7 Expensive Types Of Mushrooms To Know About (2024)

Mushrooms are renowned for their unique texture and flavours, capturing the culinary enthusiasts. Mushrooms, a kind of fungi, can decrease the risk of cancer, maintain cholesterol, and help stimulate a healthier gut. A major source of vitamin D is obtained by consuming different types of mushrooms.
There are up to 10 million mushroom varieties worldwide, which makes them one of the most diverse groups of organisms across the globe. You must have seen and tasted different types of food mushrooms like button mushrooms, oyster mushrooms and beech mushrooms.
But did you know that while there are types of mushrooms that can be foraged anywhere, there are also types of food mushrooms that have to be extensively cared for, and cost a bomb? Among so many mushroom varieties, come explore with us the 7 most flavourful and most expensive mushroom varieties that money can buy. An expensive mushroom can go upto thousands of dollars, and these types of mushroom varieties are often only used in Michelin starred restaurants by super skilled chefs.

Here are some expensive mushrooms you should know about

7 Expensive Types Of Mushrooms To Know About (1)

Chanterelles are one of the most expensive mushroom varieties, also known as Girolles, and are popular and delicious types of food mushrooms. This expensive mushroom is prized for its distinct flavour and unique experience. These types of mushroom grow in clusters during the early autumn in some regions of North and Central America, Europe and Asia. Chanterelles are rich in nutrients and people have been using these in medicine for several centuries.
Price: Rs 2,489- 3,319 ($30-$40) per pound

2. Morel

7 Expensive Types Of Mushrooms To Know About (2)

Also known as sponge mushrooms, Morels are highly expensive types of food mushrooms. Morel mushrooms, which contain a texture like a honeycomb, have an earthy flavour and are an expensive mushroom variety. China is the only country which has grown this expensive mushroom which makes types of mushroom rare to find globally.
Price: Rs 2,904 - 4,152 ($35-$50) per pound

7 Expensive Types Of Mushrooms To Know About (3)

Porcini, also known as Punny Buns, is the most expensive mushroom in the world as they are renowned for their earthy, nutty flavour and meaty texture. These types of food mushrooms grow in forests across the world during summer and fall in association with trees like oaks and pines. Favoured by chefs all across the world, Porcini are also some of the most famous mushroom varieties.
Price: Rs 3,319 - 5,808 ($40-$70) per pound

4. French black truffles

7 Expensive Types Of Mushrooms To Know About (5)

French Black Truffles also referred to as Perigord Truffles is an expensive mushroom which is native to southern Europe. Black truffles are one of the most expensive mushroom varieties, which symbolises luxurious dining around the world. These types of food mushrooms are expensive and are known for their intense flavour and aroma. Chefs use Perigord Truffles in pasta, risottos, and scrambled eggs worldwide.
Price: Rs 82,980 - 1,24,470 ($1000-$1500) per pound

7 Expensive Types Of Mushrooms To Know About (6)

Matsutake Mushrooms, also known as Pine Mushrooms, are the most expensive types of food mushrooms which are found in East Asia, Europe and North America. These mushroom varieties are famous for their spiced aroma and meaty texture.
The unique flavour and aroma of Matsutake mushrooms make them particularly valued in Japan and some of the most expensive mushroom you can anywhere in the world.
Price: Rs 82,980 - 1,65,961 ($1000-$2000) per pound

6. White truffles

7 Expensive Types Of Mushrooms To Know About (7)

Known for its culinary treasures in the world, white truffles are some really expensive mushroom varieties, revered for their intense flavour and aroma. These types of mushroom are also called Alba truffles. The intense garlicky and earthy aroma of white truffles is what makes them considered some of the most luxurious types of food mushrooms.
Price: Rs 3,31,922 ($4000) per pound

7 Expensive Types Of Mushrooms To Know About (9)

The Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau are home to Yartsa Gunbu, also referred to as caterpillars infected by fungus, which possess highly medicinal properties making sure it becomes the most expensive mushroom in the whole world. These types of mushroom are parasitic mushrooms which are grown by infecting caterpillars.
Price: Rs 16,59,610 - 41,49,025 ($20,000-$50,000) per pound

Photo: Shutterstock

7 Expensive Types Of Mushrooms To Know About (2024)

FAQs

7 Expensive Types Of Mushrooms To Know About? ›

Matsutake, one of the most expensive mushrooms, can cost up to $1,000 per kilogram. The Italian White Alba Truffle is the world's most expensive mushroom, with a price of $330 per gram. In Japan, people pay up to $600 for a single Matsutake mushroom. Morel mushrooms can cost approximately $254 per kilogram.

What are the most expensive mushrooms? ›

Matsutake, one of the most expensive mushrooms, can cost up to $1,000 per kilogram. The Italian White Alba Truffle is the world's most expensive mushroom, with a price of $330 per gram. In Japan, people pay up to $600 for a single Matsutake mushroom. Morel mushrooms can cost approximately $254 per kilogram.

What is the most luxurious mushroom? ›

1. Kalahari Truffles. Truffles have a reputation of being some of the most expensive types of fungi.

What are the expensive mushrooms found by pigs? ›

Traditionally in Europe truffles were harvested by female pigs because the volatile compounds ripe truffles release are similar to pheromones emitted from a male pig. These days however dogs are used because while they have to be trained, they do not eat the truffles as readily and are much easier to manage.

What are the most valuable mushrooms to grow at home? ›

Some easier to cultivate and sell but high value mushrooms are maitake, lion's mane, and depending where you are shiitakes. The mushrooms that are the most profitable tend to be mushrooms going for the supplement or health field rather than culinary.

What is the rarest mushroom? ›

The most expensive mushroom in the world is the Yartsa Gunbu mushroom because of how rare it is and the belief that it's an aphrodisiac.

What mushroom smells like cinnamon? ›

A close relative of Pacific Northwestern matsutake grows in the pine forests in Japan, where people have picked matsutake for hundreds and possibly thousands of years. The flavor and aroma of the two species are practically identical and are often compared to cinnamon.

What is the black expensive mushroom? ›

Tuber melanosporum, called the black truffle, Périgord truffle or French black truffle, is a species of truffle native to Southern Europe. It is one of the most expensive edible fungi in the world.

What is the most expensive Japanese mushroom? ›

Matsutake Mushrooms: The most expensive mushrooms from Japan

Because of their fragrant aroma and absurdly high price, they are considered the “King of Mushrooms.” Expensive? How Expensive? A piece of domestically produced matsutake can cost around $100 ($1,000 per pound).

What mushrooms are worth more than gold? ›

With their wonky trunks and grubby appearance, you wouldn't think that matsutake mushrooms are a contender for the world's most expensive ingredient, but those grown domestically in Japan can fetch sums that rival black truffles.

Can you grow black truffles? ›

Thanks to their high level of performance, these plants allow you to produce your own black truffles. Please note that depending on the age of the plant and the soil chosen to plant it, you will have to wait between 5 and 8 years to harvest your first black truffles.

What's the most poisonous mushroom? ›

Amanita phalloides is one of the most poisonous of all known mushrooms. It is estimated that as little as half a mushroom contains enough toxin to kill an adult human.

Which is the most expensive mushroom? ›

Porcini. Porcini, also known as Punny Buns, is the most expensive mushroom in the world as they are renowned for their earthy, nutty flavour and meaty texture. These types of food mushrooms grow in forests across the world during summer and fall in association with trees like oaks and pines.

What mushrooms can you grow for money? ›

The best mushrooms for small-scale production are profitable, easy-to-grow species like oysters and lion's mane mushrooms. In our opinion, oyster mushrooms are the most profitable mushrooms for beginners.

Why is truffle so expensive? ›

Pound for pound, truffle is one of the most expensive foods you can buy. The reason behind such high costs is the scarcity of the produce, truffles are seasonal, extremely difficult to grow, and take many years to cultivate. They also have a short shelf life.

Why is lion's mane mushroom so expensive? ›

Fresh lion's Mane mushrooms are highly sought after but can be expensive due to their limited availability. Dried lion's Mane mushrooms are a convenient option, as they have a longer shelf life and can be rehydrated before use.

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