News On Japan

Eight Tamba Matsutake Mushrooms Sell for 850,000 Yen at First Auction

HYOGO, Oct 09 (News On Japan) - At the season’s first auction held in Sasayama City, Hyogo Prefecture, locally grown Tamba Matsutake mushrooms fetched a total of 850,000 yen. Freshly harvested mushrooms lined the market floor, drawing excitement among buyers.

This year’s favorable growing conditions, with steady summer rainfall and ample forest moisture, have led to a particularly abundant harvest, bringing the season’s start six days earlier than last year. Since the opening of the Sasayama market in 2018, the volume of Matsutake mushrooms brought in by each farmer has reached its highest level on record.

Eight premium Tamba Matsutake were put up for the first auction and, amid the festive atmosphere of the opening sale, fetched a celebratory price of 850,000 yen.

Chef Noritsugu Yoshimura of the long-established ryokan restaurant Chikamoto, who won the bid, said, "I came with the goal of definitely winning. The texture is firm, the moisture is just right, and the aroma is wonderful—this year’s mushrooms are truly exceptional."

The ryokan plans to immediately serve the prized Matsutake to its regular guests in dishes such as grilled Matsutake and Dobin-mushi (steamed soup in a teapot).

Source: KTV NEWS

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