How to store fresh matsutake, and what is the difference between it and almond mushroom?

Matsutake is a precious natural wild edible mushroom. It mostly grows in woodland with few nutrients and relatively dry conditions, and it emerges in autumn, but the yield is not large, so it is very precious. After picking it, it must be stored well. So how do you store fresh matsutake? What is the difference between it and almond mushroom?

1. Introduction to matsutake:

1. In what season is matsutake available?

Matsutake is generally available in autumn, but it can be eaten in all four seasons; it is just that matsutake in the other seasons is preserved by refrigeration, so the taste is not as good as in autumn.

2. Where does matsutake come from?

Matsutake mainly comes from Japan, Korea, the United States, Canada and the Nordic countries. Among them, Japan is the main producing area of matsutake and also the main consuming country of matsutake. In China, it mainly comes from Jilin, Anhui, Taiwan, China, Sichuan, Gansu and other provinces.

2. How do you store fresh matsutake?

Method 1: Freezer storage

Put the harvested matsutake, with roots and soil, into a plastic bag, then place it in the freezer compartment of the refrigerator for storage. In this way, it can be kept for about one year. Alternatively, wash the matsutake clean, drain the water, put it in a bag and place it in the freezer compartment of the refrigerator.

Method 2: Refrigerator storage

Clean the matsutake, put it into a plastic bag and place it in the refrigerator compartment. In this way, it can be kept for about 7-8 days.

Method 3: Slice and sun-dry

Wash fresh matsutake clean, drain the water, cut it into slices and dry them in the sun. In this way, it can be kept for a very long time. When you want to eat it, take it out and soak it in clean water. However, it is best to finish eating it within the first few days; after being stored for a long time, the taste changes.

3. What is the difference between matsutake and almond mushroom?

Difference 1: Different growing environments

Matsutake grows in forest areas of the temperate and cold temperate zones at an altitude of about 3000 m, and it can only grow in primeval forests without any pollution or human intervention. Almond mushroom grows in a high-temperature, humid and ventilated environment, and it is a saprophytic fungus that grows on grassland with livestock manure in summer and autumn.

Difference 2: Different places of origin

Matsutake is mainly distributed in Yunnan, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan Province, Danba County in the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, and Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture. Almond mushroom originated in Brazil and Peru. At present, the almond mushrooms sold on the market are basically artificially cultivated edible mushrooms.

Difference 3: Different families and genera

Matsutake belongs to the Basidiomycota phylum, Tricholomataceae. Almond mushroom belongs to the Agaricaceae, and it is a completely different fungus from matsutake.

Difference 4: Different appearance

The stem and cap of matsutake are well proportioned, not large at the top and small at the bottom. Its shape is umbrella-like, with bright color. The cap is brown, and the stem is white. Both have chestnut-brown fibrous tomentose scales. The center of the cap is slightly convex, and the stem is thick and firm with a fine, dense texture. Almond mushroom has a large cap and a small stem, very uneven, with a black cap and white stem. The cap is flat and spread out, with a flat center at the top, and the stem is white and cylindrical.

Difference 5: Different smell and taste

Matsutake has a rich, special aroma, and its taste is extremely moist and smooth. Almond mushroom, on the other hand, has an almond fragrance and a crisp, tender taste.

Difference 6: Different nutritional value

Matsutake contains various unsaturated fatty acids, protein, dietary fiber, amino acids and multiple vitamins and other nutrients. It also contains double-stranded matsutake polysaccharides, matsutake polypeptides and matsutake alcohol, and has effects such as anti-cancer and anti-tumor, improving immunity, preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases, protecting the liver, promoting gastrointestinal function and anti-radiation. The nutritional value of almond mushroom is not much different from that of common fungi.

Overall, fresh matsutake can be stored in the freezer or refrigerator compartment, or sliced and sun-dried. However, for the best taste, it is best to finish eating it within three days. Although matsutake and almond mushroom differ by only one character in name, the two differ in certain aspects such as family and genus, appearance, growing environment and place of origin, so be careful when buying and do not mix them up.