La Pobla de Lillet experienced an intense weekend with the celebration of the 35th edition of the Mushroom Fair, which has evolved into a three-day festival. The event's success is attributed to the good mycological season in the Berguedà region, where humid forests yielded a large quantity of fungi. Although the main season saw an abundance of saffron milk caps (rovellons), enthusiasts hope to extend the campaign with later varieties like the black llanega and the fredolic, provided the weather remains cool and rainy.
“"This year there are many more saffron milk caps than the rest of the selection. Below the saffron milk caps, the most abundant are the porcini, the chanterelle, and the yellow foot."
Lluís Boixader, from the Associació Micològica del Berguedà, noted that mushroom enthusiasm is growing not only among food lovers but also on the scientific side, with many participants using guides and apps to identify species. Regarding the market, saffron milk caps were sold cheaper (at 28 euros per kilo) due to their abundance, although many specimens were worm-eaten, necessitating sales in pieces.
“"It is because of climate change and humidity that they are so worm-eaten this year."
Other species like yellow foot chanterelles were priced at 20 euros per kilo, while the scarce black llanega reached 40 euros per kilo. The fair's program included activities ranging from a mycological talk by Lluc Escànez to the 25th edition of the Mushroom Cooking Contest. The festive element culminated with performances by the Castellers de Berga and the Castellers de Caldes de Montbui in the Plaça de l'Ajuntament, and the popular tasting of mushrooms and meat prepared by the volunteer team led by Baltasar Garcia, which served about 180 portions.
