Rachel BairdWhile mushrooms may be commonly thought to grow in “shit” or manure, despite their name, Shiitake Mushrooms (Lentinula edodes), also called “Black Forest Mushrooms” and “Oakwood Mushrooms,” take their name from the shii tree on which they grow. These wood-growing mushrooms — native to Japan, Korea, and China — have also adapted to growing on a variety of hardwoods and are the most popular edible mushrooms in the world.
Shiitake mushrooms are renowned for their health benefits as they are high in B vitamins, copper, selenium, manganese, and iron. They are also considered beginner mushrooms for home growing and are commonly cultivated on logs, sawdust blocks, or sawdust pellets. Learn more about the origins and benefits of these super forest mushrooms, along with tips on where to source and how to grow them at home.
Meet Shiitake Mushrooms
The shiitake mushroom is native to Asia and has been used for over 2,000 years (with records dating back to the Sung Dynasty), both in cuisine and medicine. There are a variety of strains, with variations being primarily for optimal growth on certain substrates as well as extended-fruiting varieties.
Shiitake are primary decomposers, meaning they are the first fungi at work to break down the organic matter. They are also saprophytes, which means they only grow and consume dead trees. This makes them relatively fast and easy to grow both indoors and outdoors, another reason for their wide cultivation.
Shiitake Fungi Facts
Shiitake mushrooms have dark-brown (almost black) umbrella-shaped caps. While many store-bought varieties are on the smaller end, the caps can range from 2 to 10 inches in diameter. As they mature, this convex shape becomes flat, and the color of the cap lightens to a tan brown. There are often white cracks on the top of the cap, and the gills and stems are white as well. When mature, the stem may turn brown.
- Shiitake is the most popular mushroom in the world, with over 150,000 tons produced a year.
- They are a good source of B vitamins, vitamin D, copper, selenium, manganese, potassium, phosphorus, and iron.
- Mushrooms with white cracks on the top of the cap are called “Flower Tops” and are prized and considered more flavorful.
Mushroom Senses
Shiitake mushrooms have a rich, meaty texture, and are often chewy and firm (especially the stems). With an unami, smoky flavor, and nutty aroma, shiitake adds a bold pop to many savory dishes. The caps of these mushrooms are often rough and irregularly shaped. In addition, the gills are serrated and tightly packed together.
Where To Source Shiitake Mushrooms
In the Store
Shiitake mushrooms are commonly found in many grocery stores and farmer’s markets around the world — especially in Asian countries and Asian grocery stores — in fresh, frozen, canned, and dried varieties. While the United States produces the majority of the world’s button mushrooms, China is the world supplier of shiitake, producing over 80% of those commercially sold.
While shiitake traditionally hasn’t grown in the wild in North America, there have been sightings of wild shiitake in the US that escaped from cultivated mushroom operations.
Growing Outdoors
Shiitake mushrooms are also easy to grow outdoors, fruiting on oaks, maples, sweet gum, and most other hardwoods, in addition to their namesake Shii tree. Logs usually fruit within 6 to 12 months of inoculation and can continue producing for up to eight years (depending on the type and diameter of the tree used). With one log holding upwards of 50 plug spawn and shiitake capable of fruiting from spring through fall, you can grow enough mushrooms for the whole family in a small space. One log can produce up to 2 pounds of mushrooms yearly.
Using a recently harvested log — about 3 to 4 feet in length and 4 to 6 inches in diameter — drill 1-inch holes into the logs using a screwdriver and drillbit. With a hammer, tap the plug spawn into the holes. Then, using a dauber, cover the plug spawn with melted wax.
Logs are best stored in a shaded location and require weekly watering during periods with no precipitation. To shock the logs once fully colonized, submerge them underwater in a large stock tank for 24 hours.
A huge benefit to growing shiitake on logs outdoors is the quality of the mushroom. Log-grown mushrooms (vs. those grown on a substrate) produce a higher-quality product. Mushrooms grown outdoors are also likely to contain higher levels of vitamin D due to the exposure to sunlight.
Growing Indoors
Indoor growing is also common, especially for large-scale commercial operations, as the inoculation to fruiting time is greatly reduced in this controlled environment. You also don’t have to compete with the weather, like with outdoor growing, meaning you can produce mushrooms year-round.
Shiitake mushrooms grow best indoors in polypropylene bags or as blocks on wire racks. Growing in bags is often preferred as it is easier to manage and control contamination. Sawdust spawn (often mixed with a small amount of rice or wheat bran) is the preferred growing medium. You can purchase pre-inoculated sawdust spawn or liquid cultures in syringes to create your own.
Indoor mushroom growing requires a high level of sanitation. Be sure to always follow the directions from where you purchased your spawn or cultures, for best results. For those new to growing mushrooms at home, try a mist and grow mushroom kit at home first, for a fun and easy introduction to growing mushrooms.
Most Common Uses for Shiitake Mushrooms
Shiitake mushrooms are particularly popular for making soups and stews. Use them fresh, or they are also easy to rehydrate and maintain all of their nutritional value. You can also grind dried shiitake into a powder and use it as a flavoring for soups, stews, or sauces. Shiitake mushrooms are also commonly used in stir-fries, pasta dishes, and risotto.
Always cook shiitake mushrooms; do not eat them raw. Some individuals experience Shiitake Dermatitis, a serious skin reaction after eating these mushrooms raw. The substance lentinan causes this reaction, which breaks down when heated.
Shiitake mushrooms are also taken as medicine, both in their fresh form and, more recently, as supplements. In addition to their many nutritional benefits, they are also proven to improve immunity, helping to fight off the common cold and reduce your chance of cancer. Shiitake mushrooms are also known to increase energy and improve brain and gut health.
The Super Mushroom Shiitake
Shiitake mushrooms are one of the super mushrooms of the world, boasting high levels of vitamin B and many health benefits. In addition to their abundance worldwide, they are also a relatively easy mushroom to grow right at home. Growing shiitake mushrooms on logs outdoors is a great way to produce your own yearly supply of mushrooms — way healthier than the store-bought alternatives.
So, what are you waiting for? Dive into the world of shiitake mushrooms today.
Sources:
Improved Immunity: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25866155/
Prevention of Cancer: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16566671/
Blood Pressure: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3443885/
Shiitake dermatitis: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4371686/
Fact sheets:
https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/f-0042
http://hwwff.cce.cornell.edu/learning-printable-unitf7e8.html?unit=4
