Xiaojin Matsutake

Xiaojin Matsutake

Xiaojin Matsutake is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　Xiaojin Matsutake is a specialty of Xiaojin County in the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. With its vibrant color, large size, tender and thick white flesh, delicate texture, and excellent taste, it boasts a rich aroma and high nutritional value. It entered the international market in 1985 and has since become renowned both in China and abroad.

　　Matsutake (Tricholoma Matsutake [S. Ito et Imai] Sing), scientifically known as Tricholoma matsutake (commonly referred to as mushroom), belongs to the subphylum Basidiomycota, class Agaricomycetes, order Agaricales, family Tricholomataceae, and genus Tricholoma. It grows in alpine forest areas at elevations between 2,800 and 4,500 meters and is a rare, precious, and naturally occurring edible mushroom. Known as the "King of Mushrooms," it is the only wild mushroom that cannot be cultivated artificially, making it a natural green edible fungus. Matsutake is rich in protein, various amino acids, unsaturated fatty acids, nucleic acid derivatives, peptides, and other rare elements. Consuming it can strengthen vitality, nourish kidneys, improve brain function, boost intelligence, fight cancer, and also benefit the stomach and intestines, relieve pain, regulate qi, and dissolve phlegm.

　　Xiaojin Matsutake features a vibrant color and large size. It takes on an umbrella-like shape, with a brown cap and white stem, both covered with fibrous, velvety scales. The flesh is tender, thick, and white, with a delicate texture, excellent taste, and a rich aroma along with high nutritional value. It grows in the humus soil of oak forests in the high-altitude mountainous regions of Xiaojin County. The unclosed (unopened) form is considered the highest quality, while the open, umbrella-shaped ones are slightly inferior. Both have extremely high nutritional and economic value. It entered the international market in 1985 and has since become renowned both in China and abroad. Exported products are mainly fresh mushrooms, but they can also be processed into salted preserved goods with a long shelf life, allowing for flexible market timing. Under normal circumstances, the annual yield can reach around 30 tons. It is mainly distributed in towns and townships such as Chongde, Mupo, Fubian, Lianghe, Jiesi, Meiwu, and Rilong in Xiaojin County.