West Africa Is Home To The World's Largest Edible Mushroom

If you're a mushroom fan, you may enjoy whipping up some sautéed spinach and mushrooms, smoky beef and mushroom skewers, or sweet onions and mushrooms from the skillet. But if you're feeling especially hungry, you may want to take a trip to West Africa, Zambia, or the Katanga Province of DR Congo, which host the world's largest edible mushroom: Termitomyces titanicus. And it truly is a ginormous fungus, spanning three feet wide and topping the list of world's biggest edible mushrooms, according to the Guiness Book of World Records (via "Comprehensive Biotechnology: Third Edition").

Although there are other gigantic types of fungus worldwide, Termitomyces titanicus holds the title for the biggest mushroom that can be consumed. As Atlas Obscura points out, the Armillaria ostoyae fungus, or "Honey Mushroom," is the largest organism on the globe and appears to be taking over part of Oregon. However, no one seems to be dining on it. In contrast, a single cap from Termitomyces titanicus, also dubbed the "African giant mushroom" or "termite mushroom," can serve as an entire meal for local families, feeding up to 10 people.

[Featured image by Blimeo via Wikimedia Commons | Cropped and scaled | CC BY-SA 4.0]

The name Termitomyces is a nod to the fact that the giant mushroom coexists with termites, as Atlas Obscura reports: "The mushroom grows on the termite's fecal matter and breaks down plant material as food for them. Termites also chomp away at decayed mushroom tissue." In other words, the mushroom flourishes on termite poop and helps the termites break down materials such as branches or grass that the termites can feast on. The mushrooms particularly thrive in the winter, when it is wet in their regional habitat.

While the Termitomyces titanicus' home may make the mushroom sound unappetizing, it is often described as having a meaty consistency with a flavorful savory taste. On a Reddit thread covering Termitomyces titanicus, one Redditor responded to someone asking what the mushroom tastes like and wrote: "Like meat but without the high iron taste really, add soya sauce and you almost there when fried in lard or coconut oil." There are plenty of ways to prepare it, too, as Termitomyces titanicus can be grilled, roasted, or boiled.

According to "Comprehensive Biotechnology: Third Edition,"there are more than 20 types of Termitomyces (many are a lot smaller than Termitomyces titanicus) that have been discovered in numerous countries throughout Africa and Asia, and many are considered desirable for their nutritional value. And for good reason, since they're packed with folic acid, vitamin C, and carotenoids, as well as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents (per Food Chemistry).

If you're interested in taking advantage of the mushroom's qualities, you may want to contact the Mutinondo Wilderness Lodge in Kalonje, Zambia. The Mutinondo Wilderness Lodge website informs guests that on mushrooming expeditions, you can search for and sample the Termitomyces titanicus. Employees take people who are staying at the lodge on a journey to collect the mushrooms during the winter. Their expert guidance doesn't end there: While showing off the 25 or so other varieties of edible mushrooms to be found, you'll likely be required to show park employees the mushrooms you pick up — just to ensure they're safe to consume.

[Featured image by sparkle via Wikimedia Commons | Cropped and scaled | CC BY-SA 3.0]