Shiitake Mushrooms
Estimated Inventory, 5 lbs : 26.13
This item was last sold on : 03/08/25
Description/Taste
Soft suede-like shiitake mushrooms, pronounced shee-TAH-kay, are most often light amber-to-buff but sometimes they may look almost black. Extremely handsome, this mushroom is umbrella shaped and has a characteristic curled rim. The cream-colored interior is described as supple-firm and releases a wonderful garlicky-pine tantalizing aroma. Popular with chefs, shiitake mushrooms offer a remarkably rich earthy smoky flavor.
Seasons/Availability
Cultivated shiitake mushrooms are available year-round.
Current Facts
This sought-after mushroom has especially boomed in production during the last ten years in the United States. Mushrooms marketed in reputable supermarkets and specialty stores are perfectly safe to eat. Experiencing an enormous culinary demand, the fresh mushroom crop has mushroomed into a one billion dollar industry.
Nutritional Value
Shiitake mushrooms provide high levels of protein, potassium, niacin, B vitamins, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. Nutritionally, studies reveal that this mushroom fights viruses, lowers cholesterol and regulates blood pressure. Low in sodium and low in calories, mushrooms are a source of fiber. Studies also show shiitake mushrooms have positive effects on the immune system.
Applications
Shiitake mushrooms pair well with a variety of foods. Add succulent texture and great taste to soups and stir-fries. Sauces, casseroles, duxelles, gravies, stews and rice dishes especially love their flavorful company. Sauté then braise; sprinkle with favorite spices and fresh herbs. Grilled or broiled, shiitake mushrooms require a generous amount of oil. Slice or chop stems; cook separately in oil or stock until soft. Add cooked stems to sautéed vegetables and stews. To clean, wipe with a damp paper towel or use a mushroom brush. To store, place unwashed mushrooms in one or two layers in a shallow dish covered with a slightly damp paper towel or cheesecloth. Do not seal mushrooms in plastic. Shiitake mushrooms will keep for one week but may lose their special fragrance and texture. For best quality, this mushroom demands immediate attention. Cut a cross in the top of the cap to allow the mushroom to cook through its thickest part.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
The second most commonly produced edible mushroom worldwide, the shiitake is the most common dried mushroom in Asian markets. Prized by gourmets, shiitake mushrooms are available in both fresh and dried form. Popular in oriental cuisine, shiitakes are favored because they are quite flavorful and easy to grow. Due to the intense and vast amount of research done on this variety alone, the shiitake has many medicinal uses, as well as being used in a variety of Asian dishes. In Asia, mushrooms are revered as the ultimate health food. A Japanese wine called Healthy Wine is made from the shiitake mushroom. Lentinan is an extract from shiitake mushrooms and is known throughout Asia as a potent anticancer drug. Shiitake extract has been used to treat cancer, Aids, diabetes, breast cancer and other conditions with great results. When eaten regularly, the shiitake has been shown to reduce blood cholesterol. Many Chinese and Japanese people consider the healing powers of mushrooms as unquestioned. Along with all their many virtues, American cuisine progressively caught on to the endless enjoyment edible mushrooms lend themselves to the pleasure of dining.
Geography/History
One of the most popular of all Japanese mushrooms, the shiitake is a close relative of the black mushroom of China. Grown in China, it is known as the winter mushroom. Shiitake mushrooms were actually first cultivated in China thousands of years ago. Later flourishing in Japan, they have been cultivated there more than two thousand years. Grown commercially in a controlled atmosphere at Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, these mushrooms love growing on hardwood sawdust held in plastic mesh. When it comes to growing on trees, shiitakes prefer oak, Japanese alder, maple, teak and mahogany logs. This mushroom gets its name from the shii tree, on which they grow wild in Japan. Also found growing on dying or dead beech trees and Asian oaks, this mushroom has never been found growing wild in North America. Other names include golden oak mushroom, Chinese black mushroom and Japanese black mushroom. Medical research has been carefully studying the potential health benefits of the shiitake mushroom.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Reata Glen | Ladera Ranch CA | 949-545-2250 |
| Saiko Sushi-Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-0868 |
| Wrench and Rodent | Oceanside CA | 760-840-1976 |
| SD Continuing Education Culinary Arts | 619-719-6924 | |
| Ulivo | San Diego CA | 619-962-7345 |
| Golden Door Bakery | San Marcos CA | 760-761-4142 |
| Inn at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
| Food by Chef Ty | Vista CA | 424-278-8626 |
| Farmer and The Seahorse | San Diego CA | 619-302-3682 |
| 264 Fresco (Kitchen) | Carlsbad CA | 760-720-3737 |
| Belmont Park Cannonball | San Diego CA | 858-228-9283 |
| Third Corner Encinitas | Encinitas CA | (760) 942-2104 |
| DoubleTree By Hilton San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-881-6900 |
| Public House 131 | San Diego CA | 858-537-0890 |
| Lauberge Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-259-1515 |
| Humphrey's | San Diego CA | 619-224-3577 |
| Juniper & Ivy | San Diego CA | 858-481-3666 |
| Parkhouse Eatery | San Diego CA | 619 295 7275 |
| The Glen at Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-444-8500 |
| Bishop School | San Diego CA | 858-459-4021 |
| WineSellar & Brasserie | San Diego CA | 858-450-9557 |
| Marisi La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 951-852-6730 |
| Kingfisher | San Diego CA | 619-861-8074 |
| Woods Hole Oceanographic Inst. | San Diego CA | 508-289-2667 |
| Azuki Sushi Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-238-4760 |
| The Plot Restaurant (Costa Mesa) | Costa Mesa CA | 714-852-3181 |
| Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
| Burgeon Beer Co. | San Diego CA | 760-814-2548 |
| UCSD Food & Nutrition Department La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-761-1269 |
| KI's | Encinitas CA | 760-586-8289 |
| Bread & Cie Café | San Diego CA | 619-683-9322 |
| Choi's | San Diego CA | 858-900-1224 |
| insideOUT | San Diego CA | 619-888-8623 |
| Portside Pier (TopSail) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| Fresh Sushi Catering | Carlsbad CA | 858-344-7098 |
| Fish Guts | San Diego CA | 619-888-0081 |
| Pacific Regent La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-597-8008 |
| The Santaluz Club Inc - Main Dining | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
| Finca North Park | San Diego CA | 619-581-3003 |
| Ju-Ichi | San Diego CA | 619-800-2203 |
| Stake Chophouse & Bar | Coronado CA | 619-522-0077 |
| Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-1582 |
| Ridgeview Health Center | San Diego CA | 858-293-3950 |
| Piatti | San Diego CA | 858-454-1589 |
| Bar Same Same (Kitchen) | Carlsbad CA | 760-470-9143 |
| US Grant Hotel Main | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Craft House Fashion Valley | San Diego CA | 619-948-4458 |
| Copper Kings | San Marcos CA | 323-810-1662 |
| Barra Oliba | San Diego CA | 610-310-5110 |
| Botanica | San Diego CA | 619-310-6320 |
| US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Ketch Grill and Taps | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| Sushi Tadokoro | San Diego CA | 619-347-2792 |
| Craft House Sky Deck | San Diego CA | 619-948-4458 |
| Oyster and Pearl Bar Restaurant | La Mesa CA | 619-303-8118 |
| Mission Bay Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 858-488-0501 |
| Eddie V's La Jolla - EV# 8511 | La Jolla CA | 858-459-5500 |
| Seneca | San Diego CA | 619-588-2411 |
| Blind Lady | San Diego CA | 619-381-4475 |
| Pizza Cassette | San Diego CA | 802-310-5601 |
| Huntress (Banquet) | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
| Under Belly-Uptown | San Diego CA | 619-269-4626 |
| Carte Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-365-1858 |
| Pamplemousse Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-792-9090 |
| The Cottage | La Jolla CA | 858-454-8408 |
| Books and Records | San Diego CA | 619-310-5298 |
| The Guild Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-764-5108 |
| Park Hyatt Aviara | Carlsbad CA | 760-448-1234 |
| Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
| AKA | San Diego CA | 619-595-1450 |
| Harney Sushi | San Diego CA | 619-295-3272 |
| Miho | San Diego CA | 619-365-5655 |
| Huntress | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
| The Joint | San Diego CA | 619-222-8272 |
| Sushi Nekosan | La Jolla CA | 858-999-0999 |
| PureTaco | Carlsbad CA | 760-845-3346 |
| Kairoa Brewing Company | San Diego CA | 858-735-0051 |
| Black Radish | San Diego CA | 619-775-7412 |
| Hilton Garden Inn - Homewood Suites San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-696-6300 |
| Raki Raki & Co. | San Diego CA | 858-573-2400 |
| The Farm Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-5585 |
| Madison | San Diego CA | 619-822-3465 |
| Park Commons - ARE | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Rubicon Deli India Street | San Diego CA | 619-200-4201 |
| Portside Pier (Ketch Tasting Deck) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| Birdseye Rooftop | San Diego CA | 619-206-7220 |
| Bali Hai Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-222-1181 |
| Rubicon Deli-UTC | San Diego CA | 858-877-9911 |
| Kinme Omakase | San Diego CA | 619-231-0700 |
| Mission Bay Beach Club | San Diego CA | 858-201-7551 |
| Coast Catering | Escondido CA | 619-295-3173 |
| Shimbashi Izakaya | Del Mar CA | 858-523-0479 |
| Giuseppe Restaurants & Fine Catering | San Diego CA | 619-436-7006 |
| Singing Hills Golf Resort | El Cajon CA | 619-445-6002 x1 |
| Terra Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-293-7088 |
| Kettner Exchange | San Diego CA | 909-915-9877 |
| Solare Ristorante Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-270-9670 |
| Harmony Cuisine 2B1 | San Diego CA | 858-737-4777 |
| Mister A's | San Diego CA | 619-239-1377 |
| Jake's Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-2002 |
| Harney Sushi Oceanside | Oceanside CA | 760-967-1820 |
| Busy Bee Cook For Me | San Diego CA | 858-405-5372 |
| PFC Fitness Camp | Carlsbad CA | 888-488-8936 |
| Andrew Spurgin | San Diego CA | 619-277-6020 |
| Rustic Root Solana | Solana Beach CA | 619-955-5750 |
| The Bowl | San Diego CA | 619-813-5865 |
| Lumi | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
| Brigantine Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-481-1166 |
| Bencotto Italian Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-822-5493 |
| Make Stuff Good | San Diego CA | 949-547-9470 |
| Royal Polaris Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-226-8030 |
| Sugar Bear Enterprises | San Diego CA | 925-383-3623 |
| Rosewood Social | San Juan Capistrano CA | 669-243-8403 |
| Under Belly-Little Italy Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-269-4626 |
| Culinary Concepts | San Diego CA | 619-865-1918 |
| Shoreside Support Boat | San Diego CA | 704-277-7929 |
| Moment Sushi | San Diego CA | 858-230-6268 |
| Golden Door | San Marcos CA | 760-761-4142 |
| Cesarina | San Diego CA | 619-226-6222 |
| Mission Ave Bar and Grill | Oceanside CA | 760-717-5899 |
| Barbarella La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-454-7373 |
| Thai One On | Carlsbad CA | 760-500-8674 |
| Sycuan Casino | El Cajon CA | 619-445-6002 |
| Inn at Rancho Santa Fe (Banquet) | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
| Common Theory Chula Vista | Chula Vista CA | 619-495-3689 |
| The Original 40 Brewing | San Diego CA | 619-206-4725 |
| Park Hyatt Aviara (Ember & Rye) | Carlsbad CA | 760-448-1234 |
| Baja Cavi | Lomas de Valle Verde 22810 | 619-295-3172 |
| University Club | San Diego CA | 619-234-5200 |
| Top of the Market | San Diego CA | 619-234-4867 |
| Mesa College | San Diego CA | 619-388-2240 |
| Counterpoint | San Diego CA | 619-564-6722 |
| Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 619-795-9135 |
| Red O Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-291-8360 |
| Kitchens For Good | San Diego CA | 619-450-4040 |
| Nolita Hall | San Diego CA | 619-618-8820 |
| Pizzeria Luigi | San Diego CA | 610-539-7025 |
| Bleu Boheme | San Diego CA | 619-255-4167 |
| Brigantine La Mesa | La Mesa CA | 619-465-1935 |
| Puesto-Mission Valley | San Diego CA | 619-804-4217 |
| Deeply Nourished | La Jolla CA | 808-489-7366 |
| The Smoking Goat | San Diego CA | 858-232-4220 |
