Do you know Matsutake?

“Matsutake” , comes from the words  “matsu” and “take”, respectively -  pine and mushroom.  In written form, the  character for “ta-ke”  means ” kinoko”  or mushroom.

We may be familiar with , shiitake, maitake, enokidake… but not everyone can eat the” King of Mushrooms- Matsu-take”

Why?   Take a look at the photo below 

Yes, your eyes are okay.  You are reading the correct price !   And with today’s US $ exchange rate at 92 , this basket of Matsutake costs US$ 913.00  !!

Matsutake is very expensive because it is very hard to find.

According to the free encyclopedia, “Matsutake grow under trees and are usually concealed under fallen leaves and/or the duff layer.   It forms a symbiotic relationship with the roots of a limited number of tree species. In Japan it is most commonly associated with Japanese Red Pine.  Matsutake are hard to harvest and therefore the price is very high.”

Yes, the  price of  “the King of Mushrooms”  in the  Japanese market is highly dependent on quality, availability, and origin.

In Autumn,  “Matsutake ” is a delicacy.   Some people  buy the Matsutake from Canada, Korea and China because they are much more reasonable.

But the true Matsutake-fans, will always love to eat the freshly harvested Japanese Matsutake because of it’s special aroma and flavor. The people who love these look forward to Autumn.

Usually these are, celebrities, the rich and famous … But more often the politicians who would go to the “Ryo-tei” *  are the ones who love Matsutake.

These aroma filled  mushrooms are either steamed, grilled, fried, and more.  Matsutake in sukiyaki and tempura are very popular.  Also, Matsutake rice and dobin mushi (steamed in a teapot), and soup are also other delicious dishes.

Luckily, we have had the experience of tasting  it at one of the restaurants.  Look at the photo, the smallest piece, divide that into four, and that was the size of what we had    in our sukiyaki ;   and  Y tells me, that piece alone cost a hundred dollars..  we were both so nervous just thinking about how expensive the matsutake was, that we hardly remember its  taste….   but anyway, thank you to our very good friend for that memorable and best sukiyaki dinner. 

—–

Ryotei – pronounced ryoutei – is a type of luxurious traditional Japanese restaurant.   In the past, traditionally, they  only accept new customers by referral and feature entertainment by geisha.  Now,  this is not always the case.  Ry?tei are typically a place where high-level business or political meetings can take place discreetly.