Nanhua Termite Mushroom

Nanhua Termite Mushroom

　　Nanhua Termite Mushroom is a specialty of Nanhua County in Chuxiong Prefecture, Yunnan Province. The mushroom features a snow-white color, tender flesh, a fragrant aroma, and a crisp texture, making it a famous wild edible fungus.

　　The termite mushroom is the fruiting body of the termite mushroom species in the family Tricholomataceae. It is one of the treasured varieties among edible fungi. As recorded in the *Qian Shu*: “The termite mushroom grows in shallow grass in the seventh month of autumn. Initially, when it first emerges from the ground, it resembles a bamboo hat, then gradually spreads out like an umbrella. Before long, it fans out resembling chicken feathers — hence the name ‘chicken’; because it emerges from the soil, it is called ‘termite mushroom.’” The flesh of the termite mushroom is thick, plump, and fine-textured, with a sweet, fragrant, and crispy flavor. It contains essential amino acids, proteins, fats, as well as various vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, riboflavin, and other nutrients. There are many ways to enjoy the termite mushroom — it can be served as a single ingredient dish or paired with vegetables, fish, meat, and all kinds of delicacies. Whether stir-fried, deep-fried, pickled, pan-fried, mixed, simmered, grilled, braised, steamed, or made into soup, its taste remains fresh and delicious, earning it the title of “king of mushrooms.” Termite mushrooms are mainly produced in several provinces in southwestern and southeastern China, as well as in some regions of Taiwan.

　　According to *Compendium of Materia Medica*, the termite mushroom has the effects of “enhancing flavor, refreshing the spirit, and treating hemorrhoids.” During the Ming Dynasty, Yang Shen once compared the termite mushroom to the nectar of paradise, describing its delicate texture and the combination of crisp, fragrant, fresh, and sweet flavors — an experience unforgettable after just one taste. The termite mushroom has a neutral nature and sweet taste, offering benefits such as nourishing the gastrointestinal tract, treating hemorrhoids and bleeding, benefiting the stomach, refreshing the mind, and treating hemorrhoids. It can help treat symptoms such as spleen deficiency, poor appetite, indigestion, and hemorrhoidal bleeding.

　　Nanhua County in Yunnan Province boasts abundant wild fungus resources and has long been honored with titles such as “China’s Hometown of Wild Fungi,” “China’s Gourmet County of Wild Fungi,” and “Kingdom of Wild Fungi.” In recent years, the production of wild fungi in Nanhua has developed rapidly. In 2011, the trading volume reached 5,456.7 tons, with a transaction value of 284 million yuan. However, the lack of standards and regulations has affected the industry’s ability to grow stronger.

　　It is understood that Nanhua has established local standards for six varieties of wild fungi: matsutake, truffles, porcini, termite mushrooms, dried fungus, and morels. These efforts aim to secure more “say” in the wild fungi industry and promote the transformation of Nanhua’s wild fungi from “mountain produce into goods, goods into premium products, and premium products into high-end offerings.” This will help establish the title of “Kingdom of Wild Fungi” as a well-known and high-quality brand.