The Story
Fresh cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris) are a cultivated mushroom with a striking appearance — slender, bright orange clubs growing in upright clusters, each with a slightly roughened, fertile tip. They look unlike any other mushroom in the FINE & WILD range. The flavour is mild and subtly earthy with a gentle sweetness, and the texture is tender and slightly chewy. They are less about delivering a strong mushroom hit and more about adding colour, texture and an unusual visual element to a dish.
Cordyceps militaris is the cultivated species within the broader cordyceps group. It is grown on a substrate of rice and soy, making it entirely suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets. The species has a long history in traditional Chinese and Tibetan medicine, where cordyceps have been valued for centuries — though the wild species historically used (Cordyceps sinensis, now reclassified as Ophiocordyceps sinensis) grows in a very different and far more limited way at high altitude on the Tibetan plateau. The cultivated C. militaris used here is a practical and sustainable alternative that has become widely available across East Asian cuisine and is now gaining traction in European professional kitchens. Available year-round.
Origin: Cultivated — sourced from specialist growers
Ingredients: Fresh cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris)
Storage: Refrigerate immediately on arrival. Store in original packaging or loosely in a paper bag. Use within 3–5 days. Handle gently — the upright clubs are delicate.
Net: 250g
Description
Fresh cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris) are a cultivated mushroom with a striking appearance — slender, bright orange clubs growing in upright clusters, each with a slightly roughened, fertile tip. They look unlike any other mushroom in the FINE & WILD range. The flavour is mild and subtly earthy with a gentle sweetness, and the texture is tender and slightly chewy. They are less about delivering a strong mushroom hit and more about adding colour, texture and an unusual visual element to a dish.
Cordyceps militaris is the cultivated species within the broader cordyceps group. It is grown on a substrate of rice and soy, making it entirely suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets. The species has a long history in traditional Chinese and Tibetan medicine, where cordyceps have been valued for centuries — though the wild species historically used (Cordyceps sinensis, now reclassified as Ophiocordyceps sinensis) grows in a very different and far more limited way at high altitude on the Tibetan plateau. The cultivated C. militaris used here is a practical and sustainable alternative that has become widely available across East Asian cuisine and is now gaining traction in European professional kitchens. Available year-round.
Origin: Cultivated — sourced from specialist growers
Ingredients: Fresh cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris)
Storage: Refrigerate immediately on arrival. Store in original packaging or loosely in a paper bag. Use within 3–5 days. Handle gently — the upright clubs are delicate.
Net: 250g
