Why source from Japan
Iwate and Nagano matsutake commands per-kg pricing of $300-$2,000; Japan-domestic harvest carries cultural prestige no other origin matches.
Key spec
Characteristic 1-octen-3-ol and matsutake-ol aroma; volatile profile lost in 5-10 days post-harvest; cultivation-resistant.
Typical end-product
Premium fresh-fruit kaiseki ingredient, gift-economy retail, dobin-mushi soup retail.
At a glance
- Suppliers listed
- Phase 1 onboarding in progress
- Typical MOQ
- 0.1–1 kg fresh; specialty allocation
- Typical lead time
- 1–3 weeks (in season)
- Regions of origin
- Iwate, Nagano, Hyogo (limited)
- Category
- Food ingredients
- Harvest season
- September – October (peak)
- Japan regulatory status
- Food product; wild-forage; phytosanitary for fresh
- Japanese name
- 松茸
- Romaji
- 松茸
About this ingredient
Wild-foraged pine mushroom (Tricholoma matsutake) — Japan's most-prized mushroom, with characteristic spicy-aromatic profile difficult to replicate. Cultivation has not been commercialised despite decades of research; supply is wild-foraged and increasingly imported from Korea, China, Canada, and Mexico. Domestic Japanese harvest is in steady decline (climate / forestry pressure). Iwate and Nagano are the principal Japan-domestic origins. Used in matsutake-gohan, dobin-mushi soup, and grilled with sudachi. Distinct from existing mushroom entries.
Regulatory status
| Japan | Food product; wild-forage; phytosanitary for fresh |
|---|---|
| EU | Food import; phytosanitary certificate required |
| United States | GRAS; FDA Prior Notice; phytosanitary |
| China | GACC; phytosanitary |
Looking for alternatives?
Common reasons buyers swap to a different ingredient — and what we'd suggest based on this ingredient's profile.
Vegan / plant-based alternatives
Matsutake (Pine Mushroom) is animal-derived. If you need a non-animal source with similar functions, consider:
Sansho Pepper
山椒
Zanthoxylum piperitum source; INCI Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract; MOQ from 1–10 kg (dried peppercorn); 100 g – 5 kg (powder).
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
Wasabi Powder
山葵粉末
Wasabia japonica (Eutrema japonicum) source; INCI Wasabia Japonica Root Powder; MOQ from 1–10 kg (powder); 100 kg+ (bulk paste).
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
Shio Koji
塩麹
MOQ from 20–100 kg.
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
When does it make sense to swap an ingredient? Read the swap guide →
Japanese suppliers
Phase 1 manufacturer onboarding is in progress. If you are actively sourcing this ingredient and would like to be introduced to candidate Japanese producers, send an inquiry and our team will return with options.
Disclaimer
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Information shown — including company details, product descriptions, regions of origin, minimum order quantities, lead times, certifications, and regulatory references — is compiled primarily from publicly available sources and manufacturer websites. Specifications change without notice; buyers are expected to verify current specifications, pricing, certification status, and regulatory compliance directly with each manufacturer before placing orders or signing contracts.
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Last updated: 2026-05-05