Top 10 Books about Mushrooms & Foraging

by Heather Saulsbury September 22, 2023

Books about mushrooms & foraging are your secret gateway to a world of hidden culinary treasures.

Most individuals are at a loss when it comes to beginning their journey into mushroom hunting. And who can blame them?

Mushroom hunting isn't just a walk in the park—it's an adventure filled with both risks and rewards.

But here's the kicker: With the right knowledge from books about mushrooms & foraging, you can transform this intimidating endeavor into an exciting hobby that brings nature’s bounty straight to your table.

Disclosure

At PNWBUSHCRAFT, we prioritize bringing you the best recommendations for your outdoor adventures.

However, for safety reasons, we highly recommend to mushroom hunt with someone who has experience in identifying species. There are a great deal of look alike mushrooms and a lot of different factors to consider to properly identify mushrooms. A second opinion on identifying mushrooms is always a great idea.

While our suggestions are largely influenced by the numerous positive reviews these books have garnered on Amazon, it's important to mention that we haven't had the opportunity to personally read and test all of them. Nevertheless, we believe the collective voice of the Amazon community serves as a reliable guide for your outdoor & foraging needs.

Also, this post contains affiliate links, which means we make a small commission when a purchase is made after clicking through a link. This comes at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!

The Art of Mushroom Foraging

Imagine yourself deep in the heart of nature, with a basket in one hand and an adventurous spirit guiding your steps. You're not just on any ordinary hike; you’re embarking on a thrilling hunt for edible treasures—mushrooms.

Of course, this exciting activity carries its own set of challenges. The world beneath our feet is teeming with countless mushroom species, some deliciously edible and others dangerously toxic.

The Importance of Proper Identification

Mushroom identification plays a pivotal role when it comes to foraging safely. In fact, many dangerous varieties bear uncanny resemblances to their harmless counterparts, making accurate identification paramount.

A trusty field guide can be invaluable here, offering detailed descriptions along with clear images that aid differentiation between various species. The National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mushrooms, for instance, provides comprehensive information about native North American mushrooms, including poisonous look-alikes. These guides serve as essential tools, ensuring safety during your outdoor adventures.

In addition, using aids designed specifically for mushroom hunting like the Mushroom Foraging Pouch from PNWBUSHCRAFT, which we've handcrafted from quality materials sourced within the U.S., enhances both the experience and safety while out exploring western mushrooms or other regional specialties.

Moreover, this pouch features a mesh bottom that allows harvested mushroom spores to disperse as you carry your bounty. This ingenious design promotes the growth of new mushrooms and contributes to the sustainability of cherished foraging locations, making it an excellent resource for those invested in responsible foraging practices.

Essential Books for Mushroom Hunters

Thankfully, there are numerous comprehensive resources available to assist when it comes to learning how to accurately identify mushrooms.

1. The Complete Mushroom Hunter - An Illustrated Guide to Finding, Harvesting, and Enjoying Wild Mushrooms

If you're starting your journey into the wild and wonderful world of mushrooms, The Complete Mushroom Hunter by mushroom guru Gary Lincoff should be your first stop. This book serves as an illustrated guide to identifying different species with ease and confidence.

From common wild edible mushrooms to poisonous ones, this field guide is an essential reading reference—like having a seasoned mushroom hunter by your side.

2. All That the Rain Promises and More - A Hip Pocket Guide to Western Mushrooms

All That the Rain Promises and More is an essential guide for mushroom enthusiasts. Authored by American mycologist David Arora, this comprehensive guide filled with full-color photographs can help you identify over 200 Western mushrooms. This handy pocket guide appeals to all kinds of people, whether they are interested in edible, poisonous, or medicinal mushrooms.

Aside from containing color photos, this excellent book also has key features to help readers effortlessly identify different types of fungi. Celebrating the fun in fungi, it’s one of the most popular field guides available today.

3. Mushrooming Without Fear - The Beginner's Guide to Collecting Safe and Delicious Mushrooms

Dipping your toes into the vast ocean of mycology might seem overwhelming at first glance, but that’s where the foraging book Mushrooming Without Fear by Alexander Schwab comes into play. This is a great book specifically designed for beginners as it simplifies complex concepts, making them easy to understand while ensuring safety during foraging adventures.

4. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mushrooms

No list would be complete without mentioning the National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mushrooms. Focusing on native species across various regions in America, it becomes an indispensable resource for any experienced or amateur mycologists based here.

5. Mushrooms of the Northwest: A Simple Guide to Common Mushrooms

Mushrooms of the Northwest is a region-specific book that serves as a great visual guide for mushroom enthusiasts who live in the Northwest region of the U.S. Written by Teresa Marrone and Drew Parker, this guide introduces readers to over 400 species of common mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest (Idaho, Oregon, and Washington state).

This accessible yet detailed guide utilizes an innovative, user-friendly format with hundreds of full-color photographs and easy-to-understand texts to help identify mushrooms in this region by their visual characteristics.

From Foraging to Growing to Feasting: Edible Wild Mushrooms

Of course, the thrill of mushroom foraging doesn't stop at the discovery. It's just as much about bringing your edible finds back home and transforming them into a mouth-watering feast!

6. Edible Wild Mushrooms of North America - A Field-to-kitchen Guide

Mushroom hunting is all fun and games until you can't tell an edible from a potentially harmful one. That's where comprehensive guides come in handy, like the Edible Wild Mushrooms of North America guide. This book by David W. Fischer and Alan Bessette not only helps identify mushrooms, but also provides insights into their habitats, seasonality, and cooking properties. A solid understanding of these factors can really boost your confidence when it comes to enjoying edible fungi safely.

7. The Wild Mushroom Cookbook - Recipes from Mendocino

Beyond identification books are those that marry foraging with culinary arts by providing recipes specifically designed for wild mushrooms. Take Mary Winslow and Alison Gardner's The Wild Mushroom Cookbook, for instance. This gem offers unique ways to cook up forest bounty while ensuring each dish highlights the distinct flavors of different species.

8. Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms

Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms is an authoritative guide by renowned mycologist Paul Stamets. This resource offers detailed insights into the cultivation of the top edibles and medicinal fungi, providing both home growers and commercial cultivators with updated techniques and growth parameters for 31 different mushroom species.

With over 500 photographs and diagrams, this book is a treasure trove of information, presenting history, folklore, scientific facts, and Stamets' own extensive first hand experience. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned grower, this book is an invaluable tool in your wild edibles cultivation journey.

Advanced Mushroom Hunting - Rare Species & Morels

In the world of mushroom foraging, morel mushrooms are like the elusive white whale. Known for their distinctive honeycomb appearance and unique flavor, they're a rare find that sends seasoned hunters into fits of joy.

9. The Thrill of Finding Morels

Finding morels isn't just about luck; it's also about understanding where these little gems hide out. They love to pop up in springtime after forest fires or heavy rainfall.

To make this quest less daunting, you can arm yourself with books like A Morel Hunter's Companion by Nancy Smith Weber and James A. Weber. This is one of the best books that cover everything from identifying different types of morels to decoding their growth patterns.

If you've got some experience under your belt already with common species like chanterelles or porcini, then chasing after morels could be the next big step on your mushroom-hunting journey. Just remember: always prioritize safety over excitement when dealing with wild mushrooms.

10. Ascomycete Fungi of North America: A Mushroom Reference Guide

Another must-read book that has great information about prized mushrooms is Ascomycete Fungi of North America. This excellent resource explores the fascinating world of Ascomycetes, a phylum that constitutes about 75% of all described fungi.

This book, authored by Michael Beug, Alan E. Bessette and Arleen R. Bessette, highlights the remarkable biodiversity of Ascomycetes, which are commonly found and collected by mushroom enthusiasts. It provides detailed information on approximately 1,600-2,000 species, from the prized black truffles to parasitic fungi like Taphrina occidentalis.

This reference guide bridges the gap between technical publications and general mushroom field guides, making it an invaluable resource for both seasoned and beginner foragers.

Conclusion

Foraging for mushrooms is more than just a hobby—it's an adventure that forms a unique bond with nature and delivers culinary treasures straight from the wild to your table.

Yes, there are inherent risks, but with the right knowledge and gear, these can be significantly mitigated.

Books about mushrooms and foraging serve not merely as guides but as portals into this enthralling universe of edible wilderness. They provide invaluable insights, safety tips, and identification techniques to ensure a safe and rewarding foraging experience.

And let's not forget about the practical side of things—having a reliable foraging pouch. The handcrafted Mushroom Foraging Pouch from PNWBUSHCRAFT is an excellent companion for your foraging expeditions.

Plus, its mesh bottom design allows harvested mushroom spores to spread while you carry your haul, promoting sustainability and the growth of new mushrooms in your favorite foraging spots.

In essence, the combination of a good read from this list of foraging books and a dependable handcrafted pouch equips you for memorable and safe mushroom foraging adventures.

Happy foraging!