Mushrooms

Poles love mushrooms, both those growing in forests and meadows and those that are cultivated. Picking forest mushrooms is a passion for hundreds of thousands of our countrymen, and the most sought-after are boletes, kite mushrooms, red pine mushrooms, buttermilks, bay boletes and chanterelles. Mushroom pickers are well versed in the subject, they can faultlessly distinguish between edible and poisonous mushrooms. They know dozens of recipes for dishes with mushrooms: baked, fried, boiled, marinated, dried, stewed – mushrooms as main courses, soups, as side dishes and as appetisers.

In addition to forest mushrooms, we passionately eat cultivated mushrooms, i.e. primarily champignons. The history of eating mushrooms in Poland dates back as far as the 18th century, when the Polish nobility travelling through Western Europe, enchanted by the dishes served there with these mushrooms, decided to bring them to Polish tables. For a long time, mushrooms were considered an equally exclusive and exquisite dish, on a par with truffles.

Today, Poland is the leader in the production of mushrooms not only in Europe, but also the largest exporter in the world. Our share in world exports is as high as 32% (2021). More than half of domestic mushroom production goes to foreign customers, including Germany, the Netherlands, France, Great Britain and the Balkan countries. Among gourmets, the Polish mushroom has the reputation of being the best in Europe thanks to, among other things, its high dry matter content. Another important reason is its relatively low price. Interestingly, in Poland the harvesting is done by hand.

And did you know that… for several years now, the Podlasie region has been producing the most mushrooms in the country? Yes, it is our voivodeship that is currently the largest mushroom-growing centre in Europe. Podlaskie’s mushroom-growing facilities are fully mechanised, have quality certificates, appropriately trained workers and efficient, extensive logistical facilities, so that fresh mushrooms reach shops, supermarkets and fairs in the most remote regions of the world in the shortest possible time.

 

Photos: Adobe Stock, Canva