none of those things, yet they are even more of a treasure, much for the opposite reasons. I run an education company now, and no one is turned away for lack of funds, and still, most of our clientele are rich. When it comes to wild food, this richness is a state of mind.

On lessons from mushrooms: Over the years, I’ve come to recognize that what’s most valuable about mushrooms is the lesson they conceal. They are just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak, of a fungus that, in some cases, can spread out for more than a mile in a single inch of soil. The connections that are forged, through fungi, between trees function as a “wood-wide web” for the exchange of not only information but also energy. Plants literally contribute nutrients to each other, including other species. When one tree is sick, the others help out. This form of universal health care, which is also how hunter-gatherers operate, has a lot to teach us.

On safety: An old saying is that every mushroom is edible—once. Most people think the lesson is, “When in doubt, throw it out.” But I say, “When in doubt, ask about.” This is another way of expressing a proverb that is well known in Zambia: “The one who asks is the one who does not get poisoned by a mushroom.” Anyone can start foraging safely today—if they use a field guide. A field guide has two legs. Like Plautus says, “None are wise enough alone.”

On found rewards: Above all, foraging helps me to be less afraid. Not only does this heal the effects of chronic anxiety and prevent degenerative disease, but it also allows me to be more loving, more supportive, and accepting of others. Quite simply, a rich person can afford to be generous. •

Location: Asheville, N.C.

Business Name: No Taste Like Home

Favorite Spring Edibles: The flavor of Japanese knotweed “is very similar to rhubarb and it can be used the same way. I love that knotweed is considered one of the most noxious, invasive weeds, yet I believe such weeds come in to heal the wounds we’ve inflicted. It has also been found to be a potent antimicrobial, particularly for COVID-19 and Lyme disease.”