Dried Shiitake Mushrooms

Dried Shiitake: Dried Shiitake mushrooms are the dehydrated version of one of the most popular and healthful mushroom varieties. Altough introduced to the west by way of Japan, shiitake mushrooms originated in East Asia and have ancient roots in China too. Cultivated for over 1000 years, shiitake mushrooms grow wild on decaying hardwood and so are easily grown commercially. Growing shiitake mushrooms is so easy that small home mushroom kits are available for anyone interested in growing their own. Dried Shiitake mushrooms retain much of the flavor of fresh shiitake (as with most dried mushrooms the flavor seems to be enhanced by drying them), and they have a longer shelf life and are easily reconstituted in hot water, or through cooking in soups or stews. The stems of shiitake mushrooms can be tough, so make sure you trim them whether using fresh or dried. Keeping a variety of dried mushrooms on hand is a great way to add fungal variety to your home or commercial menu! And no collection of dried mushrooms is complete without the venerated shiitake!

Shiitake mushrooms can help reduce cholesterol and blood pressure, can help improve immune response and liver function, and are even reported to fight tumors. Shiitake have been grown in Asia since prehistoric times, and their use in traditional folk medicine is well documented. Shiitake mushrooms are high in protein, fiber, carbs, vitamins and minerals. The long list of health issues that shiitake might help alleviate includes: energy levels, colds, prostate cancer, hepatitis, HIV, stomach cancer, chemo-therapy, respiratory diseases, liver problems, etc, etc.... In general most edible mushroom varieties are well know for their health benefits, but shiitake seems to be one of the most beneficial. A shiitake a day keeps the doctor away!

Dried Shiitake Facts:
• One of the most popular gourmet mushroom varieties
• Shiitake are grown commercially
• Shiitake have been cultivated since prehistoric times
• Native to Japan and east Asia
• Historically have been used for food and for their health benefits
• Dried Shiitake have a long shelf life
• Dried Shiitake have a stronger flavor than fresh
• Dried Shiitake are easily reconstituted
• May have anti-tumor properties

Nutritional data per 100g reconstituted: Alanine - 0.567 g Arginine - 0.648 g Ash - 4.56 g Aspartic acid - 0.760 g Calcium, Ca - 11 mg Carbohydrate, by difference - 75.37 g Copper, Cu - 5.165 mg Cystine - 0.196 g Energy - 1238 kj Energy - 296 kcal Fatty acids, total monounsaturated - 0.317 g Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated - 0.151 g Fatty acids, total saturated - 0.225 g Fiber, total dietary - 11.5 g Folate, DFE - 163 mcg_DFE Folate, food - 163 mcg Folate, total - 163 mcg Glutamic acid - 2.579 g Glycine - 0.414 g Histidine - 0.159 g Iron, Fe - 1.72 mg Isoleucine - 0.405 g Leucine - 0.679 g Lysine - 0.343 g Magnesium, Mg - 132 mg Manganese, Mn - 1.176 mg Methionine - 0.179 g Niacin - 14.100 mg Pantothenic acid - 21.879 mg Phenylalanine - 0.486 g Phosphorus, P - 294 mg Potassium, K - 1534 mg Proline - 0.414 g Protein - 9.58 g Riboflavin - 1.270 mg Selenium, Se - 46.1 mcg Serine - 0.506 g Sodium, Na - 13 mg Sugars, total - 2.21 g Thiamin - 0.300 mg Threonine - 0.497 g Total lipid (fat) - 0.99 g Tryptophan - 0.031 g Tyrosine - 0.323 g Valine - 0.486 g Vitamin B-6 - 0.965 mg Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid - 3.5 mg Water - 9.50 g Zinc, Zn - 7.66 mg

Dried Shiitake Mushrooms

Where to buy: Dried Shiitake