With their wonky trunks and grubby appearance, you wouldn’t think that matsutake mushrooms are a contender for the world’s most expensive ingredient, but those grown domestically in Japan can fetch sums that rival black truffles. Why is it so expensive?
Matsutake mushrooms have been a delicacy in Japan since ancient times, as a long-running harbinger of autumn. These delicious mushrooms have even been mentioned in a seventh-century collection of Japanese poetry, showing their long-standing history of being enjoyed by residents of Kyoto and Nara alike.
When matsutake mushrooms make their brief seasonal appearance in September and October, you will see them neatly packaged into wooden cases to be sold at high-end supermarkets and department stores.
Prized for their meaty texture, earthy, piney taste and strong, spicy aroma, matsutake mushrooms are a shining star in kaiseki, ryotei and sushi restaurants. These fantastic fungi are also given as gifts to impress bosses and in-laws.
A single well-shaped matsutake can cost as much as 80 dollars, and even an average one will cost 40 dollars per stem. Their incredibly high value is a result of the rare conditions in which the matsutake mushroom can suitably grow. They hail from the roots of red pine forests, which have become increasingly scarce due to the invasion of a worm species. Extremely hard to grow artificially, they are a threatened species, pushing up the prices.
Matsutake mushrooms are so prized that Japan has now entered an era of matsutake fraud, whereby tiny slivers are used to inflate the mushrooms to inflate their weight and price. 20 years ago, matsutake mushrooms were cheaper and much more abundant, and were used liberally in the kitchen. Nowadays you’ll be lucky to get three-paper thin slices in your broth, as a special treat in a fine dining establishment.
For those who love matsutake but can’t afford the hefty price tag, a Japanese company has released a vial with the “essence of matsutake”, to be poured on top of ordinary mushrooms and give them that divine matsutake flavour.
Matsutake mushrooms can be eaten raw in the wild without being cooked, and some connoisseurs claim this is the best way to indulge in their full flavour and aroma. There are a variety of ways to cook matsutake mushrooms, but it’s best to keep it simple to preserve their flavour.
Would you fork out for these mushrooms?
FAQs
With their wonky trunks and grubby appearance, you wouldn't think that matsutake mushrooms are a contender for the world's most expensive ingredient, but those grown domestically in Japan can fetch sums that rival black truffles.
What is the most expensive mushroom in the world? ›
Yartsa Gunbu. The Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau are home to Yartsa Gunbu, also referred to as caterpillars infected by fungus, which possess highly medicinal properties making sure it becomes the most expensive mushroom in the whole world.
What percentage of mushrooms eaten are button mushrooms? ›
Button mushrooms, also called white mushrooms or white button mushrooms, are the most popular mushroom variety, making up 90 percent of the mushrooms consumed in the United States. They're also the least expensive, and have the mildest flavor, though they readily absorb the flavors that they're cooked with.
How many different kinds of mushrooms are there in the world? ›
The mushrooms we eat are generally composed of a stipe (stem), a pileus (cap), and lamellae (gills). There are, however, many morphological varieties of mushrooms and not all varieties have these features. There are approximately 14,000 different species of mushroom, many of which are inedible.
How much are golden chanterelles worth? ›
The general price range for chanterelle mushrooms can vary depending on these factors. On average, expect to pay around $20 to $40 per pound or $5 to $10 per ounce. However, prices can spike during peak season or if there are specific market conditions affecting supply and demand.
What's the most poisonous mushroom? ›
Amatoxins, the class of toxins found in these mushrooms, are thermostable: they resist changes due to heat, so their toxic effects are not reduced by cooking. Amanita phalloides is the most poisonous of all known mushrooms.
What is the most luxurious mushroom? ›
1. Kalahari Truffles. Truffles have a reputation of being some of the most expensive types of fungi.
What is the rarest mushroom in North America? ›
Yes, matsutake mushrooms grow in Eastern North America. The species found in Eastern North America is Tricholoma magnivelare, also known as the American matsutake. It is closely related to the Asian matsutake (Tricholoma matsutake), but it has a different flavor and aroma.
What is the most bought mushroom? ›
Button mushrooms
They are the most commonly consumed of all mushroom varieties. Did you know that button mushrooms actually change their name as they get older? They are just a younger version of the crimini mushrooms. And even older, more mature button mushrooms are the popular portobello mushroom.
Is it OK to eat button mushrooms? ›
However, before adding raw mushrooms to your plate, it's crucial to consider the potential downsides. For many commonly consumed varieties of mushrooms like button, oyster, and shiitake mushrooms, eating them raw is generally considered safe, even if they are easier to digest when cooked.
Mushrooms can protect your brain as you age.
They recommend eating at least five button mushrooms per day to reduce your risk of neurological illness in the future.
Which mushroom is best to eat? ›
Some of the mushrooms considered best for human health include chaga, lion's mane, reishi, turkey tail, shiitake, cordyceps and maitake. Often considered vegetables, mushrooms are neither plants nor animals. They belong to a unique kingdom of fungi.
What is the most exotic mushroom? ›
Lion's Mane Mushroom
With its unique appearance resembling a lion's mane, this mushroom stands out from the rest. Lion's Mane mushrooms have a subtle seafood-like flavor and a tender texture.
Which mushrooms can you eat raw? ›
Any mushrooms you can freshly purchase at a grocery store are safe to eat, whether raw or cooked. There are various types of raw mushrooms, including portobello mushrooms, white mushrooms, enoki mushrooms, and cremini mushrooms. Eating raw mushrooms may seem more convenient, but it isn't always the best choice.
Can dogs eat mushrooms? ›
Dogs can eat mushrooms bought from a supermarket or other shop, preferably organic, unseasoned and raw. But you should always avoid any wild mushrooms. As there's such a vast variety of mushrooms and they're so difficult to tell apart, you should treat any wild mushroom with caution as some are incredibly poisonous.
Why are matsutake mushrooms so expensive? ›
A piece of domestically produced matsutake can cost around $100 ($1,000 per pound). They are very expensive because they can only be harvested in their natural habitats. Unlike shimeji or shiitake mushrooms, matsutake mushrooms cannot be grown in farms or factories.
What is the rarest color of mushrooms? ›
Blue and Purple mushrooms: These rare colors are symbols of uniqueness and mystique, adding to their allure in both the natural world and human culture.
What is the most expensive fungus in the world? ›
The most expensive medicinal fungus is the caterpillar fungus, also known as yartsa gunbu (Ophiocordyceps sinensis), which grows in the Himalayas. The fungus is formed when a parasitic fungus infects and mummifies a caterpillar, and it can cost as much as $63,000 (£51,600) per pound (450 grams).
Which wild mushrooms are edible and most prized? ›
Hen-of-the-woods, oyster, and sulphur shelf mushrooms are safe, delicious, and nutritious wild varieties prized by mushroom hunters. While these and many other mushrooms are safe to consume, eating varieties like the death cap, false morels, and Conocybe filaris can cause serious adverse health effects and even death.
