Termite mushrooms are scarce, selling for millions but still in high demand

Termite mushrooms in Ben Tre are sold for 1,200,000 VND to 1,500,000 VND/kg, but many people still cannot buy them.

Termite mushrooms in Ben Tre are sold for 1,200,000 - 1,500,000 VND per kilo but are still in high demand. In the photo are umbrella termite mushrooms and bud termite mushrooms - Photo: MAU TRUONG

Termite mushrooms, commonly called "termite knobs" by Ben Tre people, grow in coconut gardens at the beginning of the rainy season, and only grow once a year, so they are very rare. At this time, termite mushrooms begin to appear and are sold at retail markets for about 1,200,000 - 1,500,000 VND per kg.

Mr. Huynh Van Hiep, residing in Giong Trom district, Ben Tre province said that after consecutive days of rain, termite mushrooms began to appear sporadically in coconut gardens.

"At first, I didn't pay attention, so the mushrooms burst open even though they weren't tasty. The next day, I stayed up and picked a few kilos of bud mushrooms. I kept some for myself, and sold the rest for 900,000 VND/kg. If sold at the market, the price would be from 1,200,000 - 1,500,000 VND/kg," said Mr. Hiep. Video: Săn nấm mối thu nhập tiền triệu mỗi ngày

According to Mr. Hiep, to pick delicious termite mushrooms, you have to be very careful and should only pick them at night, when the mushrooms have just sprouted.

Because if picked late, the mushrooms will bloom and not be as crispy and sweet as the bud mushrooms.

"Currently, many people call me and tell me to sell them when they have nipples, but now there are none left to sell. I've been looking hard but haven't found any more," said Hiep.

Termite mushrooms are considered a gift from heaven to the people of Ben Tre because the quality of the mushrooms is unmatched anywhere else.

While termite mushrooms in the Eastern region are sold for 400,000 - 500,000 VND/kg, termite mushrooms in Ben Tre are sold for double or even triple the price. Gourmets say that termite mushrooms in Ben Tre are crispier and sweeter than termite mushrooms in other regions.

According to a leader of the agricultural sector of Ben Tre province, termite mushrooms are a natural type of mushroom that only grows in the fifth and sixth lunar months, so their quantity is limited. They grow abundantly in coconut gardens because after coconut leaves and coconut trees fall to the ground, termites come to make nests and from there form clumps of termite mushrooms.

Termite mushrooms can be processed into many delicious dishes such as grilled termite mushrooms with galangal leaves, termite mushroom pancakes, termite mushrooms stir-fried with squash, stewed with galangal leaves and coconut water...