SHIITAKE (Lentinula edodes)
Shiitake mushrooms are medium-sized mushroom caps with an umbrella-shaped tan to brown cap. Originally found in the mountainous regions of China, Japan, Indonesia, and Taiwan, the mushrooms recently became the second most cultivated mushroom in the world.
They are popular all-purpose cooking mushrooms in both fresh and dried form. The stems are woody, and usually discarded, but can be used to make mushroom broth or fortify other homemade broths or soups.
Flavor Profile: Savory, earthy, fragrant, meaty, chewy texture
Cooking Methods: Roasted, sauteed, skewered, grilled, marinated, soups, dried
Fun Fact: According to a Chinese legend, around 5,000 years ago, a deity known as Shennong bestowed the world with natural medicinal ingredients including Shiitakes. This was one of the earliest forms of nutrition-based healing and laid the foundation for Ayurvedic medicine, superfoods, and modern dietetics.
