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Shiitake
Lentinula edodes
The world's second most cultivated mushroom, prized across Asia for thousands of years. Shiitake delivers rich umami flavor and is packed with immune-boosting compounds that modern science is just beginning to understand.
DID YOU KNOW?
The word 'shiitake' comes from 'shii' (a Japanese oak tree) and 'take' (mushroom) — literally 'oak mushroom.'
OPTIMAL CONDITIONS
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
80–90%
Fresh Air Exchange
Moderate
SUBSTRATE OPTIONS
Hardwood Sawdust Blocks
Supplemented oak sawdust. Standard commercial method.
Hardwood Logs
Traditional outdoor method on oak or sweetgum logs. 6-18 month colonization.
GROWING TIMELINE
Inoculation
1 day
Introduce spawn to sterilized sawdust blocks or drill-and-plug logs.
Colonization
30-60 days
Slow, thorough colonization. Block surface turns brown when ready.
Cold shock
1-2 days
Submerge block in cold water or refrigerate to trigger fruiting.
Fruiting
5-7 days
Pins emerge after cold shock and develop into classic umbrella-shaped caps.
Harvest
3-5 days
Caps reach 70-80% open with slight curl at edges.
HARVEST TIPS
- ✓Harvest when caps are 70-80% open with slight curl at edges
- ✓Twist and pull gently — don't cut
- ✓Dehydrate extras for intense concentrated umami
IN THE KITCHEN
- 🍳Rich umami base for broths and ramen
- 🍳Sautéed with sesame oil and ginger
- 🍳Dried shiitake has even more intense flavor than fresh
MEDICINAL BENEFITS
- 💊Lentinan — potent immune system booster
- 💊Contains all 8 essential amino acids
- 💊Traditional Chinese medicine staple for vitality