Explore Phu Quoc melaleuca mushroom: A unique specialty you can’t miss

Every rainy season, the people of Phu Quoc eagerly head to the forest to collect a unique purple mushroom that only appears during this time – the Phu Quoc melaleuca mushroom. Anyone who has had the chance to taste this mushroom will surely want to return, as the slightly bitter yet distinct flavor of dishes made with melaleuca mushrooms is unforgettable. Let’s explore this fascinating mushroom together!

Introduction to Phu Quoc melaleuca mushroom specialties

Where do melaleuca mushrooms grow?

When does Phu Quoc melaleuca mushroom appear?

Around the 3rd or 4th lunar month each year, as the first rains begin to fall over Phu Quoc, small purple mushroom buds start to appear under the decaying leaves, especially the melaleuca leaves, signaling the arrival of a bountiful melaleuca mushroom season for the locals.
The purple color of the mature mushrooms resembles the soft pink of a mangosteen fruit. With a very short growing cycle of just one month, this humble delicacy is not something everyone will have the chance to taste. The price of melaleuca mushrooms on the market typically ranges from 150,000 to 200,000 VND per kilogram, and they are highly sought after, as both tourists and locals enjoy dishes made with this unique mushroom. Because melaleuca mushrooms grow naturally, locals must venture deep into the melaleuca forest early in the morning to harvest them.

Where do melaleuca mushrooms grow?

Phu Quoc melaleuca mushrooms are usually found in melaleuca forests, either water melaleuca or yellow-flowered melaleuca, in moist, lowland areas with a layer of leaves not too thick. Melaleuca leaves fall and cover the ground, and by gently scraping a tree branch through the leaves, one can discover the mushroom buds hidden underneath.

You’ll be amazed to see the adorable little mushroom buds just breaking through the soil and thin layer of leaves. If you’re lucky, you might come across an entire patch of land covered in mushrooms, as they tend to grow close together. When hunting for melaleuca mushrooms, once you spot one, you need to crouch down and carefully sift through the surrounding leaves and roots. Mushrooms tend to grow in clusters, and you might find both fully bloomed mushrooms and budding ones in the same spot.

Distinctive features of Phu Quoc melaleuca mushroom

Appearance and taste of melaleuca mushroom

Appearance and taste of melaleuca mushroom

The melaleuca mushroom ranges in size from small to medium, with the mushroom stalk typically measuring about 4-8 cm in height. The cap is round and cone-shaped when young, becoming flatter as it matures, with a diameter ranging from 3-6 cm. The top of the mushroom is light purple or dark purple, sometimes with a brownish-purple hue, depending on its age and environmental conditions. The stem is straight, thin, and white or slightly purple, with a firm texture, though not too tough. The gills are thin, cream-colored, soft, and fragile.

The melaleuca mushroom has a distinctive aroma that is mild and slightly bitter. When eaten, it has a light bitterness on the tip of the tongue, but the aftertaste is sweet and rich

How to prepare melaleuca mushrooms after harvesting

After harvesting melaleuca mushrooms, it is important to clean them thoroughly: scrape off any dirt around the mushroom stem, cut off the root, then rinse them clean. Afterward, blanch the mushrooms in saltwater. You can either cook them immediately or store them in the fridge for up to a week. If you want to store them for a longer period, freezing them is also an option. During mushroom harvest seasons when there are too many mushrooms to consume, locals often freeze them to last throughout the year. However, frozen mushrooms lose some of their crispness and sweetness compared to freshly harvested ones.

Special benefits of melaleuca mushrooms

Firstly, it’s important to note that despite the slight bitterness of melaleuca mushrooms, they are completely safe to eat and cause no harm. On the contrary, they have many health benefits. Like other mushrooms, melaleuca mushrooms are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals that are beneficial to health.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), eating melaleuca mushrooms is good for people feeling fatigued, suffering from headaches, or having a cold. Additionally, the essential oils in melaleuca mushrooms help nourish internal organs, detoxify the body, reduce heat, and even cure hangovers.

Nutritional benefits of melaleuca mushrooms for health

Melaleuca mushrooms are rich in B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, etc.), as well as thiamine, niacin, and pantothenic acid. These nutrients support the nervous system and enhance mental clarity. Consuming tràm mushrooms helps your body absorb vitamin D, protein, iron, fiber, etc.

Moreover, Phu Quoc melaleuca mushrooms contain selenium, a powerful antioxidant, as well as ergothioneine, which aids digestion. These mushrooms also have antibacterial, antifungal properties and may help prevent cancer. Therefore, melaleuca mushrooms are especially beneficial for elderly people, pregnant women, and more

Delicious dishes made with Phu Quoc melaleuca mushrooms

Seafood melaleuca mushroom soup

Seafood melaleuca mushroom soup

• Ingredients: melaleuca mushrooms, fresh shrimp, squid, pork, eggs, spring onions, coriander, seasonings.
• Instructions:

1. Sauté shrimp, squid, and pork with shallots.
2. Add water and bring it to a boil, then drop in the melaleuca mushrooms.
3. Season to taste, and add spring onions and coriander.

• Flavor: The combination of the lightly bitter melaleuca mushrooms and the sweet taste of seafood creates a refreshing and flavorful soup.

Melaleuca mushroom congee

Melaleuca mushroom congee

• Ingredients: Melaleuca mushrooms, rice, chicken, shrimp or squid (you can choose the seafood you like), spring onions, black pepper.
• Instructions:

1. Cook the rice with chicken broth or bone broth to make a porridge.
2. Sauté melaleuca mushrooms with shrimp or chicken and seasonings.
3. Add the sautéed mushrooms to the congee and cook for another 5–7 minutes.
4. Sprinkle spring onions and black pepper on top.

• Flavor: This dish is fragrant and nourishing, with the slight bitterness of melaleuca mushrooms blending perfectly with the sweetness of the meat and the congee.

Braised melaleuca mushrooms with black pepper

Braised melaleuca mushrooms with black pepper

• Ingredients: Melaleuca mushrooms, pork belly, fish sauce, black pepper, shallots.
• Instructions:

1. Sauté pork belly with fish sauce and shallots.
2. Add the tràm mushrooms and black pepper, then braise on low heat until the mushrooms absorb the flavors.

• Flavor: A rich and savory braised dish, perfect with white rice.

Where to buy Phu Quoc melaleuca mushrooms and their price

Where to buy melaleuca mushrooms in Phu Quoc

Where to buy melaleuca mushrooms in Phu Quoc

• Duong Dong Market: This is the largest market in Phu Quoc, where you can easily find fresh and dried melaleuca mushrooms. The market stalls typically sell melaleuca mushrooms during harvest season (from the 3rd–4th and 7th–8th lunar months).
• Other Markets: In addition to Duong Dong Market, you can also find melaleuca mushrooms at An Thoi Market, Phu Quoc Night Market, or at specialty shops selling local products.
• Specialty Stores: Some stores that specialize in Phu Quoc’s local products also offer dried melaleuca mushrooms in packages, making it easy for tourists to bring them home as souvenirs.

Price of Phu Quoc melaleuca mushrooms

The price of melaleuca mushrooms in Phu Quoc can vary depending on the type (fresh or dried) and the season:

• Fresh melaleuca mushrooms:
  The price ranges from 100,000 to 150,000 VND per kilogram.
  Fresh mushrooms have the most intense flavor and are typically used immediately after purchase to ensure their freshness.
• Dried melaleuca mushrooms:
  The price ranges from 250,000 to 400,000 VND per kilogram, depending on the quality and packaging.
  Dried mushrooms are carefully dried, making them easy to store and convenient for long-distance travel.

Tips for preparing and enjoying Phu Quoc melaleuca mushrooms

How to reduce the bitterness of melaleuca mushrooms. To lessen the bitterness, bring a pot of water to a boil, then add the melaleuca mushrooms and cook for about 5 minutes. Afterward, drain the mushrooms and rinse them several times with clean water, then let them dry.

While melaleuca mushrooms are beneficial for health, they should not be consumed in large quantities, as this could lead to bloating, indigestion, and discomfort. When sautéing melaleuca mushrooms, avoid using too much oil, as the mushrooms contain a significant amount of protein and can become greasy and unpleasant.

Melaleuca mushrooms have a cooling effect, so they should not be consumed with ice or cold drinks. Doing so can lead to stomach discomfort or feeling cold inside.

Since melaleuca mushrooms are rich in iron, it’s best not to cook them in aluminum pots, as they can easily oxidize and affect the flavor and nutritional value.

Once you’ve made a melaleuca mushroom soup, avoid reheating it. Eating reheated soup may not be good for your health.

Each melaleuca mushroom is carefully cherished by the people of Phu Quoc due to its very short lifecycle. It grows only during the rainy season, and too much or too little rain can prevent it from growing. Therefore, it can only be harvested during the brief tràm mushroom season. So, if you have the chance to enjoy a delicious tràm mushroom soup, consider yourself lucky. Wishing you a wonderful trip.

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