Huge thanks to Jeremiah & Paul of Elevated Mushrooms for taking me on a successful Amanita muscaria hunt this fall – total dream come true!
A few weeks ago, Paul and Jeremiah of Elevated Mushrooms invited me to join them on an Amanita muscaria hunt. They go multiple times each year to collect these iconic red-and-white mushrooms to use in their natural remedy tincture for pain relief. I had been wanting to forage these for quite some time, so I immediately jumped at the chance.
From the moment we set out, their enthusiasm for fungi was contagious, sharing fascinating insights about different mushroom species, their preferred habitats, and the subtle clues that help experienced foragers spot them.
We stumbled upon clusters of Honey mushrooms (below left) immediately – a delicious edible species when harvested young. We also excitedly came across a few Amanita pantherina (below right), a close relative of the muscaria and known to be even more potent.
Jeremiah and Paul moved through the forest with ease, spotting Amanita muscaria after Amanita muscaria, their sacks quickly filling with those legendary red caps.
It took me a while to find my first one, but when I finally did, I was absolutely elated -the kind of joy that had me giddy. Jeremiah was nearby and graciously ran over to share in my excitement.
Over the course of the day, I discovered two more, each one feeling like a small miracle. Both Jeremiah and Paul celebrated the finds with me, sharing in that thrill only fellow foragers truly understand and snapping photos to help capture the moment.
One of the most fascinating finds were two Lobster mushrooms (below) that Paul spotted – an edible parasitic fungus that transforms other mushrooms (in both of these cases, a Russula) into its vibrant orange form. Back at the farm, Paul worked his magic in the pan, sautéing it with butter, garlic, salt & pepper. The result? Rich, savory, and bursting with wild, earthy flavor. Absolutely delish!
By the end of the day, we’d gathered a rewarding haul of Amanitas – a moment that felt both triumphant and humbling. I may have only found three myself, but the experience was nothing short of exhilarating. I walked away with more than just mushrooms; I left with a deeper appreciation for these remarkable fungi and for the people who devote their time to understanding them.
A huge thank you to Paul and Jeremiah for sharing their knowledge, passion, lobster mushrooms, and good company. Adventures like this are rare, and I feel truly grateful to have been a part of it.
Instagram post here. 🍄🌿
