The 10 Most Expensive Mushrooms: Can they be grown？

This post discusses the world's most expensive mushrooms and where they may be found. The aim is to tell readers about the 10 types of expensive mushrooms, and if they can be cultivated by mushroom growers or by a small enterprise.

(Photo by Andrea Cairone on Unsplash)

The 10 most expensive mushrooms are as follows:

White truffle (Tuber magnatum) 

Distribution: Italy and France; Can be grown: No

White truffles can be grown, but it is difficult due to the specific soil conditions needed for them to thrive. French scientists have recently discovered how to cultivate white truffles commercially, and these steps can also be taken to grow them in the United States.

Truffles' earthy and deep flavor can improve any meal, making it a favorite among chefs and food lovers.

Black truffle (Tuber melanosporum) 

Distribution: France, Italy, Spain; Can be grown: Yes

Black truffles can be grown, but it is a difficult process. It requires inoculating saplings with truffle spores and then harvesting the truffles in 6 to 7 years. There are companies that sell pre-inoculated trees to make the process easier, but it still requires a lot of effort in the beginning.
Black truffles are primarily found in France, Spain, Australia, and North America. They are grown in temperate areas of Mediterranean Europe, western North America, and Australia. 

The majority of truffles can be found in Italy, France, and the Pacific Northwest, while Summer truffles (Tuber aestivum) can also be found in Northern Italy and parts of the United Kingdom. Black truffles grow with oak and hazelnut trees in the Périgord region in France, while Burgundy truffles can be found throughout Europe. 

Matsutake mushroom (Tricholoma matsutake) 

Distribution: Japan, China, Korea; Can be grown: Very difficult

Matsutake mushrooms cannot be cultivated and are harvested from naturally occurring habitats in forests of EM coniferous trees, mainly Pinus densiflora. In the US, matsutake mostly grows along the Washington coast, although mushroom foragers sometimes find them in Northern California, Idaho, and other areas. Matsutake mushrooms are a seasonal fungus that grows through early to mid-winter, depending on the region. Research is ongoing to develop a successful cultivation method for matsutake mushrooms.

Porcini mushroom (Boletus edulis) 

Distribution: Europe, North America; Can be grown: Yes

Porcini mushrooms are found in hardwood forests across the Northern Hemisphere, including parts of Europe, North America, New Zealand, and South Africa. They require specific species of trees to grow and are slow growing. They typically grow in small clusters near trees and are commonly found in coniferous forests such as pine and spruce. Porcini mushrooms can be cultivated, though it is difficult and time-consuming. If you know their characteristics well, they are fairly easy to cultivate and harvest once the right conditions are met. Porcini mushrooms can also be grown at home in the right conditions. 

Chanterelle mushroom (Cantharellus cibarius) 

Distribution: Europe, North America, Asia; Can be grown: Yes

Chanterelle mushrooms cannot be cultivated and are notoriously difficult to grow due to their symbiotic relationship with other plants. They can only be foraged, which is why they are so expensive when bought. 

Morel mushroom (Morchella spp.) 

Distribution: Worldwide; Can be grown: Yes

Morel mushrooms are distributed in the Northern Hemisphere among leaf litter around dead elm, Sycamore, apple, and Ash trees. While it is possible to cultivate morels, the process is difficult and unreliable. Morel mushrooms have been successfully cultivated in China since 1990, with farmers and scientists making progress in their production. 

• Read more on: How to Grow Your Own Morel Mushrooms at Home? 

Lion's mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) 

Distribution: Worldwide; Can be grown: Yes

Lion's Mane mushrooms are distributed in deciduous wooded areas of Europe, North America, China, and Japan. They can be cultivated indoors with a hardwood substrate or outside on logs, though they can be difficult to achieve full colonization. Growing Lion's Mane mushrooms requires Liquid Culture techniques and cereal grains like rye, wheat, and millet. 

Golden oyster mushroom (Pleurotus citrinopileatus) 

Distribution: Worldwide; Can be grown: Yes

Golden oyster mushrooms are distributed in the Midwest, Eastern North America, and Canada. They can be cultivated with relative ease, as they will grow at room temperature and naturally on decayed wood. The golden oyster mushroom can be cultivated and is considered to be one of the easiest mushrooms to grow due to its fast growth rate, wide variety of substrates, and tolerance to different growing conditions. Ready-to-fruit mushroom growing kits are available for home cultivation, and step-by-step guides are available online for cultivating yellow oyster mushrooms on hardwood, straw, or sugar cane mulch. 

Pioppino mushroom (Agrocybe aegerita) 

Distribution: Worldwide; Can be grown: Yes

Pioppino mushrooms are distributed naturally throughout Asia and Southern Europe, particularly in the Campania Region of Italy. They are a typical ingredient found in both Southern European and Chinese cuisine.

 
Pioppino mushrooms are distributed primarily around poplar trees in the wild, but can also be cultivated at home with the supplemented substrate. They are cultivated commercially and available year-round. 

Enoki mushroom (Flammulina velutipes) 

Distribution: Japan, China, Korea; Can be grown: YesEnoki mushrooms are native to China, Korea, and Japan and have been distributed by Utopia Foods, Inc. of Glendale, New York.

Enoki mushrooms are white and have long, thin stems, and can be found at Asian grocery stores and specialty food stores such as Whole Foods and other grocery stores.

Enoki mushrooms can be cultivated relatively easily. A starter kit is available which requires only wetting the premade grow block, covering it, and storing it in a cool place until the mushrooms begin to emerge. Enoki mushrooms can be grown using a variety of organic substrates, such as aged hardwood sawdust, and one bottle can have multiple crops over a period of 2-3 weeks before the spent growing medium is recycled. A beginner's guide to growing enoki mushrooms at home is also available online.