Ethno mycological Notes on the Use of Polypore Fungi in Domestic Production of Alcoholic Beverages in Bulgaria

Domestic production of alcoholic beverages in Bulgaria has long tradition and iswidespread throughout the country. The paper provides ethnomycological data related with the special colorationand maturation of national brandy named vernacularly as rakiya by using of polypore fungi which develop on mulberries. Thecoloration and maturation by Fomitiporia robusta was tested by the authors on domestically produced cherry-plum rakiya and was related with the presence of tannins proved during the study in this polypore fungus. The usage of other, similarly looking, hoof-like fungi with a tube hymenophore, which contain tannins with the same purpose by Bulgarian people is supposed but needs confirmation in future studies.

Keywords: brandy, Fomiti poriaro busta, mulberry, rakiya, tannins.