Chapter 1
The sacred mushroom ceremonies of Oaxaca
View / Create
Answer
Chapter 2
Edible forest gold and cornfield delicacies
View / Create
Answer
Chapter 3
Deadly lookalikes and fungal survival science
View / Create
Answer
Chapter 4
From ancient rituals to modern medicine
View / Create
Answer
YOUR GOAL
Master of Mexico's mushroom kingdom
Ch 2 · Edible forest gold and cornfield delicacies
choko Mexican Forest and Corn Fungi
Through the misty pine forests of Sierra Norte, and down in the green maize of the milpa fields, Mexico's wild mushroom gold is blooming!
choko The municipal markets of Toluca become vibrant hubs for diverse wild mushroom varieties every summer.
BETA
choko Sort forest mushrooms to discover which Mexican species are sacred, edible, or deadly.
Fun Fact
Ustilago maydis: This plant pathogen transforms ordinary corn into huitlacoche. Celebrated in Mexico's mushroom kingdom, this "cornfield delicacy" is an edible gold prized for its rich, earthy flavor.
Glossary
honguera (noun)
A traditional Mexican female mushroom gatherer who holds ancestral knowledge of how to safely identify, harvest, and cook wild fungi. During the rainy season, they bring edible forest gold from high-altitude woods to local markets in Toluca, serving as vital guardians of Mexico's sacred, edible, and deadly mushroom kingdom.
A traditional Mexican female mushroom gatherer who holds ancestral knowledge of how to safely identify, harvest, and cook wild fungi. During the rainy season, they bring edible forest gold from high-altitude woods to local markets in Toluca, serving as vital guardians of Mexico's sacred, edible, and deadly mushroom kingdom.
Quiz
Why did American farmers historically reject the fungus huitlacoche while Mexican farmers embraced it?
choko Local foragers gather highly prized wild mushrooms from the temperate pine-oak forests of central Mexico.
Fun Fact
Gourmet corn smut: While US farmers spend millions trying to eradicate corn smut, Mexican markets sell huitlacoche for higher prices than the corn itself.
Glossary
huitlacoche (noun)
An edible fungus that grows on ears of corn and is consumed as a delicacy. Mexican farmers have harvested this corn fungus since the Aztec era to flavor traditional quesadillas.
An edible fungus that grows on ears of corn and is consumed as a delicacy. Mexican farmers have harvested this corn fungus since the Aztec era to flavor traditional quesadillas.
Quiz
Which Mexican city is famous for its large rainy-season markets where indigenous 'hongueras' sell wild mushrooms?
Quiz
What is the scientific name of the corn-attacking fungus known in Mexico as huitlacoche?