POTSDAM, Germany (AP) — Wolfgang Bivour, a renowned fungi expert in Germany, leads mushroom hunting tours near Potsdam. This activity, once a …

Wolfgang Bivour, a renowned fungi expert in Germany, leads mushroom hunting tours near Potsdam. This activity, once a necessity after World War II, is seeing a revival. The pandemic and a growing interest in veganism and medicinal fungi have fueled this trend. Bivour emphasizes the ecological importance of mushrooms and biodiversity. He shares his knowledge through books, social media, and a podcast. Many new foragers are cautious, fearing poisonous varieties like the green death cap. Participants often seek expert verification before consuming their finds, highlighting the blend of curiosity and caution in this renewed hobby.

Amid some renewed interest in foraging for edible wild plants, mushrooms and other foodstuffs, experts caution aspiring foragers to prioritize safety, plan carefully and learn proper identification. A critical consideration when gathering food from forests, urban landscapes and elsewhere is to avoid accidental poisoning. That means if you have any doubt about a plant’s safety, don’t touch or taste it. Foraging instructor Iris Phoebe Weaver says it can also be dangerous to rely solely on a comparison to online photos, which can be misidentified. Experienced foragers and field guides also recommend learning about plants' toxic look-alikes, avoiding polluted areas, and respecting local rules and private property.