Nature's flavourful treasure trove

After a long sunny summer, nature has turned into a smorgasbord of delicious flavoursome berries and fruits. And you can pick them. In public forests you can pick anywhere, while in private forests you can only take what you can reach from paths and roads. As a rule of thumb, you can pick enough to fit in a carrier bag.

This could be blackberries, blueberries, wild apples, rosehips and elderberries - and much more.

There are around 300 old Danish apple varieties, and in the apple orchards at Det Grønne Museum at Djursland you can find 281 of them. Almost the entire country is represented by one or more apple trees - including East Jutland, of course, with at least 33 fantastic varieties.

In the Aarhus Region, we celebrate fresh, local produce, homemade specialities and good taste. The region offers plenty of passionate producers who prioritise quality and good taste. There are several places to visit that are definitely worth a visit!

From local breweries, coffee roasters, winemakers to dairies - the Aarhus Region offers flavour experiences for everyone. Especially in the summer, you can find stalls and farm shops throughout the Aarhus Region where you can buy all kinds of fruit, vegetables and berries and explore the wonderful world of food.

Around the Aarhus Region, you'll find a lot of local producers that utilise the juice and power of the apple. You can visit Mariendal Mosteri in Djursland, which produces apple juice, apple ice wine, apple cider and wines made from grapes from Åkjærsgård, at the foot of Mols Bjerge.

At the fruit winery, Cold Hand Winery in Randers, they use apples for their award-winning fruit wines. You can taste the delicious fruit wines in their winery and buy them in their shop. HORN CIDER cultivates the natural and authentic, where you can taste the handmade fruit wine and cider made from old Danish apple varieties.

Mushroom hunting is a popular activity all year round, but especially after rainy periods there are good chances of finding mushrooms. Autumn, with the months of August, September and October, is the peak season for finding edible mushrooms in Danish forests and pastures - especially where horses graze.

Beware of poisonous mushrooms

Although there are many edible mushrooms, it's important to be aware of the poisonous mushrooms that also thrive on the forest floor. To be on the safe side, the Danish Nature Agency (Naturstyrelsen) recommends that you bring a mushroom book or accompany an experienced mushroom hunter when you go mushroom hunting. Remember that some poisonous mushrooms can be fatal if eaten.

Equipment for mushroom hunting

When mushroom hunting, it's a good idea to bring a small knife to cut the mushrooms free and a basket so the mushrooms don't rot in a damp bag.

Rules for mushroom hunting in private forests

In private forests it is allowed to collect mushrooms along the paths, but it is important to respect the owners' rules. You are only allowed from 6am to sunset, and if you want to collect mushrooms outside the trails, you need the owner's permission.

7 tips for mushroom hunting

1. Only eat mushrooms you know - if in doubt, leave them alone.
2. Only consume edible mushrooms and don't taste them if in doubt.
3. Only use fresh mushrooms for cooking.
4. Always start with a small portion of a new edible mushroom. Some people are hypersensitive to mushrooms, so if you only eat a small amount, you will feel the hypersensitivity slightly.
5. Do not eat wild mushrooms raw. Wild mushrooms should be cooked or boiled thoroughly.
6. If you suspect mushroom poisoning, seek medical attention or go to the emergency room. Bring any leftover mushrooms or food scraps with you so they can be analysed.
7. Do not pick mushrooms close to busy roads or industry, as mushrooms absorb heavy metals, which are toxic to the body in large quantities.

Source: Danish Nature Agency