Mushrooms are not plants, but representatives of a separate biological kingdom, some of which have long been used in medicine, and cooking, because they have many useful properties. They contain protein compounds necessary for a person, about 18 different amino acids. In 100 g of mushrooms, there is about 4 g of protein. They are also rich in vitamins: A, group B, PP, D, E, as well as trace elements: potassium, zinc, calcium, etc. They contain beta-glucans, which support the immune system and have anti-cancer effects.
All edible mushroom species are good for humans, but some are considered delicacies. The most expensive mushrooms in the world with unique properties cost thousands of dollars. We will tell you why they are so valuable in our article.
Table of Contents
Most Expensive Mushroom In The World
10. Birch bolete
These are dim, brown-colored mushrooms that can be found in deciduous forests, most often in birch forests. There are many varieties of this mushroom, and they are all considered edible but differ slightly in taste.
It has white flesh, young mushrooms inside are tender and dense, but then their flesh becomes friable. Boletus contains a lot of easily digestible carbohydrates and proteins, vitamins, fiber, a full set of amino acids necessary for humans.
In terms of its nutritional qualities, it resembles meat. The mushroom contains vitamins C, B1, B2, PP, E, a lot of potassium, manganese, and calcium. Dietary fiber, entering the stomach, cleanses it, collects all harmful particles.
Prices for the mushroom depend on the place of collection, on the weather conditions (there are few of them in dry times), on the size, and can vary from 20 dollars 1 kg.
9. Penny Bun (White mushroom)
Another common name is boletus. He has a convex cap with a diameter of 7 to 30 cm, its color is from red-brown to almost white. The pulp is juicy-fleshy, strong, in young mushrooms it is white, does not change color after cutting. The leg is massive, thick (up to 7 cm), from 8 to 25 cm high. It grows in deciduous and coniferous forests, most often next to pines, spruces, birches and oaks, where the trees are more than 50 years old.
The porcini mushroom is one of the best in taste, therefore it is called the noble king. This is not to say that it is the most nutritious or useful, because in its composition, it is not particularly different from others. But it is very tasty, it stimulates digestion, it contains substances that have antitumor properties.
Porcini mushrooms are pickled, dried, frozen. Depending on the procurement method, prices can be different, from 2 to 3 dollars per piece.
check out Mushrooms that grow Underground with pictures and names.
8. Shiitake (Lentinula Edible)
It is called not only Shiitake or Lentinula edible but also the Japanese forest mushroom. It can be found on dead hardwood. The mushroom, or rather its caps, is used in Korean, Chinese, and Japanese cuisines, most often dried, but soaked before use.
The healing properties of Shiitake were known back in the Ming Dynasty, but it is still considered effective in the treatment of impotence, obesity, and high blood cholesterol levels. Mycelium extract helps cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Mushrooms have long been grown all over the world, at the beginning of the 21st century they were produced up to 800 thousand tons per year. Therefore, they are not so expensive, from 25 dollars per kilogram of dried mushrooms.
7. Red Reishi
It is called Lacquered Tinder, but in China and Korea it is known as ” ling-chji “. This can be translated as ” mushroom of immortality .” In Japan, it is called ” reishi “, which means “mushroom of spiritual power.”
It grows at the base of weakened or dead trees and is ubiquitous. His hat is reddish in color, but it is also brown-violet.
Its value is medicinal properties. Red Reishi has been used in medicine for more than 2 thousand years. Recent studies have shown that biologically active substances contained in this mushroom have antiviral, antitumor, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory effects, and stimulate the immune system.
A kilogram of this mushroom costs about 30 dollars or more.
6. Maitake (Curly Griffin)
This mushroom is called differently: Maitake, Curly Griffola, ram, dancing mushroom. It is considered a rare species and is listed in the Red Book.
You can find it from late June to late September, it grows in deciduous forests, most often found at the base of old oaks, occasionally – maples, beeches, and chestnuts. It grows very quickly, fruiting bodies reach a diameter of 80 cm, weigh up to 10 kg. They consist of thin caps with a diameter of 0.5 to 5 cm.
It is edible and has a pleasant nutty flavor. In addition, the mushroom is very useful, has bactericidal properties, eating it helps to cope with inflammation and pain. 1 kg about 105 dollars.
5. Matsutake (Row shod)
Translated from Japanese ” Matsutake ” means ” pine mushroom “, because it has a specific scent, reminiscent of the smell of this tree. In Chinese, Japanese and Korean cuisine, it is highly regarded for its exquisite taste. He has a brown hat, the flesh is white, and it smells like cinnamon.
It hides under the foliage of trees, at the very foot, on dry and barren soil. Most often it can be found in the dense-flowered pine, in the fir, in the ordinary pine. Matsutake bears fruit abundantly, but it is very difficult to find it because it hides under a layer of foliage. Therefore, it is very expensive. You can find edible Mushrooms that grow on trees.
Over the past 50 years, due to the pine nematode, the number of Japanese mushrooms has decreased, therefore, no more than 1 ton per year is harvested in this country, and the price for 1 kg of mushrooms can go up to 2 thousand dollars.
It is grown in China and Korea, such Matsutake is cheaper, fresh mushrooms – from $ 50 to $ 120 kg. They say that Chinese mushrooms cannot be compared to wild-growing Japanese ones, although they are not bad either.
4. Summer truffle
Summer truffle is also called the black truffle, Russian. It, as the name implies, is black in color, of different shades, from brown to lilac, covered with black warts, becomes whitish and brown with age.
The taste is sweetish, reminiscent of a nut. The fungus has a strong odor that is similar to that of algae. It is found under the roots of beech, birch, oak, hornbeam, fruit bodies are underground.
It is considered a delicacy, but less valuable than other types of truffles. Costs around 500 – 600 euros per kilogram, and if grown in the wild, even higher. You may also like to read about Truffle Mushrooms Types.
3. Black truffle
Black truffle is also called French. It is reddish in color, and later becomes coal-black, when pressed, it becomes reddish.
The black truffle has hard flesh. It is initially light, grayish, or pinkish with a marbled pattern, but then it becomes dark. Smells strong. The taste is pleasant but slightly bitter. It is found next to oak trees, at a depth of several centimeters to half a meter.
Its cost is from 1 thousand dollars per kg.
2. White truffle
In shape, it is somewhat similar to a potato tuber, smooth, at first whitish, then yellowish-brown. The white truffle smells strong, the taste is nutty. One of the most expensive gourmet mushrooms, but in Spain, France, Italy it is classified as poisonous. Proper heat treatment is necessary so that it does not harm.
We’ll have to pay from 7 to 9 thousand dollars per kg. But this is not the limit. In 2007, Stanley Ho, an American billionaire, paid $ 330,000 for a truffle weighing about 500 g. One customer who did not want to reveal his identity bought a 750-gram mushroom for € 100,000 at the 79th White Truffle Festival in Alba.
1. Yarsagumba (Chinese Cordyceps): Most Expensive Mushroom In The World
Yarsagumba or Chinese Cordyceps costs from 50 to 120 thousand dollars per kg. But this is not an accident, since collecting that many mushrooms is not easy. It grows in the mountains of Tibet, at an altitude of 4 km and above.
It is a parasitic fungus that grows in the bodies of the caterpillars of the butterfly Hepialus Americans, eating its living host. Caterpillars gradually die, and a mushroom sprouts from its body. It is collected by the inhabitants of Nepal and India.
It is used in Tibetan medicine and has healing properties. It is said to act as a powerful aphrodisiac.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Chinese Cordyceps and truffles are the most expensive mushrooms in the world. They can sell for thousands of dollars per pound, and because they are so rare, they are often used as a luxury items. Although they may be out of reach for most people, truffles are an interesting and unique addition to any dish.
