Tam Truc Mushroom is one of the rarest mushroom species in Vietnam, alongside Ganoderma lucidum, Taiyang mushroom, and Shou Wang mushroom. The mushroom cap opens up like a “veil” worn by ancient beauties.
Tam Truc Mushroom.
The scientific name of Tam Truc Mushroom is Dictyophora indusiata. This mushroom is also known as the Queen Mushroom. When mature, the cap of Tam Truc Mushroom spreads out, looking like a “veil” of ancient beauties. Notably, the cap emits a foul odor that attracts various insects such as flies and mosquitoes.
Tam Truc Mushroom is considered a premium food. Extracts from this mushroom have the potential to prevent and treat various diseases, including breast cancer and gout.
Tam Truc Mushroom is distributed across Asian countries such as Japan, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, the Philippines, North Korea, and Vietnam. It can also be found in other continents, including the USA, Cuba, Brazil, the UK, France, Russia, Mexico, Australia, and East Africa. However, it is most commonly used in Chinese cuisine.
This mushroom is prevalent in provinces such as Heilongjiang, Jilin, Hebei, Shaanxi, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi, Fujian, Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, Tibet, Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hong Kong, although there are variations among them. In the southwestern provinces of China, the mushroom is more widely distributed and of higher quality.
In Vietnam, Tam Truc Mushroom can be found along rice fields, bamboo groves, or riverbanks. Specifically, it was first discovered growing wild in Long An province in 2004.
China is currently the largest producer of Tam Truc Mushroom in the world, primarily in dried form.
The Queen Mushroom is also listed among the 8 rare plant species of the mountains.
The harvesting process of Tam Truc Mushroom is quite intricate as it must be completed in about 10 hours. When the mushroom stalk grows to a certain extent, usually around noon, the “skirt” of the mushroom begins to open from the bottom. However, by 4-5 PM, they start to retract and fall off, so harvesters must cut the mushrooms as early as possible. Additionally, humidity plays a crucial role in the expansion of the “mushroom skirt.” If humidity exceeds 95%, they open normally, but if it is too low or the temperature is high, the skirt cannot unfold, affecting quality and flavor.
Not only does it have a beautiful appearance, but the Queen Mushroom is also listed among the 8 rare plant species of the mountains. It boasts a high nutritional value, being rich in protein and low in fat. Compared to other mushroom types, Tam Truc Mushroom is exceptionally rich in amino acids, vitamins, inorganic salts, protein, carbohydrates, fiber, and antioxidants. It is known for its benefits in liver nourishment, sexual enhancement, energy boosting, beauty improvement, brain health, calming effects, and overall body strengthening.
The active compounds can provide essential nutrients to the human body, enhancing immunity and disease resistance. Moreover, the mushroom protects the liver, reduces abdominal fat accumulation, lowers blood pressure, decreases blood lipid levels, and aids in weight loss. Modern medical research has also shown that Tam Truc Mushroom contains components capable of inhibiting tumors, preventing, and supporting cancer treatment.
Tam Truc Mushroom is usually sold in dried form.
Since ancient times, the Chinese have utilized this ingredient in cooking. It is regarded as a rare delicacy, often served to the emperor and used in royal dishes, notably in the famous dish “Zhu Tong Fu Rong” (Tam Truc Mushroom Soup). The mushroom has a fragrant taste, a thick and soft texture, and can be boiled with lean meat to create a delicious broth or stir-fried with pork or chicken. Tam Truc Mushroom has a sweet flavor, likened to chicken, which is why it is also referred to as “vegetable chicken.”
In Hong Kong, this mushroom is a popular ingredient for noodle soups, hot pot, or stir-frying. A famous restaurant for bamboo mushroom is Tan Zai San Ge in this special administrative region. Typically, bamboo mushrooms are dried, and when purchased, they are soaked in water for cooking soups, which results in a sweet and light flavor that is easy to eat.
One of the popular dishes in China is Tam Truc Mushroom soup cooked with chicken. The dried mushrooms are soaked in cool water for about three hours or until softened, then cleaned and trimmed of tough edges, cut into segments about three centimeters long, and drained. Meanwhile, chicken and pork are boiled with salt and seasoning powder, then the soaked mushrooms are added. You can also add chopped scallops if desired, simmering over medium heat and then reducing the heat for about 20 minutes. Tam Truc Mushroom soup is a familiar dish during festive occasions.
Tam Truc Mushroom soup cooked with chicken. (Photo: wokandkin).
