Forager finds enormous 5kg mushroom to feed family for whole week

A giant mushroom has fed a family for a week after its finder stumbled across it while out for a walk.

Alissimon Minnitt was walking with her dad near North Marston, in Buckinghamshire, when she spotted the giant puffball mushroom.

From across the field, the 27-year-old initially thought it was fly-tipped waste. But on closer inspection she discovered it was actually an 11 lb (5kg) fungus.

And after carrying it back to her parents' home, where she was staying, the delicacy helped keep everyone fed for days, including a mushroom-base pizza and a mushroom 'roast'.

"I was so shocked when I realised it was a mushroom," said Alissimon, a musician based in Chesham, Buckinghamshire.

"It honestly was about twice the size of my head. It was a freaky coincidence as well because my dad and I were just talking about another mushroom we'd found in the area seven years ago while on our walk.

"And then there was just another massive one right there."

She added: "I was surprised by how much we were able to get out of it. The mushroom roast my mum made was so good so I took some of it home frozen.

"It's continued to keep me fed for a further month, though I'll only have it a couple times a week."

Minnitt isn't the only walker to stumble across a giant puffball.

In 2016, Fiona Wishart, a ranger with Falkirk Council, found a 10.6kg mushroom as she did her rounds in central Scotland.

Which wild mushrooms in the UK are edible?

Mushroom foraging can be a great way to have some fun and find something delicious for your dinner.

But it's also not without its risk – while some will make a satisfying tea, others will just leave you sick.

The following are relatively easy to spot and should be safe to consumer, but we still recommend checking with an expert to make sure.

Chicken of the Woods – Laetiporos sulphureas

This bright orange and yellow fungus grows on trees and can often produce a bumper haul for keen-eyed spotters – some hunters have reported collecting up to 300kg at a time.

As the name suggests, many eaters says it has a similar taste and texture to chicken and tends to retain a firm texture once cooked.

However, some people also report adverse affects when eating it, including nausea and dizziness, particularly when it is found on certain trees, so it is recommended to just try a small piece before committing to a whole meal.

Giant puffball – Calvatia gigantea syn. Langermannia gigantead

Considered a rare find by many mushroom hunters, the giant puffball rewards the patient forager with plenty of food.

Usually found in open grassy fields and never growing on wood they can be harvested easily by simply pulling them up from the ground.

However, while quite distinctive in their own right, there is also a chance they can be confused with the poisonous Amanita, so should be checked thoroughly before eating.

Porcini or cep – Boletus edulus

Usually found in forests, porcinis have a cap that looks like a crusty roll and can often produce a bumper crop, which is helpful, as this variety is also known for being dried to preserve for use throughout the year.

However, care must be taken to avoid poisonous varieties, while even safe-to-eat mushrooms can be prone to maggot infestations.

Is mushroom foraging legal in the UK?

In England and Wales, the short answer is yes – but there are a few rules to bear in mind before you head out.

First, it is illegal to collect any wild plant or fungi for commercial purposes without the permission of the landowner.

Foraging for personal use is acceptable in itself, but if you are trespassing without permission on the land, you can be told to leave.

Also make sure you check any local bylaws or regulations in place. In 2023, the City of London Corporation banned mushroom foraging in Epping Forest due to concerns about the impact on the area's ecosystem.

However, it is also illegal to collect wild plants and mushrooms for any purposes from designated sites, such as official national nature reserves (NNR) or sites of special scientific importance (SSSI).

Some species are also given special protections which make them illegal to uproot wherever they are found.

If you're unsure, best to leave it be, just in case.

In Scotland, 'right to roam' rules allow a more permissive approach to foraging, with most public and private land open for recreation, education and access, with only a few restrictions.