Jianchuan Blue-head Mushroom

Jianchuan Blue-head Mushroom

　　Blue-head mushrooms grow in pine or coniferous forests, broad-leaved forests, or mixed woodlands. Their growing season is every summer and autumn, with increased yields after rainfall. The blue-head mushroom is the fruiting body of the fungus *Russula virescens*, belonging to the fungi kingdom. The cap is 3–12 cm wide, initially spherical, quickly becoming flattened hemispherical and gradually expanding, often slightly concave in the center, not sticky, and ranges from light green to gray. The flesh is white, has a mild taste, no special odor, and is delicious when stir-fried.

　　Blue-head mushrooms are a popular edible mushroom among locals. They are primarily found in the “Three Parallel Rivers” UNESCO World Heritage area in western Yunnan, with widespread distribution in Jianchuan County. These mushrooms grow in an extremely pristine environment, mainly in grassy areas within forests, and fruit between June and September each year. They are greatly enjoyed by local residents. The mushrooms are rich in protein, amino acids, plant fiber, and other nutrients. They have a tender texture and a long-lasting aroma with a strong natural fragrance. When first emerging from the ground, they resemble spheres but gradually flatten into a disk shape. The cap is firm, bluish-green in color, and covered with bluish-brown scales on the surface.

　　Blue-head mushrooms contain nutrients such as protein, carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin B2, and niacin.

　　Blue-head mushrooms are rich in 17 kinds of amino acids (accounting for 11.45%), 11 kinds of minerals, as well as riboflavin, ash content, and niacin (32.4%), among which niacin is particularly abundant. According to *Illustrated Materia Medica of Southern Yunnan*, “Blue-head mushrooms have a sweet, bland, and slightly sour taste, are non-toxic, and are used to treat blurred vision. They help purge liver heat, disperse heat and relax qi, and are especially beneficial for women experiencing emotional stagnation.”

　　Blue-head mushrooms are a prized edible fungus, with a sweet, bland, and slightly sour taste that is non-toxic.

　　At the start of the rainy season each year, blue-head mushrooms from Jianchuan County gradually come onto the market, making them a highly popular mountain delicacy.