Foraging
Photo: Paxson Woelber, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Foraging is the harvesting of wild organic material, such as plants and fungi, for food, souvenirs, or other purposes.
Still today, some communities in the world live as hunter-gatherers, and even in high-income countries, foraged berries and mushrooms remain as a part of the local cuisine.
Foraging is regulated in most countries. Assume it is prohibited until you know to what extent it is allowed.
Good ideas are like mushrooms, where you find one you often find more.
Fruit and berriesMost biomes have some kind of fruits and vegetables. Many fruits and berries are edible, some are poisonous. There is no general rule to know which are edible, so learn to know the ones you are going to pick.
WoodTrees hold high economic and ecological value, so cutting down trees, whether it be for a campfire, shelter or decoration, is usually prohibited, or at least very restricted.
FlowersWild flowers are usually picked for decoration, though they can have ceremonial purposes, and some are edible, too.
FungiFungi can be great food – many species are very tasty, and in many parts of the world you can get them for free if you collect them yourself.
Sea vegetablesEdible sea vegetation - seaweed, sea lettuce, nori or kelp - tends to be rich in minerals and vitamins and is considered delicacy in Asian countries.
AnimalsForaging includes the collection of butterflies and other small animals as decorative souvenirs, and animals such as clams, insects and larvae for eating. Do not harm endangered species.
Equipment
Stay safeForaged food can be infested with pathogens. For some pathogens washing it is enough; others require cooking. Also, water used for washing can be contaminated (see Water).
RespectIn most countries, foraging is restricted, if not prohibited. In nature reserves, the leave-no-trace principle might be enforced. The Nordic right to access is permissive, but not all foraging is allowed even there.
See also
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Foraging" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: Paxson Woelber, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons