The first auction of the season for Tambasasayama matsutake mushrooms took place on Monday at a market in Tambasasayama, Hyogo Prefecture. A set of six matsutake mushrooms, weighing a total of 193.5 grams, was sold for ¥960,000. These mushrooms were sourced from a mountain in the central part of the city and were auctioned off by Kinmata, a well-established local ryokan Japanese-style inn. The mushrooms ranged from 5 to 13 centimeters in length with caps measuring 2 to 5 centimeters in diameter.
Tambasasayama’s matsutake mushrooms are renowned as a high-end delicacy. This year, they arrived three days later than last year and about two weeks later than usual due to the extreme heat during summer and minimal rainfall. However, despite these challenges, they are said to be exceptionally fragrant and large with minimal insect damage.
The market representative stated that although there was a delay in their arrival this year, the quality of the matsutake mushrooms is still impressive. The late arrival can be attributed to unfavorable weather conditions during summer but has not affected their overall quality.
This auction marks the beginning of what is expected to be another successful season for Tambasasayama matsutake mushrooms. As autumn progresses, more auctions will take place where these highly sought-after delicacies will continue to fetch high prices due to their unique flavor and limited availability.
Matsutake mushroom enthusiasts eagerly await each new harvest as they savor this seasonal treat that embodies both tradition and culinary excellence.