INTRODUCTION: Wild edible mushrooms are used worldwide and in Bulgaria as well. Recent ethnomycological studies indicate that wild edible mushroom usage depends on the educational level of the populations.
AIM: The purpose of this study was to assess certain mushroom usage practices by inhabitants with different educational level in the region of Varna, Bulgaria.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed an anonymous inquiry study of 200 adult individuals, 100 males and 100 females, living in the region of Varna by using 12 specific facts about wild edible mushroom usage focusing on the respondent’s educational level. Statistical data processing was done by means of descriptive and correlation analysis.
RESULTS: There was a prevalence of the positive attitude towards wild edible mushrooms among respondents from Varna region regardless of their level of education. The respondents with primary and secondary education were more likely to cook fresh mushrooms than those with higher education. Drying, preservation, and freezing were rare among all of the respondents. There was statistically significant correlation between a respondent’s educational level, on the one hand, and traditional wild edible mushroom usage including cooking, drying, preservation, and freezing, on the other hand.
CONSCLUSION: This study demonstrated some interesting characteristics of the attitude towards wild edible mushrooms among the participants with secondary, elementary, and higher education from the region of Varna and the extent of usage of common mushrooms in relation to their educational level. Further ethnomycological research could contribute to the improvement of the awareness of these mushrooms among the population in Bulgaria.
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