Mushroom myths: About edibility
Myth #1. When boiling poisonous mushrooms with an onion, the onion turns blue.
This is a myth! The onion's color change during boiling with mushrooms is caused by the enzyme tyrosinase, which reacts with amino acids in the onion. This enzyme is present in many foods and has no relation whatsoever to mushroom edibility.
This is a myth! The onion's color change during boiling with mushrooms is caused by the enzyme tyrosinase, which reacts with amino acids in the onion. This enzyme is present in many foods and has no relation whatsoever to mushroom edibility.
Myth #2. If a mushroom is worm-eaten, it must be edible — insects don't eat poisonous mushrooms.
This is a myth! Many insects, larvae, and slugs can feed on mushrooms that are highly toxic to humans. Invertebrates have different metabolic pathways and detoxification mechanisms, so their feeding preferences are not a reliable indicator of safety for humans.
This is a myth! Many insects, larvae, and slugs can feed on mushrooms that are highly toxic to humans. Invertebrates have different metabolic pathways and detoxification mechanisms, so their feeding preferences are not a reliable indicator of safety for humans.