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Have you heard that washing down scrambled mushrooms with beer is a reckless gamble with your life that doesn’t end well? Don’t believe that for a second. The hop brew is actually recommended! We also have good news for wine lovers …
After years of hardship and deprivation, this year’s mushroom season is exceptionally successful. This is confirmed not only by mycologists but also by the satisfied faces of mushroom pickers who invariably return from the forest with full baskets. Because mushrooms, parasol mushrooms and chanterelles are now on everyone’s lips, a lot of people are asking whether they CAN wash their finds down with alcohol after cooking. Is this combination allowed, or is it a reason to visit the emergency room?
To drink or not to drink? That is the question!
Let’s be clear, mushrooms are tasty, but they certainly don’t belong on the list of easily digestible foods. That’s the reason why children under three should not be given them at all and seniors only occasionally – and definitely not before bedtime.
After all, they can upset the gallbladder, stomach and liver because of the content of indigestible chitin.
It’s a substance similar to cellulose, but compared to it it is enriched with nitrogen and is broken down only by microorganisms. That alone sounds quite frightening, so for individuals with sensitive digestion forest gifts like these should remain taboo – for their own good. That doesn’t concern you because your digestion runs like clockwork?
So let’s talk about alcohol …
Firewater and scrambled mushrooms. Is that okay?
Right from the start it should be mentioned that the dilemma of whether to wash mushrooms down with the scourge of humanity or not depends mainly on which specific mushrooms you bring home. The danger exists when alcohol is consumed in combination with dishes made from inky caps and related species.
This mushroom contains coprine, which prevents the breakdown of ethanol in the body, so acetaldehyde poisoning occurs.
A small glass of something stronger is also not advisable with hallucinogenic mushrooms. As for commonly collected and traditionally popular species, alcohol in reasonable moderation cannot harm.
White foam and a chilled bottle? Good idea
For example, such beer is actually beneficial. The gentle effervescence of the “liquid bread” and the present hop bitterness can on the contrary stimulate and improve digestion, so you won’t feel heavy after the meal. The same applies to wine, so feel free to enjoy a deciliter. However, even here it is clear that everyone is different – and it depends on each individual. The main thing is moderation, after all, as always …
