Fungi fun

More than 600 types of mushrooms are found in Yunnan province, including about 25 famous edible species found across the entire province. Many will appear during the upcoming rainy season in late spring; harvesting trips combine nice hikes with tasty rewards.

Morels, prized for their striking appearance and delicate flavor, generally can be gathered from early April to late May and from August and September after a rain. Locals like to cook morels in a hotpot with other mushrooms, chicken or Yunnan ham, in addition to some fresh greens, or fry them with Yunnan ham.

Boletus mushrooms are not only tasty but prized in Chinese medicine for their health and medicinal benefits. "B. edulis is well suited for many health related issues but won't give you funny dreams!" says professor Zhou Dequn, a faculty member of the Kunming Institute of Technology and a widely published mushroom expert. Growing season: June to September.