WILD EDIBLE MUSHROOM USAGE BY THE URBAN AND RURAL POPULATION IN DIFFERENT REGIONS OF THE WORLD, COMPARED TO THE REGION OF VARNA-BULGARIA

Abstract

Purpose: Wild edible mushrooms are used worldwide and in Bulgaria as well. This inquiry investigation aimed at evaluating some mushroom usage practices by inhabitants in towns and villages in the Region of Varna, Bulgaria. Material/Methods: We carried out a study of 200 adult individuals, 100 males and 100 females, on the territory of the Region of Varna using anonymous inquiry with a set of 12 concrete items about wild edible mushroom usage. Statistical data processing was performed using descriptive and correlation analysis. Results: There was a domination of the negative attitude towards the wild edible mushrooms among the respondents from the towns, the villages and all the respondents as a whole on the territory of the Region of Varna. The inhabitants in the villages used more commonly cooking than those in the towns, and the inhabitants in the towns dried more seldom fresh mushrooms than those in the villages. Freezing was very rarely made use among all the respondents. There were statistically significant correlations between main town residence, on the one hand, and wild edible mushroom traditional usage, including cooking, drying, preservation and freezing, on the other hand. Conclusion: This inquiry investigation revealed some peculiarities of the attitudes towards wild edible mushrooms among the urban and rural population in the Region of Varna and the extent of usage of common mushrooms in dependence on espondents’ main residence.