One of my companions found a massive one on our last venture into the forest. Photo by Adam Mullett.

VILNIUS — “Grybauti” is not the newest nickname for the country’s newest President Dalia Grybauskaitė — it’s the word for one of the Lithuanian’s favorite pastimes, mushrooming.

Going mushrooming is as simple as the name would suggest — picking mushrooms. You have to go into the forest to do it. Grab a knife, a basket, some long pants and heavy-duty socks (to protect against ticks, spiders and scratches) and you are ready to go.

Usually you will need a car and you will need to go deep into the forest to find a good spot that hasn’t already been covered by others. It’s nothing like Bear Grylls has to endure, but you may have to walk a good 20 meters from the car. People with poor orientation skills should not leave the sight of mushrooming companions lest they risk getting lost in the forest.

It is of vital importance that you know what sort of mushrooms are edible. Eating some species can make you sick or even kill you. You should go with a Lithuanian friend who knows which are good and which are not. Even then you should consult a mushroom guide when you get home. Remember that all mushrooms in the forest are edible, but some you can only eat once.

When you are picking mushrooms, check to see if it is still fresh and not rotten. You can do this by cutting the stem of the mushroom and looking for holes. If the mushroom is full of holes, it means it is rotten and you can just leave it.

When you get home, peel the tops of the mushroom off with a knife, wash the dirt off, boil them and they are ready for eating. Lithuanians typically prepare them in one of two ways, either with sour cream and dill or just frying them up for a good old village feast.

P.S. While out in the forest also keep an eye out for cowberries. They’re in season at the moment.