Mushroom identification and picking course

The purpose of the course is to provide participants with a compact and intensive experience of local edible mushrooms in the Ivalo area. The course is designed especially for beginner mushroom foragers who want to learn how to identify edible mushroom species in the area and gain basic knowledge of mushroom foraging.

Course duration: 4h

Course program:

• Welcome and introduction to the course
• Presentation and instructions on mushroom foraging equipment
• Guided tour of the mushroom foraging area
• Mushroom collection and identification
• Distinguishing edible mushrooms from poisonous species
• Preparation and tasting of mushrooms
• Closing remarks and summary of the course

During the course, participants will acquire basic knowledge about the edible mushrooms in the Ivalo area and learn to identify the edible species in the region. The course also emphasizes the responsibility and ecological perspective of mushroom foraging, teaching participants how to collect mushrooms in a sustainable manner and preserve the health of the mushroom ecosystem.

Participants are required to bring suitable outdoor clothing and footwear, as well as their own mushroom foraging equipment such as a basket and a knife. Additionally, participants may bring their own mushroom books or field guides if they have any.

The goal of the course is to provide participants with their first steps into the world of edible mushrooms in the Ivalo area, share basic knowledge about mushrooms and their culinary uses, and foster an interest in biodiversity.

Instructor: Maire Puikko, experienced mushroom forager and mushroom educator.