The hot August took away the mushrooms, but suitable rains can still bring them back.
– I’ve been walking here for seven years, and I’ve never seen a forest so empty of mushrooms at the turn of August and September, says Korhonen.
The past summer and early autumn have been quite special when it comes to mushrooms. At the end of July, mushroom baskets were filled with delicious chanterelles in different parts of Finland.
The hot period in August stopped the mushroom season almost completely.
– There is still hope. When the water comes, the mushrooms still rise. Not in a day or two, but in a week from the rains, Jarkko Korhonen reminds.
September is the best mushroom month in southern and central Finland.
– Measured in milliliters, the rain has been quite reasonable in recent days. I think the mycelium is starting to flow and produce a crop. I just have to hope that the night frosts don’t come too early.
Lots of species, small quantities
Even though the forests are almost empty, a keen eye can find a fair amount of different mushroom species. However, they are small and inedible.
– For example, there have been a lot of bugs in terms of species. Finns should learn them. If you recognize the smell, you can do a taste test for it in the forest, but not in front of small children. You can mumble it and spit it out. If it doesn’t taste bitter, it’s worth using.
Jarkko Korhonen estimates that with suitable rains, the mushroom crop can still develop reasonably well. However, there are regional variations in mushrooms.
– For example, my favorite delicacy is a question mark – will it be able to produce anymore. In theory it is possible. Herkkutatati is very intense, and it can become a bunch even in a week.
The Finns’ favorite, rosus, normally doesn’t rise until the first half of September.
– I’m not worried about them. The weather forecast looks pretty good. Hopefully, however, the daytime temperatures will not go below 10 degrees, which could slow down the development of the crop.
Jarkko Korhonen estimates that the blackhorn mushroom crop may have been lost, but chanterelles and funnel-shaped wafers may be available until winter.
– It’s good to remember that you should always go to the forest. There you can get experiences for all the senses, as well as blueberries and lingonberries in addition to mushrooms.