Why is Matsutake expensive? How to eat Matsutake

Matsutake is a very expensive mushroom food. There is a dish made with Matsutake in the state banquet. The reason why Matsutake is expensive is inseparable from many factors. So why is Matsutake a "noble food"?

Why is Matsutake expensive?

As the saying goes, "scarcity makes things valuable." In addition to its health benefits, the rarity of Matsutake is an important reason why it is expensive. Let's look at the following factors.

(1) Growth cycle

Different mushrooms have different production cycles, and the growth cycle of matsutake is up to 300 days, which means it can only be picked once a year, while oyster mushrooms can be picked 4-6 times in two months. This comparison shows the rarity and preciousness of matsutake.

(2) Growth environment

The growing environment of mushrooms also affects the value of mushrooms. Common oyster mushrooms and shiitake mushrooms can be cultivated in various parts of the country by imitating their production environment, but matsutake mushrooms can only grow in high-altitude cold areas such as Yunnan and Sichuan. The limitations of the growing environment mean that its production cannot be as large as that of oyster mushrooms and shiitake mushrooms.

(3) Cultivation techniques

Humans have been cultivating mushrooms such as Oyster Mushroom for a long time, and the cultivation technology is relatively mature; however, mushrooms such as Matsutake cannot be cultivated artificially, which results in the inability to supply Matsutake on a large scale.

(4) Health value

It is said that the hairs on the surface of Matsutake contain highly effective anti-cancer substances, which is a unique advantage of Matsutake compared to other mushrooms. Nowadays, people pay much attention to healthy living, which is also one of the reasons why Matsutake is so expensive.

How to eat Matsutake

Different schools of mushrooms have different ways of eating

There are two main schools of mushrooms. One is the strong school represented by porcini mushrooms, which are best mixed with chili and garlic. The other school is the watery and elegant mushrooms such as matsutake and chicken mushrooms, so you must avoid strong flavors when cooking, otherwise you will not be able to taste the deliciousness of the mushrooms.

When cooking, you should also pay attention to the temperature control. Mushrooms are very afraid of being overcooked. Once they are over-baked, they will immediately become extremely rough. So when eating matsutake, since it is a safe and non-toxic mushroom, do not over-fry it. Keep it just slightly raw. In fact, matsutake itself can also be made into sashimi and eaten raw.

Should Matsutake be washed?

Matsutake must not be soaked in water.

The soaked and washed mushrooms can easily fill up the pot of tap water when cooking. Secondly, use a knife to carefully scrape off the dirt on the mushroom stems, and then wipe them with wet paper. If you really touch the dirty parts, just rinse them with water. Finally, dry the washed mushrooms in the shade. Keeping the mushrooms dry will give them the best flavor.