Food · Fermented foods
Matsutake (Pine Mushroom)
まつたけ (Matsutake)
Also known as: Matsutake, Pine mushroom, Tricholoma matsutake, 松茸
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| Category | Food |
|---|---|
| Japanese labeling name | まつたけ |
| Common Japanese notations | まつたけ, 松茸, マツタケ |
| Origin | Pine mushroom (Tricholoma matsutake); exclusively wild-foraged (cultivation has not been achieved despite decades of research); principal foraging regions Nagano (the volume domestic supplier), Iwate, Hyogo, Kyoto; significant imports from China, Korea, Canada, USA, Mexico, Bhutan; symbiotic with red pine tree roots |
| Typical functions | Ultra-premium autumn kaiseki signature — defining Japanese autumn cuisine, Matsutake-gohan (matsutake rice) — autumn seasonal household and gift category, Dobin-mushi (clear soup in earthenware pot) — kaiseki specialty, Premium gift retail — Tamba Matsutake (Hyogo/Kyoto), Iwate, Nagano are heritage areas |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Standard agricultural product labeling. Domestic vs imported origin disclosure essential — pricing differential is dramatic (Japan-domestic ¥30,000-¥100,000+/kg vs Chinese-imported ¥3,000-¥10,000/kg). 'Tamba Matsutake' (Hyogo/Kyoto Tamba) is a regional brand. Not a designated allergen. |
Matsutake (まつたけ / 松茸) — pine mushroom (Tricholoma matsutake) — is Japan's most prestigious and expensive mushroom, exclusively wild-foraged (cultivation has not been achieved despite decades of research). The OEM positioning is exclusively ultra-premium autumn kaiseki and gift retail: as a defining ingredient of Japanese autumn cuisine (matsutake-gohan, dobin-mushi clear soup, grilled matsutake), and as premium gift retail (Tamba Matsutake from Hyogo/Kyoto Tamba is iconic). Critical OEM positioning: domestic Japan-foraged matsutake commands extreme premium (¥30,000-¥100,000+/kg) over Chinese, Korean, North American, and Bhutanese imports (¥3,000-¥10,000/kg). Origin transparency is essential — substituting imported as Japan-origin is serious consumer protection violation. Domestic supply has declined substantially due to forest changes affecting symbiotic red pine ecosystems.
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Classification
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Product applications
Functions
Regulatory tags
Origin
Common OEM product categories
Finished-product categories where Japanese OEM manufacturers commonly formulate with this ingredient.
- Fresh whole matsutake (autumn brief season, September-November)
- Frozen matsutake (extending availability)
- Pre-cooked vacuum-pack matsutake (foodservice)
- Tamba Matsutake premium gift retail
Ingredient profile
Tricholoma matsutake, symbiotic with red pine (akamatsu) roots. Cannot be cultivated.
Production: Wild-foraged. Domestic Nagano (volume), Iwate, Hyogo (Tamba Matsutake), Kyoto. Significant imports from China, Korea, Canada, USA, Mexico, Bhutan.
OEM applications
Matsutake-gohan — autumn rice dish.
Dobin-mushi — earthenware-pot clear soup.
Grilled matsutake (yaki-matsutake).
Premium kaiseki and gift retail (Tamba Matsutake heritage).
For OEM: domestic Japan-origin matsutake commands extreme premium. Imported supplies cost-positioned. Origin disclosure essential.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Standard food labeling. Domestic vs imported origin disclosure essential.
Tamba Matsutake regional brand established.
Not a designated allergen.
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | Imported as matsutake / pine mushroom. Niche premium specialty. |
|---|---|
| USA | USA has its own Tricholoma magnivelare (American matsutake) industry. |
| China | China is major matsutake producer (Yunnan Tibet). Japan-origin Tamba positioned as ultra-premium. |
| Korea | Korea has its own song-i (송이) culture. Japan-origin Tamba positioned as ultra-premium. |
Market reference formulations
Example finished products will be added after verification of origin (Japan-domestic premium / imported).
All brand names and product names referenced anywhere on this site are the property of their respective owners. Example entries are provided for informational purposes only and do not imply endorsement.
Seasonality & supply calendar
- Harvest months
- September – October (Japan, wild)
- Peak supply
- Late September – mid October
- Off-season
- November – August (no domestic wild supply); imports from China / Korea / North America cover gaps
Source: 農林水産省 林野庁 specialty forest products statistics. Domestic matsutake yields have collapsed since the 1950s; >90% of consumption is imported.
Storage requirements
How the receiving OEM facility needs to handle inbound raw material.
- Temperature
- Refrigerated 1–4°C; frozen −20°C for long-term
- Conditions
- Wrap in damp paper / moisture-controlled packaging; aroma is volatile
- Shelf life
- Fresh 5–7 days at 1°C; frozen 6 months
Supply concentration
Where this ingredient comes from — useful for single-source-risk planning.
- Primary regions
- Nagano, Iwate, Hyogo (premium grades); domestic volume <5% of consumption
- Import dependence
- >90% imported (China, Korea, North America, Bhutan)
農林水産省 林野庁 特用林産物統計
Certifications commonly available
Certification schemes commonly obtainable for this raw material. Always confirm the specific supplier's current certificate before contracting.
| Scheme | Availability | |
|---|---|---|
| Organic | Unavailable | Wild-foraged; cannot be organic-certified |
| Halal | Inherent | |
| Kosher | Inherent | |
| Vegan | Inherent |
Documented adulteration risks
Known fraud / adulteration patterns reported by regulators or industry bodies. Specify CoA params and screening tests on every PO.
- Imported matsutake (China / Korea / North America) sold under premium 'Japanese matsutake' label
- Off-species substitution with similar-looking 偽松茸 (バカマツタケ etc.)
Detection: Country-of-origin label required by 食品表示法; DNA species ID for ambiguous cases
消費者庁 表示違反事例 / 農林水産省 林野庁
Alternative ingredients
Related ingredients commonly evaluated as substitutes.
Quick answers
- What is Matsutake (Pine Mushroom)?
- Matsutake (まつたけ / 松茸) — pine mushroom (Tricholoma matsutake) — is Japan's most prestigious and expensive mushroom, exclusively wild-foraged (cultivation has not been achieved despite decades of research). The OEM positioning is exclusively ultra-premium autumn kaiseki and gift retail: as a defining ingredient of Japanese autumn cuisine (matsutake-gohan, dobin-mushi clear soup, grilled matsutake), and as premium gift retail (Tamba Matsutake from Hyogo/Kyoto Tamba is iconic). Critical OEM positioning: domestic Japan-foraged matsutake commands extreme premium (¥30,000-¥100,000+/kg) over Chinese, Korean, North American, and Bhutanese imports (¥3,000-¥10,000/kg). Origin transparency is essential — substituting imported as Japan-origin is serious consumer protection violation. Domestic supply has declined substantially due to forest changes affecting symbiotic red pine ecosystems.
- What is the regulatory status of Matsutake (Pine Mushroom) in Japan?
- Standard agricultural product labeling. Domestic vs imported origin disclosure essential — pricing differential is dramatic (Japan-domestic ¥30,000-¥100,000+/kg vs Chinese-imported ¥3,000-¥10,000/kg). 'Tamba Matsutake' (Hyogo/Kyoto Tamba) is a regional brand. Not a designated allergen.
- What products typically use Matsutake (Pine Mushroom)?
- Fresh whole matsutake (autumn brief season, September-November) / Frozen matsutake (extending availability) / Pre-cooked vacuum-pack matsutake (foodservice) / Tamba Matsutake premium gift retail
- Where does Matsutake (Pine Mushroom) come from?
- Pine mushroom (Tricholoma matsutake); exclusively wild-foraged (cultivation has not been achieved despite decades of research); principal foraging regions Nagano (the volume domestic supplier), Iwate, Hyogo, Kyoto; significant imports from China, Korea, Canada, USA, Mexico, Bhutan; symbiotic with red pine tree roots
- What is the INCI / JSCI labeling name for Matsutake (Pine Mushroom)?
- JSCI: まつたけ
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Sharing similar functions
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From the same origin
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Regulatory guidance
Take the next step
FAQ for OEM buyers
Q. What's the OEM pricing reality between Japan-domestic and imported matsutake?
The pricing differential is dramatic and reflects fundamental supply realities: (1) Japan-domestic Tamba Matsutake (Hyogo/Kyoto Tamba region) — top-grade specimens command ¥30,000-¥100,000+/kg at premium retail; mid-grade ¥10,000-¥30,000/kg. Annual domestic production has declined to approximately 30-50 tonnes (vs. historical 6,000+ tonnes in 1940s) due to red pine forest decline. (2) Japan-domestic Nagano, Iwate matsutake — ¥10,000-¥40,000/kg, the volume domestic supplier for premium retail. (3) Korean / Chinese (Yunnan, Tibet) imported — ¥3,000-¥15,000/kg, the volume cost-positioned supply. (4) Canadian / USA / Mexican / Bhutanese imported — ¥2,000-¥10,000/kg, value-positioning. For OEM: ultra-premium gift retail and kaiseki authentic positioning requires Japan-domestic origin (with Tamba/Nagano/Iwate verifiable documentation); cost-positioned matsutake-themed product applications use imported supply with appropriate origin transparency. Substituting Chinese-imported matsutake while marketing as 'Japanese matsutake' is serious consumer protection violation.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-28
- Editorial — Japan matsutake supply economics reference
- 農林水産省 (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) matsutake import statistics
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Official regulatory databases
External links to public Japanese / international regulatory authorities. We are not affiliated.
References
- 文部科学省 (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) Standard Tables of Food Composition — まつたけ
- Editorial — Japan matsutake foraging and import market reference
Last updated: 2026-04-28. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.