Mushroom picking in Tenerife
Prepare the basket, the razor and the jaw
An unexpected mushroom paradise
Mushroom hunting in Tenerife? Of course it is! Although at first it does not sound like the most logical activity on a subtropical island, the peculiar Canarian climate, responsible for the humidity of the northern parts of most of the islands, makes it possible to pick mushrooms in Tenerife. Are you up for challenging the clichés?
The diversity of ecosystems and the low pressure to collect make Tenerife a paradise for mushroom growers.
Mushrooms are able to thrive in a large number of different environments, and that is precisely what is abundant in Tenerife. Pine forests, chestnut groves, monteverde or fayal-brezal, between 600 and almost 2000 meters of altitude, are the lands where we find species such as the common ticket, the chanterelle, the morel, the lesser extinguisher, the pistonuda or the chanterelle, as well as truffles and borne.
Before jumping into the mountains, remember that it is necessary to request permission from the Cabildo for this activity, if it is carried out in protected natural areas. The maximum allowed is three kilos per person per day, always in a basket and never at night. In any case, the harvesting pressure is relatively low on the island, and the mushrooms develop a lot in quantity and quality (in 2015 a ticket of more than five kilos appeared!).
If you are reading this, you probably know how to pick mushrooms and we don’t have to explain anything about it. But you would like to know where and how to do it, right? Well, read on and you will find more information on mushroom picking in Tenerife. And take advantage of it…
Where (and when) to look for mushrooms in Tenerife
If you are fond of mushrooms, you will know that the best places to pick them are among the best kept secrets by the mushroom makers of each place. That said, nothing prevents us from giving you a general (and rather vague, of course) idea of where and when to direct your attention…
In the midlands of the island, halfway between the coast and the summit of Mount Teide, we find the places on the island where fungi develop more and better. This is especially true on the northern slope of the island, which is much wetter than the southern side of the island. However, each mushroom has a preferred ecosystem.
The municipality of Rosario, and more specifically the town of La Esperanza, is the epicenter of the mushroom activity in Tenerife. The natural areas of La Corona Forestal and Las Lagunetas are preferred by enthusiasts to search, observe, photograph and collect mushrooms in Tenerife. In any case, you will also find good corners around Tegueste, Chasna and Benijos, San José de los Llanos, Arico, Fasnia, Güímar, Araya, Arafo…
As for the best time… Most of the edible mushrooms found on the island bear fruit, as usual, in late summer, autumn or early winter. On the other hand, there are exceptions; the beginning of spring is the time chosen by morels, for example.
Associations and events in the world of mushrooms
If you like mushrooms, there will be two things that you will be very clear about: it is essential to consult an expert (better if it is local) about what you are picking, in case of doubt; And as rewarding as picking mushrooms is… eating them!
The Mycological Society of Tenerife is the leading mushroom organisation on the island. As good connoisseurs, they will tell you everything you need to know about mushrooms, how to pick them correctly, the best time to pick them and other fundamental details; If you are just starting out, do not hesitate to contact them.
The Mushroom Tapa Route is the perfect opportunity to pick mushrooms in Tenerife, learn more about them and, above all, taste numerous preparations. The event takes place every year in November in La Esperanza, and includes outings to the mountains, informative talks and a lot of different tapas with mushrooms as the protagonists, by local hoteliers.
Amigos de las Setas – Tenerife is the most dynamic group on the island today. Through social networks you can ask them any questions you have regarding mushroom picking in Tenerife, be aware of any news or event, participate in their activities or even find company to go out to the mountains.
"There are old mushroom hunters and daring mushroom hunters, but there are no old, daring mushroom hunters." – Anonymous
Enjoy the world of mushrooms, always sensibly
Mushroom picking is a great activity for those who love the mountains, who have fun walking up and down between forests and rocks, who enjoy admiring such prodigious living beings as mushrooms. But it is also an activity for people with heads. The golden law: “if you don’t know it, don’t pick it up.”
For your first experience it might be advisable to go mushroom shopping with someone who knows the terrain and is initiated in the vast world of mycology; you will enjoy twice as much and without any risk. Numerous outings and excursions are organised in Tenerife throughout the year, you just have to find out more.
But if you are a moderately sensible person who knows how to get along in the mountains and you just want to observe, and not eat, any mushroom that crosses your path, you will have a great time in the forests of Tenerife, and we assure you that you will be surprised by its mycological diversity.
Come with your family, friends or partner, or other mushroom fans like you, to mushroom picking in Tenerife. Combine it with a relaxing morning in a spa, with an afternoon diving on the beach, or with a night contemplating the unrepeatable firmament of these islands. Where is that possible if not in Tenerife?