In Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, to survive and regain stamina, the player must consume food. This article provides information about the edible plants in the game.
Plants can only be transformed into rations; they cannot be captured in the player's cages. Fruits and vine melons typically hang from tree branches, while mushrooms tend to grow at the base of trees and on logs. Fruits and melons hanging from branches and vines usually need to be shot down. Mushrooms can be turned into rations by damaging them (with a punch, a kick, a knife, a grenade, etc.), as can fruits and vine melons already lying on the ground. Collecting all fruits and fungi in the HD version will unlock the achievements/trophies "Everything is In Season" and "Fungus Among Us," respectively.
Baikal Scaly Tooth[]
- Ration Name: MUSHROOM G
- Initial Taste: Terrible
- Stamina Recovery: Special (Scaly Cap Antidote)
The Baikal Scaly Tooth mushroom is utilized as an antidote to poison. Typically growing on the trunks of trees, it can first be found in Dremuchij East on a log in the larger area and is last found in Tikhogornyj.
Fly Agaric[]
- Ration Name: MUSHROOM D
- Initial Taste: Poisonous
- Stamina Recovery: Low to Moderate
The fly agaric is a relative of the deathcap mushroom that exclusively grows in the specified region. While it can be found on the ground, it is poisonous and should not be consumed. The toxins present in the fly agaric include fallotoxins and amatoxins. Ingesting it leads to initial symptoms such as nausea, stomach pain, and diarrhea, culminating in the breakdown of the liver and kidneys into a sponge-like substance, ultimately causing death. Interestingly, when thrown at a hungry soldier, the soldier eats it and succumbs. The fly agaric can be found in Graniny Gorki South.
Golova[]
- Ration Name: FRUIT C
- Initial Taste: Fairly tasty
- Stamina Recovery: Excellent
A golova is a fruit found hanging from trees, related to the jackfruit commonly found in Southeast Asia. It has a pleasing taste, like most fruits, and provides a decent stamina increase. Golova, meaning 'head' in Russian, is likely named so because the fruit grows to about the size of a human head. Golovas grow directly off the trunk of the tree. They are first found in Dremuchij Swampland (both on the tree branch and on the ground) and are last found in Zaozyorje East, where they serve as excellent food for EVA.
Russian False Mango[]
- Ration Name: FRUIT B
- Initial Taste: Tasty
- Stamina Recovery: Moderate
The Russian False Mango is a mango-like fruit exclusive to Tselinoyarsk. This egg-shaped fruit is sweet and tangy with a pleasing aroma, much like a mango. Additionally, the seeds can be utilized to create a medicine that aids in digestion. They are initially found in Dremuchij South and last found in Zaozyorje South.
Russian Glowcap[]
- Ration Name: MUSHROOM E
- Initial Taste: Fairly Tasty
- Stamina Recovery: Special (Recharges battery!)
The Russian Glowcap is a type of luminescent fungus—a mushroom that glows in the dark. It is bioluminescent, akin to a firefly, utilizing the luciferin-luciferase reaction. Simply put, luciferin reacts with luciferase in the presence of magnesium ions (Mg2+), breaking it down into oxyluciferin and carbon dioxide. The carbonyl groups in the oxyluciferin are initially in an electrically excited state, and upon returning to their base state, they emit light.
Consuming it charges up Snake's batteries, much to Para-Medic's confusion. Regarding a conversation prior to and post-consumption, if the Placebo Effect is true, this would explain the observed effects. Otherwise, it remains unknown what batteries Snake runs on.
Russian Oyster Mushroom[]
- Ration Name: MUSHROOM A
- Initial Taste: Bad
- Stamina Recovery: Low
The Russian Oyster Mushroom is an edible variety belonging to the Shimeji family. It is notably rich in vitamin B1 and Niacin. Typically, it is found growing on tree stumps and hollow logs.
Siberian Ink Cap[]
- Ration Name: MUSHROOM C
- Initial Taste: Bad
- Stamina Recovery: Low
The Siberian Ink Cap is a mushroom from the ink cap family, and its life cycle is transitory. Once the spores mature, the cap begins to turn black, liquefy, and melt away. Ink caps contain coprin, which inhibits the function of aldehyde dehydrogenase, preventing the body from breaking down alcohol. This leads to a buildup of acetaldehyde, or as Para-Medic describes it, "the hangover from hell." The Siberian Ink Cap is initially found in Dremuchij and is last found in Zaozyorje North.
Spatsa[]
- Ration Name: MUSHROOM F
- Initial Taste: Fairly Tasty
- Stamina Recovery: Special (Puts eater to sleep)
The spatsa is a grey mushroom that grows on the ground. Found in Graniny Gorki Lab 1F (at the base of the tree in the "garden"), Svyatogornyj South, and Sokrovenno West, it contains a tranquilizer that Snake can apply to his knockout handkerchief. When eaten, Snake falls asleep due to the tranquilizer. The nap allows him to regenerate stamina, but leaves him defenseless, and his snoring may alert nearby guards.
Ural Luminescent[]
- Ration Name: MUSHROOM B
- Initial Taste: Poisonous
- Stamina Recovery: Low
The Ural luminescent mushroom is exclusive to Tselinoyarsk. Resembling a shiitake mushroom, it is commonly found growing on tree trunks. Contrary to Para-Medic's "guide," it is, in fact, poisonous. These mushrooms are specifically located in Svyatogornyj West near the quicksand patch.
Vine Melon[]
- Ration Name: VEGETABLE
- Initial Taste: Fairly Tasty
- Stamina Recovery: Moderate
The Vine Melon is a type of melon commonly found in Tselinoyarsk. True to its name, it is a melon that grows on a vine. The flesh is crisp and delicious, and the Vine Melon is rich in potassium and carotene, making it a healthy choice. These melons are initially found in Svyatogornyj South and are last found in Tikhogornyj.
Yabloko Moloko[]
- Ration Name: FRUIT A
- Initial Taste: Bad
- Stamina Recovery: Minimal
"Yabloko Moloko" is a Russian name that roughly translates to 'milk apple.' It is a type of star apple. The juice is thick and sweet, resembling milk, hence the name. When cut in half lengthwise, a star-shaped ring radiating from the center becomes visible. Contrary to Para-Medic's guide, it doesn't actually taste good, making it the only fruit in the game with this characteristic. These fruits are initially found in Dremuchij North and last appear in Sokrovenno North.