*Shiitake mushroom, also called Chinese black mushroom or black forest mushroom, is an edible mushroom native to East Asia.

*This mushroom is available in two forms – fresh and dried.

*It is large, brown, and has a flower like appearance.

*The cap is brown in color with a cracked appearance on its surface.

*The stipe is short, cylindrical and smooth.

*The gills present on the underside of the cap are narrow, crowded and free.

*Buying and storage: Select mushrooms that are firm, plump, and clean without any bruises, soft, or wet slimy spots. Store fresh mushrooms in the refrigerator, either in a loosely closed paper bag, wrapped in a damp cloth or laid out in a glass dish covered with a moist cloth to prevent them from losing moisture. Fresh mushrooms keep well for up to one week when stored in the refrigerator. Dried mushrooms should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer, where they will stay fresh for six months to one year.

Is it raw?

Yes and No.
*Yes, if picked fresh or if it says raw or sundried on the package.
*No, canned mushrooms at the supermarkets are processed and not raw.
Make sure you read the label.

Health Benefits

1. Dried shiitake mushrooms provide good amount of calories, carbohydrates, dietary fiber and protein, but are very less in fat.

2. Very good source of dietary fiber. Contrary to the popular notion, beans have more fiber than most fruits and vegetables. It is a good source of both soluble and insoluble dietary fiber.

3. It has absolutely no cholesterol and saturated fats.

4. Excellent source of all B group vitamins, which play a significant role in various metabolic reactions.

5. Good source of magnesium. It helps in relieving fatigue, relaxing the muscles, nerves and blood vessels, thus relieving the symptoms of asthma, migraine headaches, tension and soreness in muscles etc. Magnesium does the above functions by acting as a calcium channel blocker. It reduces the contractions in the blood vessels and nerves, relaxes them and facilitates the improved flow of blood, nutrients and respiratory gases to all the parts of the body.

6. Very good source of copper. It reduces the risk of inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, and enhances the activity of enzymes that are needed to maintain the elasticity of blood vessels, ligaments and joints.

7. Good source of selenium which has antioxidant properties and is effective in neutralizing the free radicals in our body.

8. Moderate source of manganese. It functions as a cofactor in various metabolic reactions involved in the efficient production of energy and enhancing the activity of antioxidant enzymes.

9. Moderate source of zinc, which enhances the body's immune function and improves wound healing.

10. Mushrooms have a protective effect against degenerative diseases like Alzheimers’ and age-related decline in cognitive function.

11. Shiitake mushrooms have abundant quantities of antioxidants, as much as 40 times of that present in wheat germ.