Foraging for Mushrooms

Words & Photography
by Lean Timms







For the first time I considered the seasons that mushrooms grew, I was introduced to many types of inedible varieties and searched high and low for the edible ones. In the pacific north west, I ordered every dish I could that vehicled chanterelles, because for the first time, they were available to me and for the first time, I was in a part of the world where they grew - wild!

Learning about, seeing and discovering food at it's most basic form, discovering where it comes from, how it grows...

I can honestly say that it is experiences like these that make me feel excitement flutters the way I did before ballet class as a child. Walking through the woods to forage for edible mushrooms was the most exciting food related experience that I have had, most probably, ever. Learning about, seeing and discovering food at it's most basic form, discovering where it comes from, how it grows and knowing it's seasonal routine - oh! This is such happiness for me. Real, honest happiness.