The process of culturing Cordyceps pupae in China

Chinese scientists build a process to grow replacement products of cordyceps in the laboratory.

Cordyceps is considered a rare and expensive specialty in China. Because the supply of this product in nature is very limited, Chinese scientists since 1986 have developed a model of cultivating low-cost Cordyceps pupae products instead.

In a report made in 2012, China Central Television (CCTV) described the process of cultivating artificial Cordyceps nymphs in the laboratory.

Ms. Quach Anh Lan, secretary of the China Mushroom Association, a specialist of the Institute of Microbiology, said China started to research and cultivate artificial Cordyceps nymphs after isolating Cordyceps spores from nature.

Initially, Cordyceps larvae are grown by transplanting spores into butterfly pupae . Later, scientists found a way to cultivate Northern herbs on rice or wheat in 30-40 days, contributing to a significant reduction in product costs.

Cordyceps nymphs can be cultured artificially on a large scale, with low cost.

According to Professor Tham Nam Anh, Cordyceps sinensis is a fungus that grows only in natural conditions in the highlands of Tibet. Meanwhile, Cordyceps militaris , also known as northern Cordyceps militaris , can be cultivated artificially on a large scale and at a low cost.

While cordyceps is priced at several thousand USD / kg, Cordyceps pupae only a few dozen USD a kg.