Context

A geographical indication (GI) tag has been sought for one of the costliest mushrooms in the world that grows in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district.

About

• Also known as Morel Mushrooms or Morchella Esculenta scientifically, these mushrooms command a huge demand despite their high price tag. It is a forest produce collected by local farmers and tribals.
• Locally called Gucchi, the mushroom is priced at over ?20,000 a kg.
• Family: Gucchi mushroom is a species of fungus belonging to the family Morchellaceae.
• They are pale yellow in color with large ridges and pits on their cap. They are raised on a large white stem.
• Region: The mushroom grows in conifer forests across temperate regions, and the cool foothills of the Himalayas, in Himachal, Uttaranchal and Jammu & Kashmir are ideal territory for them. 
• Soil type: The Gucchi mushrooms prefer soil with limestone base. They also grow in acid soils.
• Cultivation: The Guchhi mushrooms cannot be cultivated commercially for their nature of germination.
  • They germinate and grow in low temperature soil. They usually appear after fires.
  • The fruiting of Gucchi mushrooms require alkaline conditions produced by wood ash mixed with water.

Last June, saffron from the State (Kashmiri saffron, also known as 'Zafran' in Urdu,) had been granted a GI tag.

Properties

• The spongy, edible fungus is said to have medicinal and anti-inflammatory properties.
• The mushrooms are cherished for their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. They are also considered a rich source of protein, carbohydrates and Vitamin B.