The Otomí-Mexica Forest in Temoaya, State of Mexico shelters the treasures that can only be found in this month of 'hongosto' thanks to the month's rains. As part of an immersive trip organized by Voortus, we went to this natural reserve among pines, lagoons, and valleys to collect and admire the mushrooms that do not reach the city.
The Otomí-Mexica Forest is "one of the most important green lungs of the country", and is located in the Sierra de las Cruces, a couple of hours drive from Mexico City. This protected green zone is where the Lerma River flows, which, with the August rains, makes the landscape even more beautiful thanks to its lagoons and wild flowers and plants.
During this hike of more than five hours, the different mushrooms that are typical of the Valley of Mexico crossed our path: porcupine ear, psathyrella candolleana, plúteo cervino and the colorful family of Amanitas.
Amanita are those mushrooms you thought you'd never get to see beyond their sterile emoji form 🍄, much less surrounded by bright green; with their incandescent red and white dots on the head that paralyze insects, Amanita muscaria are the most precious jewel of 'hongosto'. Their cousins, Amanita rubescens, and Amanita caesarea, are more opaque, almost made to be lost and not found.
Although there are many species of mushrooms that should not be plucked, there are others that, when plucked, help the spores spread throughout the forest. As we walked along we met people who collect edible mushrooms to sell during 'hongosto', and who trade their collection just outside the park - which is why it is rare for many of these to reach the city's markets.
To conclude this experience, Voortus prepared a Thai menu in collaboration with Makan, the Roma restaurant, which included hot noodles and sticky rice with mango for dessert.
We thank the Voortus team and their guides for this experience that is possible to live during the month of August. For more information please contact them directly at @voortus.
