Mushrooms

The world of mushrooms and fungi represents a real universe in the province of Cáceres. These products, stars of gastronomy, are generating more and more interest among enthusiasts, who come to our counties to search for the best specimens.

Moreover, their high culinary value has turned them into an interesting niche for economic development. In addition to harvesting, preserving and selling, there are other leisure and tourism services available that reach their peak during the autumn season.

The autumn rains bring us the first mushrooms and fungi that we can collect, even within Cáceres, if we look in the more central parks and in nearly any landscaped spot. The most common varieties are shiny cap, tinder fungus and russet toughshank, as well as yellowish mushrooms. 

In the closest wild setting, it largely depends on the weather, but a rainy October can easily result in a good number of different kinds of mushrooms. 

If you leave the parks of Cáceres and get closer to the Aguas Vivas or La Mosca mountains, the number of species increases.  

The county of Sierra de Gata is a recommended destination for mushroom and fungus enthusiasts. Mushrooms and fungi are selected in Moraleja that are then distributed throughout Spain and Europe. These products come whole or sliced, fresh or prepared, dried or frozen, and are always processed using the latest technology, achieving a quality recognised by the best chefs in Europe.

You can find similar experiences in other counties as well. The variety of fungi in Las Hurdes is impressive. The shade of pine trees, holm oaks, cherry trees and all the other numerous trees are home to a wide range of mushrooms. The same goes for Sierra de San Pedro, where you can collect milk caps and boletus mushrooms, or in La Vera and the Ambroz Valley. The abundance of natural areas in the province makes it privileged in terms of having numerous fungi of the best quality readily available. 

Some municipalities are starting to give visibility to their wealth of fungi by holding meetings with experts and enthusiasts. One example is  Spring Mushroom Day held in Garrovillas in April, while in November, there are fungi festivities in Navalmoral de la Mata.