Shiitake Mushroom Whole

What is a shiitake mushroom? The shiitake mushroom, or Lentinula edodes, is a wood-dwelling fungal species belonging to the Agaricales order that is edible and therapeutic. The shiitake mushroom, which is native to East Asia, is one of the most widely grown fungi worldwide. Shiitake mushrooms are rich in dietary fiber, B vitamins (particularly pantothenic acid), copper, selenium, manganese, and iron, and are a staple in many Asian and vegetarian recipes. The fungus contains many physiologically active compounds, including the polysaccharide lentinan, which has been shown in certain studies to be effective against cancer and other disorders. This fungus has been used extensively in traditional Asian medicine. Shiitake mushrooms are saprotrophs, like other members of the genus Lentinula, meaning they feed on the deadwood of broad-leaved trees, particularly oaks and other trees in the order Fagales. Commercial fungi often grow on logs, sawdust blocks, or sawdust pellets. These fungi produce fruiting bodies that range in color from pale to reddish brown, with a convex pileus (cap) held aloft by a fibrous stipe (stalk). The pileus has white gills on its underside and may have a…