Latvian Radio's Daugavpils correspondent reports that we re at DEFCON 1 on the mushroom front with perennial favorites baravika and gailene both in evidence on the stalls of market traders.
However, prices remain high owing to a great deal of dry weather that has delayed and restricted the quantity and quality of mushrooms making it in one piece past granny's cream sauce and onto the open market, according to traders.
On the other hand, mycologist (mushroom expert) Arvis Soldāns points out that at the moment everything is within the normal limits - which suggests talk of a mushroom shortage may be a cunning commercial ploy. Moreover, one can not speak of a regional difference or boast that Latgale is this year's mushroom region of choice, he said.
"The fungi do not care which region they live in. In a region with more favorable weather conditions, more precipitation, more appropriate temperatures, there will also be more mushrooms. It's nature's own management. It cannot be said that this is a bad mushroom year. Every year is different and there are deviations, but you cannot single out this year," said Soldāns, who undoubtedly knows his mushrooms.
Ultimately there is only one way to find out for sure if there is gold in them thar forests - go there yourself and find out.
But please don't eat anything unless you are 100% sure what it is!
