Rare Himalayan Gucchi Mushrooms Feature at Rashtrapati Bhavan Banquet for Putin, Priced at ₹40,000 per Kg

New Delhi | December 7, 2025 During the high-profile state banquet held at Rashtrapati Bhavan for Russian President Vladimir Putin, one ingredient captured the attention of both guests and food enthusiasts — the rare Himalayan Gucchi mushroom. Often regarded as the world’s most expensive mushroom, Gucchi mushrooms command prices of up to ₹35,000 to ₹40,000 per kilogram due to their rarity, unique taste, and limited availability. The mushroom was chosen for the all-vegetarian menu, highlighting both India’s culinary heritage and its diverse regional produce. Gucchi mushrooms are not cultivated commercially but grow naturally in the high-altitude forests of the Himalayas, primarily in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. They thrive only under very specific environmental conditions, including the right soil composition, moisture levels after snowmelt, and sometimes even following forest fires. Their growth is seasonal and limited to a few weeks each year, making them extremely rare. Local foragers often spend days trekking steep and remote terrain to collect the mushrooms, which contributes significantly to their high cost. The mushroom is prized for its distinct honeycomb-like texture and deep, earthy, nutty flavor, which provides a rich umami taste. Its naturally meaty texture makes it a popular substitute for meat in vegetarian dishes, offering chefs versatility in gourmet cooking. For the state banquet, Gucchi mushrooms were carefully selected to represent India’s luxury ingredients while adhering to the vegetarian theme of the meal. Their inclusion underscored the effort to present rare and exquisite regional produce on an international platform, leaving guests impressed with both the taste and the story behind the ingredient. After harvesting, Gucchi mushrooms are usually sun-dried to preserve them, which reduces their weight and further increases the per-kilogram cost. Their scarcity, labor-intensive collection process, and high demand among chefs and gourmet enthusiasts contribute to their reputation as a luxury ingredient. Beyond their culinary value, they are also celebrated for their cultural significance in the Himalayan regions, where collecting and trading them has been a traditional livelihood for local communities. The presence of Gucchi mushrooms on the menu at Rashtrapati Bhavan not only demonstrated the sophistication of Indian cuisine but also highlighted the country’s rich biodiversity and the potential of its unique regional products. For many food lovers and culinary experts, this choice reflected both pride in India’s culinary heritage and awareness of the delicate ecosystems that produce such rare ingredients. The banquet thus became a showcase for India’s ability to merge luxury, tradition, and innovation in its cuisine, while introducing guests to the exclusive flavors of the Himalayas. In conclusion, the use of Gucchi mushrooms at the banquet exemplifies how India is bringing rare, high-quality ingredients to the global stage. From their challenging harvest in remote forests to their careful preparation in state-of-the-art kitchens, these mushrooms symbolize both the country’s natural treasures and its culinary artistry. Their inclusion at such a prominent event highlights the value of preserving traditional foraging practices while promoting India’s diverse gastronomic culture to the world. : Rare Himalayan Gucchi Mushrooms Feature at Rashtrapati Bhavan Banquet for Putin, Priced at ₹40,000 per Kg At a state banquet in Rashtrapati Bhavan hosted for Russian President Vladimir Putin, a rare Himalayan ingredient stole the spotlight — Gucchi mushrooms. Known as one of the world’s most expensive mushrooms, they cost up to ₹40,000 per kilogram. Their inclusion in the all-vegetarian menu highlighted India’s rich culinary heritage and unique regional produce. Gucchi mushrooms grow only in the high-altitude forests of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. They are wild mushrooms that appear only under very specific conditions, such as the right soil, moisture after snow melts, or even following forest fires. They are available for just a few weeks each year, making them extremely rare. Collecting them is challenging, as local foragers often trek steep, remote areas to gather enough mushrooms, which adds to their high cost. The mushrooms are prized for their honeycomb-like texture and deep earthy, nutty flavor. Their natural “meaty” texture makes them a favorite meat substitute in vegetarian dishes, which is why they were selected for the banquet. Sun-drying them after harvest reduces their weight and increases their per-kilogram price even more. Their rarity and the careful effort required to collect and prepare them make Gucchi mushrooms a luxury ingredient in gourmet kitchens. By including these mushrooms in the state banquet, India showcased its culinary innovation and the richness of its regional flavors. It also drew attention to the traditional livelihoods of Himalayan communities and the delicate ecosystems that produce such rare ingredients. For chefs and food enthusiasts, Gucchi mushrooms are more than just a costly delicacy — they are a symbol of India’s culinary craftsmanship and natural treasures.