Go Forth and Forage: A Guide to Foraging Over 50 of the Most Common Edible & Medicinal North American Mushrooms

Let expert forager and Appalachian native Whitney Johnson (@appalachian_forager) be your friendly guide to foraging over 50 North American species of edible and medicinal fungi.

Go Forth and Forage is a detailed field guide to identifying, harvesting, and preparing wild-foraged mushrooms through all four seasons. From spring treasures such as morels and woodears, to summer finds like black trumpets, chicken of the woods, and boletes, straight through to fall and winter harvests of lion’s mane, oyster, and enoki, each species profile includes color photos, identification advice to confirm edibility, and tips on how to harvest responsibly. You’ll also find culinary preparation advice and recipes to feast on your finds successfully and deliciously.

In her signature warm and folksy tone, Johnson also offers insight on:

• How to find wild mushrooms (hint: identifying trees is involved) • Understanding mushroom anatomy and how it informs your harvest • The best gear for mushroom foraging, from knives and bags to clothes and boots • Using spore prints to help confirm proper identification • Words of wisdom on what to do before • you take a bite • Being a responsible and ethical forager • Common mushroom myths • Finding and using mushrooms in medicinal forms, such as tinctures and teas

Humans have foraged for wild mushrooms for untold generations. Now, with help from Go Forth and Forage, you’ll be on your way to mastering this age-old skill and enjoying all the delicacies the craft of mushroom foraging has to offer.

© 2025 Cool Springs Press (Ebook): 9780760392768

Release date

Ebook: 25 March 2025