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Here, we love foraging and wild plants, we cherish botany and the kingdom of fungi. We want to take you on audio walks and inspire you with ideas to fill your plates.
The guest: Jean-Baptiste Cokelaer, aka JB Wild Forager
What could be more natural than inviting Jean-Baptiste Cokelaer, aka JB Wild Forager, the king of mushroom foraging? An explorer-pharmacist based since 2009 in Le Cateau-Cambrésis, the birthplace of Henri Matisse.
A graduate of the University of Lille, specializing in mycology and ethnobotany. In fifteen years, he has taken more than three thousand people on free guided walks. He collaborates with several chefs and helps develop recipes and beers flavored with mushrooms or plants.
In 2020 the book “Des Cueillettes et des Hommes” was published by Éditions de La Martinière, in collaboration with four chefs from Hauts-de-France. JB warned me that he talks a lot. His greatest addiction, apart from foraging, would be laughter. We’ll try not to disappoint him.
My questions
- What is a wild forager?
- How did you become interested in the kingdom of fungi? Why does it appeal to you?
- What are the health benefits of mushrooms?
- You’re also a pharmacist — what supplements do you recommend?
- What are your favorite mushrooms and how do you cook them?
- What precautions should you take when foraging?
- What do you think of apps that identify mushrooms?
- What seasons are best for foraging?
- What questions are you most often asked about mushrooms? And which ones would you like to be asked?
- What are your favorite edible wild plants?
- I’m passionate about lichens; are any of them edible?
- Would you share a recipe with us?
Resources for further exploration
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A podcast presented by Louise Browaeys, with Matthieu Brillard on technical production
