Buzz
Choosing to live in Da Lat has been a 3-year journey for me, and I've heard quite a few remarks like: 'Visiting Da Lat is mostly about checking in for virtual living rather than having many activities,' 'Where are the best places to eat and drink coffee in Da Lat?' 'There isn't much to do in Da Lat, mainly just enjoying the weather.' But due to limited time or being accustomed to familiar spots, many overlook the plethora of fascinating things Da Lat has to offer, even those who have been here for a while. Oh, and there's always the perennial question: 'Does Da Lat have a lot of rain this season?'.
It rains a lot, really a lot, but that's precisely why we have mushrooms to pick, making it an incredibly enjoyable experience.
We set out on foot and chose a forest to start mushroom picking.
Mushroom Picking in Da Lat
Da Lat's rainy season extends from May to around October each year, which is also the season when forest mushrooms thrive after heavy rains. It's a customary practice for many residents of Da Lat to venture into the pine forests to pick mushrooms for cooking delicious, simple dishes that are incredibly fresh. Travelers can get in touch with locals or those knowledgeable about mushrooms if they truly want to partake in this activity.
The lush and straight rows of pine trees are a sight to behold
So, when is the best time to go mushroom picking? Definitely within 1-2 days after rainfall. During this time, mushrooms sprout rapidly and are quite easy to spot.
We opted for a hillside along Huynh Tan Phat Street, the route to Nha Trang, as our spot to seek out a hearty foraging feast.
Starting from the center of Da Lat, simply Google the route to Huynh Tan Phat Street. After cresting the misty slope, make a left turn and you're there.
Remember to bring along a bag for mushroom collection.
Keep an eye out for areas with tall pine hills and thick grass carpets not exceeding knee height; these might be gathering spots for mushrooms. Along Huynh Tan Phat Street to the right, you'll find countless pine forests. If you spot any concrete roads leading uphill, turn right and head up. Once you see the vegetation carpet as described, that's your cue to start mushroom hunting.
If you're not accustomed to mountain climbing, it's advisable to bring a hiking stick.
Gear up for mushroom picking with basic essentials: medical or dust-free gloves, a hiking stick if necessary, a mushroom bag, trekking shoes if available, or sports shoes (preferably leather, not canvas, to prevent water seepage).
The beauty of mushroom picking lies in immersing yourself in nature, combining hiking and mountain climbing, enhancing your health while enjoying a nutritious meal.
Beneath the cool shade of pine trees, clusters of mushrooms such as bolete, chanterelle, yellow-footed, coral... sprout from the ground, awaiting forest foragers.
This bolete seems a bit matured, remember to look for younger specimens for better taste.
The most prominent and easily found mushroom is the purple kaki mushroom. They grow in clusters of 3 to 5, with varying sizes. Characterized by their pinkish-purple color and thick, firm stems.
Red chanterelle mushrooms are also quite rare.
Another relatively easy-to-find variety is the yellow-footed mushroom. They grow individually, with a bifurcated stem. A mature yellow-footed mushroom can be as big as a fist. They have a pale yellow color, with rough veins on the cap.
The most common and abundant mushroom is the bolete.
The rarest type is the hen-of-the-woods mushroom. Throughout the foraging trip, among the several kilograms of mushrooms harvested, we only found a single hen-of-the-woods mushroom. It resembles a young egg, with a vibrant yellow color. The mushroom stem is covered by a white egg-like membrane.
For those unaware, forest mushrooms have numerous beneficial effects. For instance, boletes aid in treating diarrhea, detoxification, cancer prevention, and immune enhancement against inflammation. Hens-of-the-woods contain antioxidants and vitamin A, which are beneficial for vision and skin health. Coral mushrooms, resembling coral branches, boast highly nutritious values and are not easily found. Some even liken coral mushrooms to reishi mushrooms, rare and hard to find.
Coral mushrooms are considered reishi mushrooms, rare and hard to find.
Oh, forgot to mention, there are various types of mushrooms out there, but we only pick the ones we know... the rest are left behind. And another note is that white mushrooms are often poisonous. So, it's better to leave some behind than to pick the wrong ones.
We skip these white mushrooms because they're poisonous.
After about 2 hours of mushroom picking and tired feet from traversing several hills, we've gathered quite a lot of mushrooms, several kilograms in fact. After distributing them among everyone, it's time for cooking.
When it comes to cooking forest mushrooms, the options are endless. Stir-fry them, make mushroom soup, or have them in a hot pot. We have a delicious and nutritious mushroom hot pot ready to go. If there are too many, we can think of ways to preserve them for later use. There are two methods for long-term mushroom preservation. The first method is to clean and soak them in saltwater, then store them in the refrigerator freezer compartment. The second method is to slice them thinly and sun-dry them, which also preserves them well.
Picking mushrooms while enjoying nature is truly wonderful.
According to locals, during each foraging trip, one person can gather several kilograms of forest mushrooms. If sold, fresh mushrooms fetch prices ranging from 100,000 VND or more per kilogram. When dried, they can be sold for 800,000 VND to 1 million VND per kilogram.
However, due to the limited quantity and short harvesting time primarily after rain, coupled with the delicious taste of the mushrooms, locals mainly pick them for consumption rather than for sale.
As we pick mushrooms, we envision a mushroom hot pot simmering away.
Apart from the impressive cafes and homestays, Da Lat offers numerous activities for travelers to experience. Don't feel down if it rains one day because who knows what exciting adventures await in the pine forests tomorrow.
Author: Pham Xuan Thanh
*This article is part of the Mytour Golocal program
Mytour Golocal is a blogging program showcasing beautiful destinations across Vietnam, under the Mytour Go & Share program. It's a fantastic opportunity to promote local tourism to everyone. For each qualifying article, you'll receive 800,000 VND and a chance to become a contributor with Mytour. For more details about the program, visit: https://trv.lk/golocal
