Shiitake mushrooms, a delectable and nutritious edible mushroom variety, originate from East Asia, particularly Japan, China, and Korea. They are prized for their meaty texture, rich taste, and numerous health advantages. These mushrooms are a staple in Asian cuisine, often featured in soups, stir-fries, and noodle dishes.
Grown in countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and Europe, shiitake mushrooms have a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine for their purported antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Lentinan, a compound found in shiitake mushrooms, has been demonstrated to boost the immune system and may even aid in cancer treatment.
When selecting shiitake mushrooms, choose firm ones with a slightly glossy surface, and store them in the refrigerator for up to a week. Before cooking, remove the tough, fibrous stems. Dried shiitake mushrooms can also be rehydrated and used in recipes, with the soaking liquid serving as a flavorful base for soups and sauces. In Japanese culture, shiitake mushrooms symbolize longevity and good health.
Overall, shiitake mushrooms are a versatile ingredient with various health benefits, suitable for incorporating into a wide array of dishes. This easy-to-grow strain can produce mushrooms for months. When grown professionally, the resulting large shiitake mushrooms are comparable in quality to those found in restaurants and grocery stores.
To get the best yield results with our gourmet mushroom grow kits, we recommend using one of our monotubs. Check them out here!
You can also use one of our humidity domes. Find those here!
**In stock, ready to ship while supplies last**
- Fruiting Temperature: 65-80 degrees
- Light Cycle: 10-12 hours of light per day
- Water Cycle: Mist with water 1-2 times per day using included ultra-fine pump mister (Maintain a lower humidity level around 50%)
- Average Yield: 2.5-3 pounds of mushrooms (wet weight)
Shiitake mushrooms, known for their distinct taste and appearance, provide a variety of nutritional benefits.
Nutritional Value: Shiitake mushrooms are low in calories and fat while offering a good source of protein and dietary fiber. They are packed with vitamins and minerals, including B vitamins (B2, B3, B5, and B6), vitamin D, copper, manganese, selenium, zinc, and potassium. The combination of these nutrients supports various bodily functions and contributes to overall health.
Taste: Shiitake mushrooms have a rich, savory, and earthy flavor, often described as umami. This unique taste complements many dishes, enhancing the overall flavor profile. The meaty texture of shiitake mushrooms provides a satisfying mouthfeel, making them a popular choice for vegetarian and vegan dishes as a meat substitute.
Appearance: Shiitake mushrooms have a distinct appearance, featuring a medium to large-sized, broad, and slightly convex cap with a diameter ranging from 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm). The cap's color varies from light to dark brown, sometimes with a slight sheen. The mushroom's gills are white or cream-colored and extend down the stem. The stems are generally tough and fibrous, which is why they are often removed before cooking. However, they can be saved to flavor stocks or broths. When dried, shiitake mushrooms' caps become wrinkled and darker, while their flavor intensifies. Rehydrating them in water or broth brings back their original texture and adds a concentrated, umami-rich taste to the soaking liquid, which can then be used in various recipes.
- 5 pound colonized spawn bag
- Ultra-fine pump mister
- Simple Instructions
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