"More Expensive Than King Crab When Dried": The Secret of a Chinese Delicacy Discovered on a Front Lawn

A type of lichen appears after rainfall

Caution advised: Not safe to eat indiscriminately

Recently, heavy rainfall in Hangzhou, China, has led to the emergence of seasonal food ingredients, sparking a buzz on social networking services (SNS) with photos and posts related to these finds.

On June 24, Sina Finance in China reported, "After two days of rain in Hangzhou, a post stating 'A food more expensive than king crab is growing in my lawn' has become popular on SNS."

After the rain in China, lichen food sources have emerged and gained popularity. China Weibo.

This ingredient is a type of lichen—a composite organism that typically appears desiccated but, after rain, absorbs water and swells, transforming into a slippery form similar to seaweed or wood ear mushrooms. In China, it is known as 'shihua' (stone flower) and is considered a delicacy due to its unique texture.

One resident shared on SNS, "After dinner, I went for a walk and discovered shihua in the apartment lawn," adding, "It was covered in moss, but I was so pleased that I picked a few grams and brought them home."

Lichens have become popular food items in China after the rain, gaining attention on Chinese Weibo.

After rain in China, edible lichens appear and become popular. According to China's Weibo.

Online users commented, "It tastes great, but cleaning it is a hassle," while others said, "It's soft and chewy—truly exquisite." "The dried version is expensive, selling for as much as 349 yuan (about 80,000 won) per 500 grams, making it pricier than king crab." One user shared that they replaced vegetables with shihua and eggs for a diet and lost 3 kilograms, expressing satisfaction. Methods for enjoying it are also being shared on SNS.

This ingredient is rich in protein, vitamin C, amino acids, minerals, and calcium, and is believed to have a cooling effect on the body. However, because of its cold nature, excessive consumption may cause abdominal pain, so moderation is advised. In particular, it should be lightly blanched in boiling water rather than eaten raw. Sina Finance also cautioned, "Do not collect it near chemical plants or contaminated water sources," and added, "Be careful as areas along the streets may be exposed to animal waste or pesticides."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.