10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Great Resource on Mushrooms, October 12, 2009
This review is from: Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms of New England and Eastern Canada (Paperback)
If the Field Guide to North American Mushrooms is like a telephone directory, which lists every number, then David Spahr's Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms of New England and Eastern Canada is the "little black book" of mushrooms, containing intimate details about your very best and favorite specimens.
Spahr's book covers about two dozen "easy-to-find, relatively safe, edible and medicinal mushrooms." He provides lots of detailed, practical advice, including what to take (and not take) on a mushroom hunt, exactly where and when to look for them, how to take good photos, and how to prepare them.
Since acquiring this book, I've been able to identify a Giant Puffball, Parasols, Blewits and others which I had previously never seen. All I have to know is, "it's in the book" and I can quickly identify, prepare and eat it (without fear of poisoning). The book has also enabled me to more positively identify other mushrooms, including Artist's Conk, Honey Mushroom and Turkey Tails.
Spahr has eliminated the head scratching, time wasting and fumbling around, looking for a photo that matches your mushroom. Best of all, you won't leave behind a great mushroom because you're not sure what it is.
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mushrooms Are Tops, November 10, 2009
This review is from: Edible and Medicinal Mushrooms of New England and Eastern Canada (Paperback)
MUSHROOMS - Edible and Medicinal by David L. Spahr
Reviewed by Dr. Joseph S. Maresca
This volume has virtually every variety of mushrooms popularized
in the organic foods marketplace. Each mushroom type is presented
in full color together with its proximate location and use; namely,
edible, non-edible or medicinal.
Mushrooms are fungi. The fungi release digestive enzymes to
decompose living and dead matter. There are 100,000 species
consisting of molds, yeasts and mushrooms. There are specific
rules for collecting mushrooms and identifying them.
i.e. pores, teeth and ridge networks.
There are specific tree types which host mushrooms
i.e. Maples host Oyster Mushrooms in the fall and early winter .
Digital cameras with at least 5 megapixels should be employed to
obtain high quality pictures of mushrooms in their natural state.
The Maitake mushrooms are known to have considerable medicinal
properties. For instance, they aid in boosting the immune system to
fight cancer and stabilize blood pressure. Secondary uses include
anti-hypertension and anti-diabetic properties. A full 98% of the
Maitake mushrooms are found around oak and dead tree trunks.
Ideally, mushrooms should be washed with a sink sprayer.
The book provides an extensive section on compatible wines to
specific mushroom types. For instance, Chanterelle mushrooms
may be eaten with a dry white wine. Hedgehog mushrooms
go well with Sherry or Port wine. The Horse Mushroom goes good
with dry red wine.
This acquisition would be excellent for the food connoisseur in
your household. In addition, physicians, nutritionists,
health buffs and professional chefs will enjoy this book immensely.
An excellent bibliography is provided for the readership.
The book is priced reasonably.
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