- Wild Mushrooms: A Small Taste Is Not a Safe Test
Wild mushrooms are a good example of why tasting something to identify it can be dangerous.
Some wild mushroom species contain toxins that can cause serious illness, including liver or kidney damage. Certain poisonous varieties resemble edible mushrooms closely enough that inexperienced foragers may confuse them.
Cooking does not reliably make poisonous mushrooms safe. Nor can you determine whether a mushroom is edible by tasting a tiny piece.
The symptoms of mushroom poisoning vary according to the species and toxin involved. They may include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or more serious complications. Some dangerous effects can develop after a delay, so the absence of immediate symptoms is not reassuring.
Never eat a wild mushroom unless it has been reliably identified by a qualified expert. If someone eats a mushroom they suspect may be poisonous, contact emergency services or a poison information service promptly. Do not wait for symptoms to appear.
