This one is pretty bad reporting from Ars IMO. As pointed out in the HN thread, they were serving raw morels, which are pretty well-known to be toxic (see first paragraph of wiki article). Add to...
This one is pretty bad reporting from Ars IMO.
As pointed out in the HN thread, they were serving raw morels, which are pretty well-known to be toxic (see first paragraph of wiki article). Add to that this happened at a place named “Dave’s Sushi” in Montana, which had some major food safety violations in the past, and this “journalism” is starting to take on quite a yellow hue…
The Wikipedia article was edited yesterday (March 17th) to include that line about the toxicity of morels, citing the incident at the restaurant in the article. It looks like previously there was...
The Wikipedia article was edited yesterday (March 17th) to include that line about the toxicity of morels, citing the incident at the restaurant in the article.
It looks like previously there was a line about potential toxicity, but it being included in the intro paragraph is new. Wiki Edit History
Morels contain a compound called hydrazine, which is toxic when consumed raw. There is nothing potential about it, and it's common knowledge among mushroom people. The wiki was just incomplete,...
Morels contain a compound called hydrazine, which is toxic when consumed raw. There is nothing potential about it, and it's common knowledge among mushroom people. The wiki was just incomplete, the incident didn't prove this in any way.
I mean I can’t speak to Wikipedia but I bought some dried morels online two months ago and the fact that they were toxic raw was absolutely something that turned up when I was shopping/looking at...
I mean I can’t speak to Wikipedia but I bought some dried morels online two months ago and the fact that they were toxic raw was absolutely something that turned up when I was shopping/looking at recipes. It’s not new information.
Another commenter already mentioned the recent Wikipedia page edits, they including information about the restaurant's safety violations, background on the research/testing done, additional...
Another commenter already mentioned the recent Wikipedia page edits, they including information about the restaurant's safety violations, background on the research/testing done, additional comments from the USDA, and advice on how to properly prep mushrooms.
Really not seeing much to back up the "pretty bad reporting" and "yellow journalism" claims. Care to elaborate?
The article is about how we as humans don't have much knowledge of morels, which leads to things like this. But that's not true. We do have the necessary knowledge of morels; it's just that people...
The article is about how we as humans don't have much knowledge of morels, which leads to things like this. But that's not true. We do have the necessary knowledge of morels; it's just that people don't do the necessary research on food safety.
If I'm understanding correctly, no definitive results came back from testing the morels. All things considered, I really don't feel like they're trying to push a narrative here. Sounds like we...
The USDA report emphasizes how little we understand about morels, noting that their taxonomy is confusing and many of the species in North America don't even have official names. "Their biology, nutritional sources, life cycle, and modes of reproduction are unusual and complex," the report noted. They're difficult to cultivate, and it's unclear why they seem to proliferate after forest disturbances, such as fires and tree death.
If I'm understanding correctly, no definitive results came back from testing the morels. All things considered, I really don't feel like they're trying to push a narrative here.
Sounds like we have a pretty good idea of what happened, but nothing definitive. Which I would not hesitate to describe as highlighting a gaps or weaknesses in our understanding.
I don’t at all deny that the author included the relevant information they should have at some point. However, punting on the very crucial detail that raw morels are a known danger until the...
I don’t at all deny that the author included the relevant information they should have at some point.
However, punting on the very crucial detail that raw morels are a known danger until the thirteenth paragraph is (in my view) clearly a conscious editorial decision to add FUD to a “bleeds-it-leads” type story for the purpose of engagement.
Put another way, they’re using the headline to vaguely hint to uninformed readers that ordinary (cooked) consumption of morels might present a serious risk of bodily harm, and then stalling as long as possible before dispelling that fear as an emotional hook to maximize readers’ time-on-site. It’s a classic clickbait tactic that puts Ars’ advertiser metrics ahead of their duty to provide clear and informative content to their readership.
At the start of mushroom season in the northern hemisphere, a reminder that the edibility rating of wild mushrooms in field guides apply to thoroughly cooked mushrooms (at sea level air pressure)....
At the start of mushroom season in the northern hemisphere, a reminder that the edibility rating of wild mushrooms in field guides apply to thoroughly cooked mushrooms (at sea level air pressure). Some mushrooms also require special preparation, like long cook times or pre boiling + discarding the cooking water.
This one is pretty bad reporting from Ars IMO.
As pointed out in the HN thread, they were serving raw morels, which are pretty well-known to be toxic (see first paragraph of wiki article). Add to that this happened at a place named “Dave’s Sushi” in Montana, which had some major food safety violations in the past, and this “journalism” is starting to take on quite a yellow hue…
The Wikipedia article was edited yesterday (March 17th) to include that line about the toxicity of morels, citing the incident at the restaurant in the article.
It looks like previously there was a line about potential toxicity, but it being included in the intro paragraph is new. Wiki Edit History
Morels contain a compound called hydrazine, which is toxic when consumed raw. There is nothing potential about it, and it's common knowledge among mushroom people. The wiki was just incomplete, the incident didn't prove this in any way.
Hydrazine as in the hypergolic propellant? Mushrooms are wild, I never would’ve expected to see hydrazine there of all places.
Yup, it fuels both rockets and cancers.
Good catch - thanks!
I mean I can’t speak to Wikipedia but I bought some dried morels online two months ago and the fact that they were toxic raw was absolutely something that turned up when I was shopping/looking at recipes. It’s not new information.
It is at least a good reminder that with morels, 'partially cooked' is not cooked enough.
Another commenter already mentioned the recent Wikipedia page edits, they including information about the restaurant's safety violations, background on the research/testing done, additional comments from the USDA, and advice on how to properly prep mushrooms.
Really not seeing much to back up the "pretty bad reporting" and "yellow journalism" claims. Care to elaborate?
The article is about how we as humans don't have much knowledge of morels, which leads to things like this. But that's not true. We do have the necessary knowledge of morels; it's just that people don't do the necessary research on food safety.
If I'm understanding correctly, no definitive results came back from testing the morels. All things considered, I really don't feel like they're trying to push a narrative here.
Sounds like we have a pretty good idea of what happened, but nothing definitive. Which I would not hesitate to describe as highlighting a gaps or weaknesses in our understanding.
I don’t at all deny that the author included the relevant information they should have at some point.
However, punting on the very crucial detail that raw morels are a known danger until the thirteenth paragraph is (in my view) clearly a conscious editorial decision to add FUD to a “bleeds-it-leads” type story for the purpose of engagement.
Put another way, they’re using the headline to vaguely hint to uninformed readers that ordinary (cooked) consumption of morels might present a serious risk of bodily harm, and then stalling as long as possible before dispelling that fear as an emotional hook to maximize readers’ time-on-site. It’s a classic clickbait tactic that puts Ars’ advertiser metrics ahead of their duty to provide clear and informative content to their readership.
Copy, I think I'm on your wavelength now.
At the start of mushroom season in the northern hemisphere, a reminder that the edibility rating of wild mushrooms in field guides apply to thoroughly cooked mushrooms (at sea level air pressure). Some mushrooms also require special preparation, like long cook times or pre boiling + discarding the cooking water.