Forage in the Insta forest

If you’re one of the 5 500 who follow the_mushroom_forager on Instagram, chances are you’re dreaming about fairy tales, mushroom recipes and foraging expeditions. Maja Palm spoke to Justin Williams, the man behind the account.

What made you start this Instagram account?

Over weekends, I’m mostly in the forest looking for mushrooms, then I end up walking into a friend’s kitchen with a full basket and we cook something interesting. I share my hobbies on Instagram: my adventures while foraging for wild mushrooms, cooking with ingredients “harvested” from nature, and the healing powers of plants. During the week I work in the exciting world of crypto-currencies and on weekends I give free rein to my life-long love of nature.

How did you become interested in mushrooms?

In the winter of 1997, when I was 10 years old, my father took us to Tokai Forest in Cape Town’s Southern Suburbs to pick mushrooms. I knew nothing about these fungi, but earlier that week I’d borrowed a library book on the subject. We were disappointed that none of the mushrooms we picked that day were edible, but my curiosity was piqued.

What do you think are the most fascinating properties of mushrooms?

Mycelium – a network of fine filaments that carry information, almost like the internet (I call it the “wood-wide web”) – forms the largest part of a fungus organism. The mushrooms above ground are really the fruit of this organism that is concealed underground or in trees and stumps.

What excites you the most about mushroom foraging?

Coming across a mushroom species I last saw the previous season. Mushrooms appear in the same places year after year and it feels like you’re bumping into an old friend. A big part of foraging is understanding what makes mushrooms grow and flourish. Once you’ve learnt to read the signs in nature, you’ll always be able to track them down when the time is right.

Did your love of mushrooms inspire you to start cooking, or was it the other way round?

In high school I was one of a handful of boys who took home economics as a subject. I find it exciting and very satisfying to be able to cook with plants I’ve gathered in nature.

Do you have a favourite mushroom?

Definitely morels, which have exceptional flavour. Unfortunately, morels are rare and only grow for a very short period when the conditions are perfect.

In 2019, Justin will present talks in Hogsback and Johannesburg, among other places. Follow him on Instagram to find out more.