How To Tell If The Mushrooms Are Good

Instructions

1. Contrary to the common belief, most mushrooms are not poisonous.
2. Few mushrooms are extremely poisonous; a large number are slightly poisonous; and a great number can be used as food.
3. Unfortunately, there is no reliable test to distinguish poisonous from edible mushrooms.
4. The well known silver coin test is unreliable, as both poisonous and edible mushrooms have the same reaction on the silver.
5. Another test commonly practiced consists of peeling off the upper skin from a mushroom.
6. If this can be done, the mushroom is considered edible.
7. Poisonous mushrooms, however, can be peeled in the same manner.
8. In trying to distinguish poisonous from non-poisonous mushrooms, there are a few suggestions which can be followed.
9. If these suggestions are adhered to, there is small chance of poisoning.
10. In selecting mushrooms:
11. Avoid all mushrooms in the "button" or young stage.
12. At this time of their growth, it is impossible to determine good mushrooms from bad ones.
13. Avoid mushrooms with pores on the under side of the cap.
14. Avoid mushrooms which have white spores, a ring, and a bulblike base all on the same mushroom.
15. Avoid mushrooms having a white, milky juice.
16. If milk or juice is red, the mushrooms are edible.
17. Avoid mushrooms having a cap which is thin in comparison with the gills.
18. Avoid mushrooms of a bright color and in which the gills are of equal length.
19. Avoid mushrooms which are not strictly fresh.
20. Decay greatly increases the production of poisonous substances.