Move over, Pokémon Go! A new collecting craze is captivating Chinese social media, and it’s not digital creatures but mushrooms that are the hottest finds. Young enthusiasts are foraging for rare mushrooms like morels, black tiger palm mushrooms, milk-caps, and termite mushrooms, showcasing their discoveries on platforms like Xiaohongshu, China’s version of Instagram.
The race to find the rarest fungi is fierce, with Yunnan province standing out as a prime location. Yunnan, along with Sichuan and Zhejiang, boasts ideal conditions for mushroom growth. Known as the “kingdom of plants,” Yunnan is home to around 900 mushroom varieties, including 36% of the world’s edible fungi. The region produces 90% of China’s fungi, particularly during the rainy season from June to September.
Xiaohongshu posts reveal proud mushroom hunters posing with their colorful finds, from the dark brown black tiger palm mushroom to the crimson caps of the blackening brittlegill and the deep teal of the green-head mushroom (Russula virescens). Some of these mushrooms are highly valuable: termite mushrooms, chicken mushrooms, and blackening brittlegill can fetch up to $17 per pound.
The most coveted find is the ganba fungus, also known as the “lord of the fungi,” which sells for $30 per pound due to its rarity and high altitude growing conditions. However, the matsutake, or pine mushroom, is the priciest of all, costing up to $70 per pound due to its scarcity and nutritional benefits.
This viral foraging trend has inspired local tourism, with operators offering mushroom tours, hiking trips, and mushroom-focused meals. Tour packages, typically lasting five to six hours, cost around 298 yuan ($42) per person, including a meal featuring local mushrooms. The rise of such experiences reflects a shift in Chinese travel preferences, with younger generations seeking personalized adventures and new discoveries.
However, mushroom foraging can be risky. Many enthusiasts post questions like, “Is this mushroom edible?” or “Is this one poisonous?” Local governments advise foragers to only eat mushrooms classified as safe by experts, as mushroom poisoning, though rare, can occur. Foraging in Yunnan also reveals the presence of psychedelic mushrooms like Psilocybe ruiliensis, known for containing the hallucinogenic compound psilocybin.
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