Giant (>25 cm)

The best-known giants of the temperate zone

According to mycological guides, there are two absolute leaders among the giants, both of them excellent edible delicacies:

1. Parasol mushroom (Macrolepiota procera):

This is a true skyscraper of the mushroom world. Its stem can grow up to 40 cm tall, and the open, flat cap (covered with brown scales and resembling an umbrella) easily reaches 30-40 cm across. Parasols grow on forest edges and in pastures. Despite their giant size, the flesh stays tender (the caps are fried whole, like cutlets), but the tough stems are usually thrown away.

2. Giant puffball (Calvatia gigantea):

This mushroom has no stem and no cap; it looks like a huge white ball (or a soccer ball) lying in the grass. The giant puffball can reach up to 50 cm in diameter and weigh 5-10 kilograms (the world record is 20 kg). As long as the flesh inside the ball is snow-white, the mushroom is edible and very tasty. A single one can release up to 7 trillion spores!

Atypical giants

Sometimes mushrooms grow giant even when that size isn't normal for them. For example, in unusually warm and wet years, porcini can grow to gigantic sizes (cap 30+ cm, weight up to 2-3 kg). However, such freak specimens are the exception to the rule, and their flesh usually becomes too soft and spongy to eat.