Edible Mushrooms: Giant Puffball

Thanks to "burtontube" who pointed out to me that I should have said that puffball powder is a COAGULANT not an anticoagulant.I stand corrected!The Giant Puffball ("Calvatia gigantea") & it's smaller relatives are good mushrooms for beginners to try as they have no gills and are white inside. Their taste is rather bland so they take on the flavors of whatever they're cooked with. DON"T EAT ANY MUSHROOM UNLESS YOU ARE 100% SURE OF ITS IDENTITY!

[@thederb720]

In answer to 1too3fore's comment below : I clearly stated that a puffball has NO GILLS when cut open whereas poisonous amanitas have them. I suppose someone who is careless could confuse the smaller puffballs with amanitas but in my video I showed examples of both cut open puffballs & amanitas. PLUS I stand by what I say about GIANT puffballs--that they have no poisonous look-alikes; I've never seen an amanita around here (in MA) that even comes close in size to the giant puffball. ALSO the first thing a viewer of this video sees is a warning to never eat a mushroom unless 100% sure of its edibility…

[@nikkiknows]

Blanche Cybele Derby get 'em girl!

[@MiserableOldFart]

Found some of those toxic scleroderma earth balls on my place. Cut it open and that purple-black spore mass has a delicious smell, like it would be great to eat. Of course it would not. But it's good to remember that toxic, even deadly mushrooms can taste just fine.. Giant puffballs are safe. The only one I ever ate was not tasty, and I haven't had another to try. I tried some tiny pear shaped puffballs this year. Cooked fast they tasted bad. Cooked slow, they taste like potatoes. Not worth bothering with.

[@misunflowerstyle906]

if only all mushroom videos were this informative! Excellent educational video. thank you.

[@thederb720]

Thanks for the compliment. Mushrooms can be tricky to id, but there's nothing like the giant puffball!

[@marcogomez5227]

What a cool lady! Thanks for the fun and informative video!

[@thederb720]

Thanks for the compliments!

[@Caborrrl]

Blanche Cybele Derby I agree with him as well. You're a cool lady. Thank you for he video :)

[@thederb720]

José Cabo Thank you too--it's always good to get encouraging comments...

[@carmelopearman5721]

i found a giant puffball at school once, i brought it home, and my mom told me to drop it since it might be poisoned. It took me 30 minutes to explain to her how it is the only mushroom that's the size of a football.

[@aleksandramakari]

hehe. Well the more we know. My mom made me throw out the ones my aunt gave us.

[@mastertrey4683]

These things are just big chunks of gold

[@chrisaliguitar]

I found one in the backyard I picked it and sauté it with garlic and butter yummy

[@thederb720]

Puffballs tend to take on the flavors of whatever it is cooked with.

[@marafaggin9445]

@@thederb720 yupper, kinda like tofu in many ways ppl say about puffballs. 🍄

[@lewisadventurama5201]

Add some parmesan cheese next time! Trust me its amazing!

[@thederb720]

To Zestria Zapax: It's perfectly safe to touch/ smell a poisonous mushroom as long as you don't put it your mouth & eat it.

[@thederb720]

Shazbat Nanoo Nanoo But what if a poisonous one tastes good (and not bitter?) What happens to that one guy who thinks that only the bitter ones are bad and ends up eating a dangerous one? Just wondering-- I know I'd never taste anything whose id I was not sure of...

[@thederb720]

Shazbat Nanoo Nanoo Was it Dave Arora who uses this method--I'm surprised if it is. I avoid eating mushrooms raw, even those button ones that are found in buffet salad bars; I think they're more digestible if cooked.

[@thederb720]

Blanche Cybele Derby Thats why I wondered if it was him because he's SO knowledgable. Lots of folks eat the buttons raw with no repercussions, but I'm not taking any chances.

[@thederb720]

Shazbat Nanoo Nanoo You're probably right but raw 'shrooms contain chitin, which is not easily digested by humans and I don't want to chance getting a tummy ache if I can avoid it… so I cook them. A friend who's a raw foodist ate some sulphur shelf mushrooms raw and had a horrible stomach pains (unfortunately he didn't ask my advice--I would have told him that he shouldn't ever do that.)

[@ck88777]

"They can be absorbed through the skin leading to the same potentially lethal effects as ingestion or inhalation." (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amanita_phalloides).

[@Harleybear09]

Oh please keep them coming! It is a pleasure to watch your videos. Makes me feel all naturey and it is because of the visuals and the info. The music helps alot too :D

[@gabe211]

not sure how i got to this side of youtube but this looks very good to eat.

[@thederb720]

Give it a try AFTER you make a POSITIVE id.

[@SuezWSuezW]

We just found one of these in a yard next to some scrubby woods in Eastern Ontario, after a 2-week dry spell just before the rain. It was delicious! It was so big and heavy I had to give some to a friend. To reassure him about my identification I sent him the link to your excellent video! Thanks for posting it!

[@Humble-Daniel]

Awesome! I really want to try this mushroom. Also, WOW!!! That recipe for puff ball french toast is epic!!!! What a great idea!!!

[@thederb720]

This mushroom is epic--enough for many stir fries.

[@jeocreationz8299]

Oh my gosh this is SO COOL! I remember finding one of these when I was little and had no idea it was in its reproductive stage. I had so much fun watching all its spores get released. I’m sooo happy to know they’re edible when white!! Thank you so much for making this video. Finding and trying this will now be on my bucket list, and hopefully I’ll get to make French toast someday : )

[@thederb720]

This mushroom is so much fun to find--there's nothing like it! Hope you can find some.

[@thederb720]

Thanks for your positive comment. Guess it's probably too hot where you live. if you ever come up to New England in the fall, keep an eye out for some after a rainstorm...

[@karenmaunz2251]

Nice informative video. Thanks. I found about 20 of these while walking my dog in a slightly wooded area. I will be freezing some for use at a later date.

[@aeridyne]

I like the stuff like this that I've started to identify in my own yard that are easy to identify, and free organic food! Thank you for this video, best I found on them.

[@thederb720]

Yes, many good edibles are right in people's yards!

[@Harleybear09]

This is a beautiful video! Makes me feel so good to see people making the most of this wonderful earth

[@zacharydavis8665]

My sister harvested one and watched your video for identification and recipe ideas. Split in two and did French toast with half and sautéed the other half and I just happened upon another one in the yard today! So cool!

[@thederb720]

I'm pleased you've found some. We haven't had much rain but last night we had a soaking, so now I'll be on the lookout to find some "puffs" of my own.

[@thederb720]

I'm always happy to share what I know;glad you liked it!

[@ByGraceIGo]

Very good video. Very informative, explicit and to the point and easy to understand with good audio. Thank you!

[@thederb720]

Thank you...I appreciate your compliments.

[@ByGraceIGo]

You are welcome. :-)

[@cathyshu1434]

Love your channel. I saw puffballs when I live in the eastern area. Many of puffballs came out after rains. I did not know they were edible, but I spent time observing them as I was curious about what they were. It was fun time for me and my son! Thanks for reminding me about the beautiful memories.

[@thederb720]

Yes mushroom love rain & Puffballs are no exception. They tend to like open areas like fields unlike many other mushrooms that appear in the woods. The giant ones are certainly a treat to find, especially for children!

[@MCK90s]

Damnit, I found a massive puffball but I didn't know it was edible and kicked the shit out of it :(

[@thederb720]

Well maybe you spread its spores & it'll produce another one!

[@vintageandfabulous2990]

Blanche Cybele Derby you answered to that!!!

[@haven252]

couldve made it into a delicious cream soup instead!

[@grrr1351]

Ball

[@LucaPed94]

LMAO!!!!

[@ratilda1]

Yum! Love this recipe! Didn't know that I can freeze the puffballs. Many thanks again!

[@Nate-hb8tw]

This was really interesting and informative! I wanna go find a puffball to eat now... omg that recipe with the pears and maple sounds amazing

[@thederb720]

Usually I find giant ones beginning in late August but they may appear before that where you live--keep looking...

[@IIDASHII]

I appreciate the video Blanche! I just found a whole bunch of puffballs at our camp in the white mountains. While looking at them, I noticed one that looked just slightly different. I cut it open, and sure enough, it was the pigskin poison puffball you mentioned in the video. I would have had no idea if not for your video!

[@fstkpfls]

Wow, this video is really calming. I enjoy listening to the voice.

[@thederb720]

Thank you...

[@roberttrainor7659]

wonderful video full of great help for those in search of experience. thanks so much for sharing.

[@thederb720]

Learning about Giant Puffball is an easy way to be introduced into the incredible fungal world.

[@barbarastepien-foad4519]

thankyou for the video. we've found one in our front garden under the conifers, I'm going to pick it and fry it, can't wait!

[@thederb720]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@thederb720]

Yes, I freeze excess ones. Just had my first "Puffball French toast" of the season--soooo good

[@RegenaDPeAcEonly]

thank you so much for identifying those shroom w/the purple insides. I just found them and thought they were old Puffballs & was going to try to reproduce! I haven't found any the last several years. My Dad used to find gigantic ones & we grew up on them. Wish he were here, and glad I found your video. Peace & thanks again.

[@developmeantphoto]

I love this video, thank you :) The next time I find one, I am going to try your French toast recipe along with fried plantain (the vegetable that's mistaken for a banana). I stumbled upon one of these in a nearby woods several years ago; didn't know it's edible, and I look forward to finding them again!

[@kikivolauvent1]

I’ve come here to learn what a giant puffball mushroom is, following a blog post. I’ve never seen anything like that and I’m not sure they’d grow in Europe - but it was a fantastic and very informative video. Congratulations to your careful, very clear and beautifully made work!

[@thederb720]

It supposedly does grow in Europe so keep looking! perhaps there's a mycological group near where you live that you could join; maybe some of the members know where they can be found.

[@thederb720]

Thank you! I appreciate your support...

[@thederb720]

Glad you liked it!

[@margaretclyde1916]

Thank you for so much information in your shows. I eat my puffballs on grilled cheese sandwiches

[@thederb720]

Your grilled cheese sandwich sandwich: good idea!

[@nancymorsen1213]

Wow great video.. thank you for all the great information. I love morels but have never tried these.

[@broderickelliott8527]

Thank you for putting my mind at ease. Also thank you for the song at the end. I use a similar phrase with my kids when I teach them woodcraft. I prompt them with."If you don't KNOW what it is...." and if they respond with "Don't eat it." I know I don't have to worry about them.

[@thederb720]

It's so important to make children aware of the edibles that surround them but just as necessary is for them to learn proper id. before they eat anything...

[@tzapiecki]

Thanks for the video! I will try freezing the ones I've found in my yard. I had no idea what it was, but I am pleasantly surprised to find it is edible. Your video is very clear and informative.

[@thederb720]

good luck!

[@thederb720]

Often it's just a matter of knowing what to pair the mushroom(s) with. I love experimenting with different combinations of flavors.

[@saltyhashes1781]

It's creative how you used an 8-track monophonic receiver to make the backing music. You don't see that often these days!

[@thederb720]

Guess I'm old fashioned -or just old!:)

[@thederb720]

thanks! I try to choose appropriate music--glad you liked the songs.

[@SeemaP83]

Informative video..thank u..where do they grow? Do they sprout in California?

[@thederb720]

They certainly aren't hard to miss! Now that you know what they are, I hope you enjoy them even more...

[@thederb720]

I've even used large slices of puffball, battered & fried them ( pressing down on them to remove excess water) then used them as mini pizza crusts. I cover them with tomatoes cheese ,olives, etc,etc & then put them in the oven like pizza. It's a novel way to serve them!

[@thederb720]

Thanks, Nancy! I too love morels but they're pretty rare here.

[@billodonnell7281]

Fabulous video, so informative, many thanks.

[@thederb720]

+June O'Donnell And thank you for your compliments!

[@Fickoch]

Thanks! I collect spores, molds and fungus… and this was perfect! - Egon

[@eveny119]

Very clear and informative, thanks.

[@thederb720]

That's a good way to cook them.I enjoy them with a little maple syrup & pear slices (like I showed in my video) but other toppings can be added instead.

[@q695]

we have those all over our yard, thanks for telling me what they are.

[@Beatnikzombie]

This was great fun. I'm going to try puffballs this year. They grow in my woods.

[@thederb720]

It's always a surprise when I find one of these giant mushrooms.

[@crystalcaitlin9449]

Such a cute and informative video and lady thanks!

[@thederb720]

Thanks so much--for your praise & for your sub!

[@deborahlogan1440]

Yes-these do grow in Michigan. I have them growing in my back yard. I harvested one today and will enjoy it for dinner tonight.

[@thederb720]

I'm still waiting to find one; soon they'll appear, I hope!

[@RoguesOnTheRoad]

Great video, love the idea of incorporating the fungi into Parmesan!

[@beegardn]

I finally found one a few weeks ago. Years ago my grandmother reccommended these as she knew i had an interest in fungi as being her pick. Now i can cultivate them in my yard! I was walking around creve couer park told someone i was hunting shrooms and she related where this one was l. She thought it was a soccerball lost in the woods. Imagine her surprise when it squshed as she stepped on it. That was how i found it.

[@thederb720]

That's how I found my first giant puffball--we were playing kickball (with a white ball) & one of the children in the outfield retrieved 2 of them, one of which was a giant puffball!

[@chiliwithonel]

Pretty entertaining stuff!

[@FatherAxeKeeper]

I found two of these while hiking deep off the trail in a nature park today. There was one massive one about the size of the one by the cat, and a smaller one next to it. They looked like the spotted ones you showed though. there were no others around anywhere aside from those 2. so it really confused me as to what they were. when i poked the smaller one and opened it, it was a mustard color with the appearing of old dry foam, which turned to dust as i poked it. the dust scared me as i didn't know if it carried any sort of poison so we left immediately. judging by your video I assume it was merely an old puffball gone bad. Thank you for the information! i learned something new today.

[@thederb720]

You were right--the smaller one was an old one and the yellowish dust was its spores--not poisonous. Did you poke or open the big one? If it was pure white inside it would have been quite a find but if the inside was at all yellowy, it would have been too old.

[@thederb720]

Thanks for the compliment! The giant ones are unmistakable--no poisonous lookalikes for them...

[@VirgieAchaso]

Wow that’s a big wild mushroom . It’s can eat? Nice sharing this video.

[@thederb720]

yes, you can eat it!

[@brandonmurphy4154]

I feel so educated on puffball mushrooms now thanks for this video!

[@thederb720]

I hope you can find a giant one!

[@thederb720]

I'm envious! For some reason I haven't found any this year...

[@oddsource]

You have a news voice! Great commentary to mushrooms very good information.

[@thederb720]

+oddsource Thanks! Hope you can find some "puffys" of your own!

[@svetlanikolova5557]

+Blanche Cybele Derby are those able to grow in other countries? 4 climate zones or what climate do they grow in?

[@gooman989898]

dope ass rhymes at the end

[@MickeyD2012]

And those jams at the beginning? Lady, where do you get your music?

[@thederb720]

The song "Mushroom Season's Here" is from an album called "Mushroom World" by Steve Roberts.

[@thederb720]

Also featured at the beginning was the song "Puffballs" from the CD "Fungal Boogieman." Steve Roberts song is also on a CD (opps! I used the old term-- album.)

[@chrisquick7160]

I found some basketball size ones while I was working in the forest today. Came across this video, and I will be checking tomorrow to see if they are puffballs. I'm hoping that they are!

[@thederb720]

Usually there are no poisonous lookalikes if a mushroom is that size so there's a good chance you've found some. Cut one open to check there are NO gills & that the inside isn't yellowish or too soft...

[@poisondaddy]

I subscribed for the bars at the end video 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Good informative video too

[@thederb720]

Thank you!

[@pegpinard6680]

A really good video! Thanks.

[@thederb720]

Thanks

[@catfishredneck88]

thanks. I like morel hunting in the spring. I have seen these many times in my days but always thought they were poison. im gonna walk down the railroad tracks this fall. ive seen many there in the past. thanks for the video.

[@thederb720]

I will try to keep posting. It takes me a while to film & edit as I like to show plants in various stages of growth. In the next few days I should have a YT vid on on "Galinsoga" (aka Quickweed). Watch for it...

[@monkeybeer00]

Just last week I mowed over a ripe huge puffball! Dang! I never knew you could eat them I'll have to talk to some local experts to see if that was the right kind to eat. I would love to try it!

[@goodhomestv]

Great Video! Thanks for making this.

[@thederb720]

I appreciate your compliment!

[@likestohunt758]

I was wondering what those were all my life. Thank you.

[@cornfusedatbest6693]

Very informative, thank you for the video!

[@thederb720]

Glad you like it.

[@thederb720]

Right now! Especially after it rains. They're most plentiful in Sept-November here in Massachusetts.

[@hughgabin8068]

what is the song at the very beginning? "you can feel it in the air, mushroom seasons here"

[@thederb720]

The song is"Mushroom Season's Here" by Steve Roberts from the CD "Mushroom World." I believe you can get his songs from iTunes?

[@jonasbarry8979]

Great info on usage , processing and storage. I just collected a soccer ball sized one and this video was exactly what I needed. Kudos to Egon Spengler in one of the other comments. Bang on lol

[@thederb720]

Did you enjoy it? Hope so!

[@derrickscott4888]

Thanks for this info!!

[@thederb720]

Glad to be of help.

[@Paulamoon100]

I love the cat! Gorgeous!

[@thederb720]

so do I--he's an excellent model!

[@thederb720]

Thanks for your support & sub! Glad you liked my video.

[@ClownWhisper]

What a great video! thank you.

[@thederb720]

Thank you so much!

[@floridafishing123]

I really like your video. It was clear and simple. Unfortunately, there seem to be no puffball in Tampa, Florida :( I luv to eat mushroom. Thanks again for the video.

[@andreabertuzzi4097]

great video, on point and informative. Puffballs are also one of the very few mushrooms that can be safely eaten raw - I remember when I used to go mushroom picking with my dad back in the day we used to pick the small young ones, peel them and eat them as snacks while out in the woods. Happy times :) You're right that french toast is the best way to cook them though. I also heard you can cut them into thin sticks and deep fry them (sort of like french fries) but never tried that.

[@thederb720]

I usually advise people not to ear mushrooms raw because some get upset stomachs but clearly you survived the experience & have fond memories of doing it! Deep frying--as much as it makes everything taste better--is not a particularly healthy way to go; but I suppose for a special occasion it would be ok. Guess I"ll stick with French toast (which is also fried), just not in as much fat...

[@meowmeowimacat3046]

Blanche Cybele Derby i ate a raw golden oak shitakie mushroom once😳 not good times

[@MrCntryjoe]

central il.old dump site, honeysuckle bushes and hedge a few black locust relatively low area, thick cover. this bloom is in fall every year

[@thederb720]

Thank you so much for your support & positive feedback! I try to make my vids informative and artistic as well. I appreciate your sub too!

[@thederb720]

I've yet to find a giant one this year. I keep looking in spots where they usually appear, but so far, no luck...

[@LissaAus]

Great video, thank you. Still not sure if this means Puff Balls in general are edible. And as I'm in Australia ours might be different to yours. I refereed to my book, Australian Subtropical Fungi, but it doesn't talk about edibility.

[@CampingforCool41]

Puff ball is a common name that can probably refer to multiple different types of mushrooms. Try identifying it with the scientific name, then you’ll know whether it’s the same mushroom.

[@twinsmm1]

When I was growing up, we used to find these in the woods by my parents' house. They're yummy. We'd just cube them up and saute. The next time i find one, I'll try the French toast thing.

[@thederb720]

You must have had parents who knew their mushrooms…when I was growing up, the only mushrooms my parents would eat were those from the supermarket.

[@carditem6216]

Great video, thank you!

[@thederb720]

My pleasure! I just found a giant puff and am trying to find various ways to use it all…

[@toddieinaustin]

That was so interesting and informative. I've only seen the giant puffball at it's reproductive stage. I always wondered what kind of mushroom it was. I loved to stomp on them when I was a kid to see the "smoke" come out of them. Thanks for the video :-)

[@rueporter2253]

Whoa,never saw one that huge. 😊 Yesterday I was sitting in my woods on my tarp watching the moon come out. Very cold, 🥶 but worth the chill. I dozed for a bit, woke up an a small puff ball was blown right up next to my feet. 😉 The mother plays with me like that a lot. I simply live your channel. So concise and to the point. Bravo 👏 friend 💜🕯️.

[@thederb720]

Synchronicity? Maybe you’ll find a big one soon…though if you live in the New England area, that probably won’t occur until the summer or fall…thanks for your support; your kind words inspire me to make more videos ( which take a long time to do, but I still enjoy doing them!)

[@rueporter2253]

@@thederb720 yeah. I occurs when I'm on the path. An I'm in middle pa. Much respect an gratitude for the work. It may just save a life. 🕯️💜

[@invicwetrust]

great video!

[@WhiskeyTango15]

mushrooms are delicious, love the video. Subscribed

[@haven252]

also one question!! what happens if you eat a puff that is a little darker white or greyish ? why is not edible ?

[@thederb720]

Its the INSIDE skin --once you cut it, it should be white, not yellowish or brownish.

[@JuanSalvoElEternauta]

Great video!

[@thederb720]

Thanks!

[@Liberty309]

I have one of these grow in the same spot in my yard every year . The thing is massive . I never knew it was edible . I usually pick it and take down the road to the nature preserve where they put it in one of there display cabinets .

[@thederb720]

Now you can try eating it!

[@dalecorra8744]

EXCELLENT VIDEO........I AM SHOUTING TO PARALLEL THE HUGENESS OF THE PUFFBALL................I AM NOW MAKING A MUSHROOM SCARECROW THAT RESEMBLES MY BALD UNCLE. TYVM for an AWESOME VIDEO. You learn something new everyday.

[@aleksandramakari]

I had fun stomping on these, but the spores were green clouds?

[@thederb720]

They are very fine & powdery-greenish brown...

[@jamesmatteuzzi8732]

Just found one and was wondering about it. This article is very informative, the ones i found were yellowish on the inside. So too old. But i wouldn't have known that if you didn't go into such depth. Thank you

[@thederb720]

Keep watching-- some new ones may appear after a rain. Let the old one stay so yo can stomp on it to release 1000s of spores!

[@thederb720]

It always wise to be cautious about new foods--especially with mushrooms that's why I give lots of info . Keep looking, maybe you'll find a fresh one...

[@thederb720]

Sometimes it's little things that will clue you as to whether something is ready to eat or not...glad you were able to use the information I gave.

[@mandimayes]

Looks so yum!!! I never see these in Tennessee :( I wish I could buy one somewhere!

[@thederb720]

Keep looking! they're supposed to grow all over the US.(except in the desert).

[@norasayedsayed64]

thank you for your nice video i found under a tree in egypt and search for it alot now i ,ll eat it happyly

[@thederb720]

Wow! It was in Egypt; guess its spores are seeding them around the world!

[@thederb720]

Thanx for the compliment! I'd love to see what that scarecrow looks like...

[@benchkey]

Used to find these while walking through the woods, would bring it home and the family would have them at dinner. YUM! They don't keep well so freeze or share.