The power of nature???

Mushroom hits new high

Himachal’s Guchhis Sell For Rs 11,000 A Kg At Kullu Fair

Ashwani Kumar | TNN

Kullu: Wrapped in mysticism and hailed as an aphrodisiac, Morchella esculenta, an edible mushroom also known as the Common Morel, sold for Rs 11,000 per kg at the recently held Banjar fair in Kullu. Locally known as guchhi, it was arguably the hottest attraction at the mela, its main trading centre, that saw buyers from across the region. While last year this natural wonder, demanding a premium, went for Rs 8,000 per kg, this year, due to less production and greater demand, the price simply peaked.

Believed to sprout in dense woods when it thunders, guchhi elicited a great deal of curiosity. Sonia, an NRI from America, visited Banjar valley around the same time to unearth its mystery. ‘‘The natural phenomenon definitely leads to the genesis of this fungus,’’ said Sonia, of the mushroom credited with growing only in this part of the country abounding in innumerable deities and spiritual experiences.

Radha Krishan, an oldtimer naturopath of the valley, said, ‘‘Guchhi generates heat and wonderfully increases sexual power in men and women.’’ At the fair, even as it remained the fancy of all, it could only be bought by the rich and those who didn’t mind shelling out the price to increase their libido. And, of course, wholesalers from as far as Delhi. It is mostly exported to European nations, with France as its chief importer, and is in great demand due to its meaty flavour.

‘‘Earlier, its production was up to 100 quintal, but this year it has been very less,’’ said prominent gucchi businessman Chaman Lal. Other old-timers says it was a delicacy served at weddings, but now rue the fact that it can only be found at weddings of the rich, who can afford it. Most locals now collect the mushroom, which is increasingly scarce, to sell to the five-odd traders operating in the Kullu valley to make some quick money during the season.

Known to grow at altitudes higher than 1,500 metre, it is abundantly found during April-May and July-August. ‘‘It is found in cedar forests,’’ said one local who gathers mushrooms. Unwilling to buy stories of its aphrodisiac qualities, G K Khullar of department of biochemistry at PGI, said, ‘‘There is no research to substantiate claims that the mushroom can increase sexual pleasure.’’ Even though it may just be a placebo, the faith in its ‘powers’ seem unshakeable. While alluding to China’s failed attempts in trying to cultivate it, Banjar divisional forest officer B S Rana said, ‘‘With royalty rights lying with panchayats, guchhi draws Rs 10,000 per quintal.’’ But the middlemen make a killing at Rs 11,000 per kg.

MAGICAL GUCHHI
Morchella esculenta or Guchhi, as it is popularly known in Himachal, belongs to the Helvellaceae family. The mushroom grows wild in dense forests of Himachal and Jammu & Kashmir
Guchhi has two seasonal crops: March to May — the main season with better yield and quality; and the second in Sept & Oct. It has a meaty flavour, is rich in protein and generates heat in the body. The guchhi is believed to be an aphrodisiac. Abundant at one time, with an annual produce of 900 quintals; by 2008, its quantities have fallen to mere 10 quintals a year 99% of the produce exported to European nations, with France as chief importer. Experts say guchhi grows only when it thunders. As climate has changed in the region, there has been a fall in production.

All attempts by Himachal govt and scientists across the world to cultivate guchhi under artificial conditions have failed .

WILD DELICACY: Locals in Kullu Valley swear guchhi, also known as morel, is a magical aphrodisiac.