What makes this rare mushroom so special that it comes with a hefty price tag?
The mushroom we are referring to is known as Indus Mushroom or Rain Mushroom, scientifically classified as Phallus indusiatus. It typically appears in tropical regions. In Vietnam, it is commonly referred to as bamboo mushroom. This name comes from the fact that bamboo mushrooms only grow around the roots of bamboo, reed, and rush plants. This type of mushroom is a parasite that utilizes the decomposed roots, stems, and leaves of dead bamboo as its nutrient source. Notably, bamboo mushrooms only exist for about 10 hours.
This mushroom only grows around the roots of bamboo, hence it is named bamboo mushroom. (Image: Sohu).
Bamboo mushrooms have very high growth condition requirements. They typically thrive in natural bamboo forests that grow on black and yellow soil to meet their high nutritional needs. Additionally, bamboo mushrooms require high temperature and humidity levels, flourishing in environments with warm and moist conditions.
Bamboo mushrooms have a peculiar shape, featuring a creamy white stem and a cap that is either black or brown, adorned with a “skirt” of white tissue beneath the cap that resembles a white dress. Due to this appearance, they are also referred to as bride mushrooms or queen mushrooms. Initially, bamboo mushrooms resemble an egg, and as they mature, they develop into a net-like structure.
The underside of this mushroom’s cap has an attractive white curtain. (Image: Sohu).
Bamboo mushrooms reproduce by attaching their spores to the bodies of insects as they crawl inside the net structure. The spores are then dispersed, and if they encounter suitable conditions, they will develop into new mushrooms.
The best time to harvest bamboo mushrooms is after it rains, around 7 to 9 AM. If left beyond 10 hours, they will wilt or be consumed by insects and worms due to the appealing aroma of the bamboo mushrooms.
Not only do they have a unique appearance, but in China, bamboo mushrooms are also classified as one of the eight rare plant species. They are highly nutritious, rich in protein, and low in fat. Additionally, compared to other mushrooms, bamboo mushrooms are abundant in amino acids, vitamins, and inorganic salts, contributing to liver health, enhancing sexual function, nourishing the brain, calming the mind, and strengthening the body. The active compounds in bamboo mushrooms can supplement essential nutrients for the human body and enhance immune function and disease resistance.
Bamboo mushrooms are among the mushrooms with high nutritional value, used to support the treatment of various diseases. (Image: Sohu)
Bamboo mushrooms have a sweet, rich flavor and are quite delicious. They are visually appealing, flavorful, and aromatic. In China, bamboo mushrooms are a key ingredient in a famous dish called “Bamboo and Lotus Dish.” This dish is well-known and has received much praise from both locals and foreign diners. Notably, the “Bamboo and Lotus Dish” is often served at royal banquets.
Bamboo mushrooms are the main ingredient in the royal dish known as “Bamboo and Lotus Dish.” (Image: Sohu).
In China, although bamboo mushrooms are widely distributed in Heilongjiang, Hunan, Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, and Tibet, they are not cheap on the market. The price of one kilogram of bamboo mushrooms in China has reached millions of dong. Nevertheless, bamboo mushrooms continue to be a highly sought-after delicacy by many.
In Vietnam, bamboo mushrooms are quite common in the wild, however, there are currently no facilities or centers that cultivate this mushroom for commercial purposes.
