You must have eaten the commonly found mushrooms but have you heard about the most expensive mushroom in the world? Well, if not, then I am here to tell you all about it. Mushrooms or toadstools are fleshy fungi typically produced above the ground, on soil, or sometimes fallen trees.
You must be wondering what makes a mushroom expensive. Usually, how rare it is. The more challenging a mushroom is to find or cultivate, the pricier it becomes. They are used extensively in cooking in many Chinese, Korean, European, and Japanese cuisines.
A number of species of mushrooms are poisonous. Separating edible from poisonous species requires meticulous attention to detail. Therefore, it is best not to go wandering around in the wild and picking random mushrooms.
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Most Expensive Mushrooms in the World
Since most of these varieties cannot be mass-produced and can grow only for a certain period of time, they are more scarce. This raises the price even more. How many of these most expensive mushrooms to eat have you heard of?
Gucchi Mushroom
These mushrooms are often recognized by their spongy, perforated, yellowish-white caps, and honeycomb-like appearance. They are also called Morels. They grow naturally and are found rarely making it to the list of most expensive mushrooms.
Areas where morels grow are often kept secret. It is also said that these mushrooms grow in areas where lightning strikes during heavy rainfalls. These locations are shared exclusively with friends and family. This species of mushrooms can resurface yearly in the same location, providing a steady supply for those in the know.
Its rarity is accompanied by its culinary flavor and strong demand by chefs and restaurants from different parts of the world. Due to the challenge of acquiring morels, they are available only for a limited period each year. So, they tend to command a high price. It costs around $350 to $400 per pound.
Yartsa Gunbu
Usually found on the Tibetian plateau and the Himalayan regions of Bhutan, India, and Nepal, it is a fungus that grows on insects. Yes, you read that right. Yartsa Gunbu grows from the bodies of the ghost moth caterpillars.
They have the honor of being known as the most expensive fungus in the world. It is classified as a medicinal mushroom and has a long history of being used in traditional Chinese and Tibetan medicine as an aphrodisiac. Because of its heavy cost, it is also used as a status symbol of profound wealth.
Only a few people are willing to pay around $55,000 per pound for some mushrooms that grow out of caterpillars. Luckily, we have found a much cheaper alternative.
Cordyceps militaris can be easily cultivated on much more conventional growing mediums such as rice or soy without the need to sacrifice insects to get it. They also have abundant medical benefits such as respiratory, immune, and urinary support, anti-cancer treatments, and others.
Matsutake Mushroom
Matsutake mushrooms grow naturally in forests and hold great cultural significance in Japanese Culinary tradition. They are found rarely due to their specific growth conditions. It is a form of fungi that signals the beginning of Autumn.
Matsutake which means “Pine mushroom” in Japanese is prized in many other Asian countries for its distinct spicy flavor which is similar to that of cinnamon and cypress.
They have a distinct spicy smell and taste. Like with all other products, these mushrooms have varying degrees of quality. You will find the best-quality mushrooms at the beginning of the harvest season and they command the highest prices.
Prices range from $1,500 to $2,200 per pound. However, cultivation of this rare delicacy is being impacted due to the heavy climate changes. Because there are fewer trees, there are even fewer mushrooms beneath them.
Research is ongoing to develop methods to cultivate these mushrooms. But with the situation prevailing right now, the prices are touching the sky and the authorities have declared the Matsutake mushrooms as an endangered species.
Lion’s Mane Mushroom
Commonly known as the lion’s mane mushroom or old man’s beard, it is an edible mushroom that is found specifically in areas of North America, Europe, and Asia.
This mushroom can be identified by its elongated, white spines. To the untrained eye, it gives the appearance of a miniature mop or a tuft of white hair. The flavor is said to be similar to that of lobster or crab meat. You can eat these mushrooms raw but it is advised to cook them well before consuming as it enhances the flavor and texture.
Traditionally, these mushrooms were collected from the wild forests but now they can be conveniently cultivated in controlled environments. They have a slightly sweet yet savory flavor and a chewy meaty texture.
Aside from being used in various culinary applications, it is also desired for its medicinal properties. These mushrooms have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. While it is fresh, the market prices range around $10 per pound. However, the dried and powdered form of lion’s mane is valued considerably higher because of its use as an effective supplement.
Due to it being extremely scarce, it is one of the only four fungi to have the highest level of legal protection in the UK. this makes both picking and sale of it illegal according to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Chanterelle Mushroom
Chanterelle Mushrooms are one of the most popular wildlife mushrooms. They are funnel-shaped, rounded, and forked. Usually orange, yellow, or white in color they are fairly easy to spot, without many look-alikes.
Many of its species have a fruity aroma and often have a mild peppery flavor. Over the years, they gained popularity due to their inclusion in French Cuisine in the 18th century.
You might ask, why these are so expensive? Well, because they need specific growing conditions. A heavy rainfall followed by several days of heat and humidity is what helps them grow the best. You will spot them growing in clusters around the end of spring. Due to them being completely seasonal, they disappear when autumn arrives.
However, you must cook them well before consuming them. Eating raw can cause illness and discomfort. If you happen to get your hands on them, saute them in butter, oil, or cream and eat them with the asian hot pot dipping sauce.
Also, for a fun fact, the Golden Chanterelle mushroom became the official mushroom of the state of California in January 2024. Being one of the seasonal mushrooms, they belong to one of the most expensive families of edible mushrooms.
Shittake Mushroom
Shittake mushrooms are edible mushrooms that were first found in East Asia. they naturally grow in Europe, North America, and other regions of Asia. they are grown in specific conditions and take a longer time to mature.
Their texture and flavor make them a great substitute for meat in vegetarian recipes. They are readily available in many high-end supermarkets and grocery stores. In Japan, they are served in miso soup for its medicinal value.
These mushrooms grow in groups on decaying wood of chestnut, oak, maple, mulberry, and other trees. Their relative ease of cultivation, whether indoors under controlled conditions or outdoors using logs contributes to their comparatively lower market prices. These are one of those species of most expensive mushrooms that you can grow at home if you follow the proper directions.
Although shiitake mushrooms are mostly grown as edible mushrooms, they are considered to have some medical benefits as well. Commonly, they are also known as black forest mushrooms, black mushrooms, golden oak mushrooms, and oakwood mushrooms.
Porcini Mushroom
This meaty mushroom is common in a lot of Italian dishes such as pasta, risotto, soup, and sauce. It is usually found in hardwood forests across Europe. They are most common in Italy, although they can be found in parts of North America as well.
Although it is sold commercially, it is extremely difficult to cultivate. It is available fresh in autumn throughout Europe and Russia. It is most often dried first, packaged, and then distributed worldwide. The best thing about this mushroom is that it retains its flavor after drying.
Porcini mushrooms have several names. They may be called “Penny Bun”, and they also go by the title of “King Bolete”. These Italian mushrooms are highly popular and valued edible fungi.
They have a robust, meaty, nutty flavor and a rich, umami-packed aroma. They are often located deep into the forests growing under certain trees and can be challenging to locate, contributing to their higher price.
Due to the limited availability of porcini and the effort involved in harvesting and preparing them, they are considered a gourmet ingredient. The scarcity of this fungi factors into the higher cost.
Black Trumpet Mushroom
Popularly known as the trumpet of the dead, black trumpet mushrooms are dark and trumpet-shaped. These mushrooms have a delicate and subtle smoky flavor.
Renowned chef Antonio Carlucci recommends eating them alone sauteed with butter and spices or adding them to sauces, soups, and stews.
A possible origin of the name “trumpet of the dead” is that the growing mushrooms were seen as being played as trumpets by dead people under the ground. This fungus is usually found in woods of North America, Europe, and East Asia. this species of mushroom can be found during the months of November to March.
Because of the mushroom’s black color, it easily blends in with leaf litter on the forest floor. Despite their unappetizing appearance, these mushrooms are plenty edible. These mushrooms are notoriously hard to find in the wild. Their dark color camouflages them perfectly with the forest floor. If you are on the hunt for them then experts recommend looking for small black holes on the ground to spot these mushrooms.
Chaga Mushrooms
These mushrooms have become popular over the last few years. Despite the mushroom’s native habitat and preferred rate of growth being cold and slow, they are wanted all over the world.
The fungi grow on birch trees in cold regions of North America and Europe. The reason for them being on the list of most expensive mushrooms is because of their extreme scarcity and the difficulty one faces in harvesting them. These mushrooms grow slowly and require specific external environmental conditions to thrive.
They have a dark and rough appearance resembling that of a burnt charcoal. Despite the burnt appearance, these mushrooms have great medicinal properties. They are highly valued for use in traditional medicine.
They are believed to contain powerful antioxidants that have immune-boosting properties. Consuming them may also help lower cholesterol and oxidative stress.
Chaga mushrooms are typically sold in various forms, including chunks, powder, and extracts. The chunks can be easily brewed into tea while the powder extracts can be added to smoothies, soups, or taken as supplements.
European White Truffle Mushroom
European White Truffle mushrooms are very regularly called the “diamonds of the culinary world”. These pricey mushrooms are known for their incredible taste and superb aroma. The high price of European White Truffles can be attributed to several factors.
These mushrooms are extremely rare and tough to find. The wild mushrooms grow in very few regions and require specific soil and climatic conditions. These difficult growing conditions with unpredictable growth patterns result in fewer truffles and a higher price.
In addition to this, the harvesting process is a labour intensive process. It relies on the hunter being skilled and accompanied by trained dogs to locate these buried treasures. In fact, these mushrooms are so desirable that people bid on these mushrooms on the black market.
The pungent aroma and delicate flavor of European White truffles are often described as loamy and musky. This further enhances their desirability.
The unique mushrooms often face a heavy demand from gourmet restaurants. All of these factors contribute to the hefty price tag associated with European White Truffles. They are priced at around $4,000 per pound (dried, fresh, or preserved) in 2024.
Final Thoughts
There are some truly rare mushrooms out there that cost thousands of dollars per pound or serving. But don’t let expensive mushrooms stop you from experimenting.
What makes a particular type of mushroom expensive is usually an inability to cultivate it. Wild mushrooms only grow during a certain part of the year and they are difficult to find. However, eating mushrooms does not need to be expensive.
Some varieties of mushrooms are known to enhance the experience in terms of flavors and supposed health benefits, but even the less expensive and widely available ones can bring a lot of flavor and excitement to the kitchen.
