BABY SHIITAKE (Lentinula edodes)
Baby Shiitake mushrooms are small-sized mushrooms with an umbrella-shaped tan to brown cap and are unique to RI Mushroom Co. Originally found in the mountainous regions of China, Japan, Indonesia, and Taiwan, the mushrooms recently became the second most cultivated mushroom in the world.
Baby Shiitake mushrooms are harvested early, leading to a tender stem great for eating in one bite. These delicious all-purpose cooking mushrooms don’t require much preparation.
Flavor Profile: Savory, nutty, fragrant, meaty, chewy texture
Cooking Methods: Roasted, sautéed, skewered, grilled, marinated, soups
Fun Fact: Shiitake mushrooms have some of the highest concentrations of umami (pronounced oo-MAH-mee) in any mushroom. Umami translates to “delicious” in Japanese and is described as a savory, rich, or meaty taste sensation. Umami indicates high levels of glutamates, an amino acid that is picked up by our taste buds and contributes to the satisfying and complete taste in foods like seared steak, parmesan, soy sauce, and roasted mushrooms.
