Image from Openrice
Ever since I have found out that this Brother 3 of Tam Boy Yunnan Rice Noodles is actually my student long time ago (found out from the first visit not long ago), I have visited his Mongkok branch 3 times. Not because I have discount (in fact, if I had known, I would definitely ask for one) and also not because he has found out that I know about his multi-million business, but there is really something attractive about the peppery spicy soup base that a spicy-food lover like me can't resist.
But today, I am not going to talk about the soup, because I have no pictures to show you, instead, I would like to talk about one mushroom that I have never found interests in but all of a sudden, fell in love with.
And that, is the Bamboo Fungus, or Phallus indusiatus, a member of the stinkhorn fungus. Why stinkhorn? Because the cap / top of the mushroom gives out a really stinky smell, so the male pickers really have to endure some smells before obtaining this lovely mushroom, as for female pickers, they might enjoy it (Why?). Why is it called bamboo fungus? Because they are grown "on agricultural wastes—bamboo-trash sawdust covered with a thin layer of non-sterilized soil"[1]
Image from Wikipedia
I think most of you have tried this mushroom before, but since I am new to this, I say I am attracted by its whiteness, crunchiness and health value, since the mushroom is "rich in protein, carbohydrates and dietary fiber"[1], "contains various bioactive compounds, and has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties."[1], and "The concentration of several mineral elements, including potassium, sodium, and iron was also favorable compared to fruits and vegetables"[1] As to how much goodness there are specifically, you will have to read up from the links I have below. For now, I know that if I want a vege-diet, I will definitely eat more bamboo fungus.
Image from HAPPY HOME: Fish maw soup with Bamboo fungus
Homework:
Why do I say that the female pickers might enjoy the picking of this mushroom?
Vocabulary:
endure -- (vb) [T] to suffer something difficult, unpleasant or painful
Resources:
http://www.openrice.com/english/restaurant/sr2.htm?shopid=21615
Bamboo Fungus
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phallus_indusiatus
All That the Rain Promises and More: A Hip Pocket Guide to Western Mushrooms By David Arora
http://books.google.com/books?id=87ct90d4B9gC&lpg=PA241&dq=phallus%20hadriani&pg=PA241#v=onepage&q=phallus%20hadriani&f=false
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/endure_1
