Tiny People on Your Plate: China Sells a Mushroom That Sends Diners to Lilliput (2 photos)
If you thought century eggs or bat soup were China's most unusual delicacies, think again. In Yunnan province, locals flock to markets to buy a wild mushroom that transforms the world into a real-life version of *Gulliver's Travels*—and it is all completely legal. 
The wild mushroom *Lanmaoa asiatica*—known locally as *jian shou qing*, which translates to "blue-touch hand"—is a true superstar of local cuisine. It boasts an insanely rich, savory flavor that people are willing to risk their sanity for.
The trick lies entirely in the cooking process. Thoroughly cooked, it yields a divine and completely safe meal. But if the chef rushes, welcome to a multi-day trip. Nearly 96% of people who consume undercooked mushrooms experience the exact same shockingly detailed vision: hundreds of tiny people, clowns, or elves. 
A researcher once documented a real incident at a Chinese restaurant: as patrons ate their soup, they felt as though miniature figures were jumping off their spoons into the broth, swimming around, and waving their hands while getting stuck in diners' mouths. The hallucinations are so vivid that these "uninvited guests" can be seen casually walking up walls, hiding under sofas, and climbing over furniture. This trip can last for up to three days straight.
During peak mushroom season (June through August), Chinese hospitals routinely admit hundreds of patients complaining about "brazen little people." Yet no one is looking to ban the business—it is simply too profitable.
Local restaurateurs came up with a brilliant fix: when serving mushroom hot pot (which cooks right at the table in front of guests), the waiter sets a timer for exactly 15 minutes. Customers are strictly warned: "Don't touch your chopsticks until it beeps, or you'll end up with hallucinations on your plate."
