Tag: Calvatia gigantea

Giant puffball mushrooms can grow up to 20 inches in diameter and are indeed edible, provided they are young, fresh, and properly identified. This immense size is a distinguishing feature, but it's crucial to understand the rules of harvesting to avoid dangerous lookalikes and prevent gastrointestinal distress from old specimens.

Giant puffball mushrooms (Calvatia gigantea) are a delicious and nutritious wild edible, but only when harvested young and identified correctly. These large fungi are low in calories and fat while providing essential nutrients, making them a healthy addition to a forager's diet. However, consuming mature, discolored, or misidentified specimens can be dangerous, with toxic lookalikes posing a severe threat.

A 100-gram serving of raw giant puffball mushroom contains approximately 20 to 40 calories, making it an incredibly low-energy food. This fact makes you wonder, **how many calories are in a puffball?** and what other nutritional benefits does this unique fungus offer as part of a healthy diet?