Gucchi Mushroom : BRICS Summit 2026
A rare Himalayan ingredient gucchi mushroom has found its way onto the BRICS Summit 2026.
- Gucchi is scientifically known as Morchella esculenta.
- These are recognisable by their honeycomb-like caps, which range from pale yellow to dark brown. Their stems are typically pale and hollow.
- It is found in parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
- The mushroom typically grows in mountainous coniferous forests, where a combination of soil conditions, moisture, temperature fluctuations and seasonal snowmelt creates a suitable environment.
- It cannot easily be mass-cultivated.
- Mountain communities collect gucchi by hand, often trekking through steep and rugged terrain.
- Fresh morels or mushrooms contain substantial moisture.
- They are commonly dried to preserve them and extend their shelf life, but the process significantly reduces their weight.
- They may or may not grow in the same spot the next season, which only makes the process of collection more tedious.
- It is known to be one of the most expensive mushrooms.
- Gucchi mushrooms contain protein, dietary fibre and various antioxidant compounds. They are also reported to contain vitamin D.
