Almond mushroom (dried)

The dried fruiting body of Agaricus blazei, an almond-scented relative of the button mushroom first identified in the Brazilian highlands — hence the name 巴西蘑菇 — and now farmed mainly in China. The dried caps and stems rehydrate to a firm chew and give soups a distinctive sweet, almond-like fragrance.

TCM properties

Nature · neutral　Flavour · sweet　Meridians · spleen、kidney

Traditional food therapy

In Cantonese food therapy it is used to strengthen the spleen and support the kidneys and liver; its rich polysaccharides underpin its reputation as a fortifying soup mushroom.

Cautions — read first

• Not for anyone allergic to mushrooms.
• Take care with gout.
• Studies note that it takes up heavy metals (cadmium) easily, so choose a reliable source and eat it in moderate amounts.

Preparation

Soak and rinse; the soaking water can be left to settle and then added to the soup.

Origin

巴西聖保羅州皮耶達迪（Piedade）高地原產；現主要於中國福建栽培 — AU stock is Chinese-brand dried packs (Weiduobao) — a specialist line at Asian grocers

Availability in Australia

Common at Asian grocers · A$14.81–14.81 / 100g
Weiduobao Dried Agaricus Blazei 220g $32.59; survey flags it a specialist line within the Asian-grocer range; Golden Bag agaricus soup-mix pack 100g $8.49 also observed

Pairs well with