The forests around Nyingchi in the Xizang autonomous region are once again filled with the earthy aroma of matsutake mushrooms as the short annual harvesting season begins.

Matsutake mushrooms are prized for their flavor and rarity. They only grow in undisturbed forests at least 20 years old. They form a symbiotic relationship with tree roots, a condition that cannot be artificially replicated, making cultivation impossible, according to a report from the Xizang Radio and TV Station.

The picking window is brief. From sprouting to maturity takes just seven days, with a three-day peak period. Nyingchi is considered one of the best habitats, but only experienced locals can reliably locate the mushrooms. Metal tools are avoided during collection to preserve aroma; wooden sticks are used instead.

Dorje, a villager from Guthok in Bomi county, said the season has just begun, and harvests are still small. "We usually collect about 2.5 kilograms a day, but it takes a long walk deep into the forest to find them," he said.