Finland's 5 most popular berries and mushrooms
Finnish nature provides many delicacies in autumn, and picking mushrooms and berries is an important tradition for many Finns. The forests are beautiful and smell good, and they invite people to forage for food treasures for the winter. Here are the 5 most important foods you can get from the forests, for free!
Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea)
Lingonberry is certainly one of the best-known and most popular berries in Finland. From the beginning of September, they are versatile and are great for juices, jams, porridges and pastries. Lingonberry is also really healthy because it has a lot of vitamins.
Cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos)
Cranberry is a berry that is at its best in late autumn, often just after the first snow falls. It is a sour berry. It grows in bogs and swamps, and are often used in juices, jellies and as a side dish with meat dishes. Its health benefits, especially in preventing urinary tract infections, are well known.
Funnel bolete (Craterellus tubaeformis)
The funnel bolete is the autumn mushroom that all mushroom pickers dream of. It gives a large harvest and is one of the best edible mushrooms. It is often found in mossy forests. The funnel bolete is easy to recognize by its funnel-shaped shape and yellowish-brown color. It is well suited for frying, stews, sauces and soups. Funnel bolete can be dried for the winter, which makes the taste even better.
Chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius)
Although the chanterelle collection season begins in summer, you can often find new harvests in autumn, especially if there has been a lot of rain. Their yellow color and apricot-like aroma make them easy to recognize. Chanterelles are delicious when fried in butter, in creamy sauces or on top of pizza.
Blueberries (Vaccinium myrtillus)
Although the main blueberry picking season is in late summer, you can still find late blueberries in early autumn, especially if the summer has been warm and humid. Blueberries are the favorite berry of Finns, and for a reason! They contain many substances that protect the body and vitamins, and their taste is sweet and delicious. Blueberries make the best pies, jams, smoothies and porridge.
The autumn forests are waiting for you to come pick blueberries!
Attention!
Always remember to only pick mushrooms and berries that you can definitely recognize. Ask your Finnish friend's parents or grandparents to join you, they know best! Respect nature and leave only footprints behind. Good luck with your picking!
Are you planning to forage the forests in Finland this autumn? Tell us about your experiences!
Minna, OLS Community Manager – Finnish