SeeCalifornia.com

Mushrooms have gained popularity in the U.S. as healthy foods that can potentially aid in weight loss and digestion. As a source of vitamins B, C and D, mushrooms also have been attributed with lowering blood pressure, serum cholesterol and possibly preventing cancer (results of City of Hope’s cancer research.) In 2,000-year-old Chinese texts there’s reference to medicinal use of the bitter tasting lingzhi mushrooms. The wonders of mushrooms are emerging, offering hope for a natural source to benefit humans. With over 2,000 types of mushrooms, less than 5% are actually edible.

At California’s upcoming Memorial Weekend mushroom festivals in Morgan Hill and McCloud visitors can explore mushrooms through samples and educational information. Morgan Hill Mushroom Mardi Gras May 24-25, 2014 boasts a location which ranks second in the nation–more than 60% of California mushrooms are grown in Santa Clara and Monterey counties. McCloud’s mushroom festival held May 24-25 celebrates the wild mushroom hunting that occurs every spring in and around that city. See calendar of event information.