Shiitake- (Lentinula edodes)
ABOUT • FEATURES • LOOK-ALIKES • PROFILE • NUTRITION • MEDICINE • PRODUCT COMPARISON • HELPFUL LINKS • RECIPE • MYCOREMEDIATION
Shiitake mushrooms are among the easiest and most productive varieties to grow on logs, making them an ideal choice for beginners and cultivators of all skill levels. With their hearty texture and rich, savory flavor, Shiitakes are a culinary favorite that’s hard to beat. It typically fruits during the spring and fall months once colonization is complete and performs exceptionally well on hardwoods like oak, sweetgum, poplar, and other similar species. Recommended for temperate climates, this strain can fruit in most regions that experience a cool transition period at any time of the year. In addition to their culinary appeal, shiitake mushrooms are renowned for their medicinal properties, containing compounds that support immune function, cardiovascular health, and overall well-being.
Fun Fact:
Shiitake mushrooms have been cultivated for over 1,000 years, originally in East Asia. They were first grown on natural logs in Japan, where farmers discovered that striking the logs mimicked natural conditions and encouraged mushrooms to fruit. This technique is still used today!
Features
Cap
Ranging in colors cream to dark brown, exhibiting white tufts at the edges
Stipe
Fibrous, thick, tough and chewy, inedible, but can be powdered and used in broths and stews
Fertile Surface
serrated gills, not attached to stem, cream colored with a white sporeprint
Edible Shiitake Look-alikes
Neolentinus lepideus
Train Wrecker
Grows on conifers rather than hardwoods.
Has a scaly cap similar to shiitake but a more fibrous texture.
Lentinus tigrinus
Tiger Sawgill
Features a scaly cap like shiitake but has a more prominent central stem.
Typically found on hardwoods in wet environments.
Pluteus species
(e.g., Pluteus cervinus – Deer Mushroom)
Has a brownish cap but lacks the distinct meaty texture of shiitake.
Gills turn pinkish as the spores mature.
Potentially Toxic or Inedible Shiitake Lookalikes:
Galerina marginata
Deadly Galerina
A highly toxic mushroom that can grow on decaying wood.
Has brown gills and a ring on the stem, unlike shiitake.
Gymnopilus species
(e.g., Gymnopilus spectabilis – Big Laughing Gym)
Orange-brown cap with a bitter taste.
Contains psychoactive compounds and is not recommended for consumption.
Omphalotus species
(e.g., Omphalotus olearius – Jack-o’-Lantern Mushroom)
Often mistaken for shiitake due to its growth on wood.
Glows faintly in the dark and causes severe gastrointestinal distress.
profile
| Edibility & Taste | Shiitake mushrooms have a rich, savory, and umami-packed flavor with a slightly smoky, earthy, and buttery undertone. Their taste is often described as meaty and deeply satisfying, making them a favorite in vegetarian and gourmet dishes. When cooked, they develop a silky yet slightly chewy texture, enhancing their complex, roasted, and almost garlic-like aroma. |
| Grows On | Shiitake thrives on dense, non-aromatic hardwoods with good moisture retention. The following tree species are ideal: Oak (Best overall choice – high yield & longevity), Pecan, Walnut, Alder, Sweetgum, Maple (Hard Maples: Sugar Maple, Black Maple, Florida Maple), Ironwood (Hop-Hornbeam), Cherry (Black Cherry, Wild Cherry), Sycamore, Tulip Poplar, Eucalyptus, Chestnut, Ash, Birch, Bitternut Hickory, Willow These species are NOT recommended due to high resin content, natural fungicides, or low nutrient availability: • Conifers (Pine, Cedar, Spruce, Fir, Cypress, Hemlock, etc.) – High in resins and antifungal compounds • Fruit Trees (Apple, Pear, Peach, etc.) – Often contain antimicrobial properties • Elm – Resistant to fungal colonization • Hackberry – Poor growth results • Sassafras – Natural antifungal compounds • Soft Maples (Red Maple, Striped Maple, Silver Maple) – Less dense, decomposes too quickly • Dogwood – Not suitable • Black Locust – Extremely rot-resistant, poor fungal growth • Beech – Slow decomposition and inconsistent fruiting • Hickory (Shagbark, Pignut, etc.) – Too dense, slow to colonize |
| Fruiting Temps | Wide Range: 55-75°F Shop Plug Spawn Shop Sawdust Spawn Wild: 40-80°F Shop Plug Spawn Shop Sawdust Spawn Warm: 70-85°F Shop Plug Spawn Shop Sawdust Spawn Cold: 40-55°F Shop Plug Spawn Shop Sawdust Spawn |
| Availability | Year Round |
Nutritional Benefits
Nutritional content of 1 cup (86 grams)
• Calories: 81
• Fat: 0.3g
• Sodium: 5.8mg
• Carbohydrates: 21g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugars: 5.6g
• Protein: 2.3g
• Vitamin D: 1mcg
• Zinc: 2mg
• Calories: 81
• Fat: 0.3g
• Sodium: 5.8mg
• Carbohydrates: 21g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugars: 5.6g
• Protein: 2.3g
• Vitamin D: 1mcg
• Zinc: 2mg
Medicinal Benefits
High in:
• Lentinan (Reduces Inflammation that prevents T-cell maturation. Active against lung cancer, melanoma, breast cancer & gastric cancers)
• Eritadenine (lowers cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipid levels, decreases blood pressure & active against influenza)
• Vitamin D (important for calcium absorption, bone protection and heart health)
• Lentinan (Reduces Inflammation that prevents T-cell maturation. Active against lung cancer, melanoma, breast cancer & gastric cancers)
• Eritadenine (lowers cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipid levels, decreases blood pressure & active against influenza)
• Vitamin D (important for calcium absorption, bone protection and heart health)
Product comparison
Each of these products caters to different needs, from cultivation enthusiasts to those interested in the health benefits or culinary uses of mushrooms.
Fruiting Kit
Fruiting Kit
Purpose: Designed for indoor cultivation, this kit allows users to grow shiitake mushrooms at home. Features: The kit includes a pre-colonized substrate block, a humidity tent, and instructions. Users need to mist the block regularly to maintain humidity. Yield: Typically produces 2–3 pounds of shiitake mushrooms over several weeks. Ideal For: Beginners or those without outdoor space, seeking a straightforward method to cultivate mushrooms indoors. Additional Info: Fruits best at room temperatures between 60–70°F.
Purpose: Designed for indoor cultivation, this kit allows users to grow shiitake mushrooms at home.
Features: The kit includes a pre-colonized substrate block, a humidity tent, and instructions. Users need to mist the block regularly to maintain humidity.
Yield: Typically produces 2–3 pounds of shiitake mushrooms over several weeks.
Ideal For: Beginners or those without outdoor space, seeking a straightforward method to cultivate mushrooms indoors.
Additional Info: Fruits best at room temperatures between 60–70°F.
Sawdust Spawn
Sawdust Spawn
Purpose: Used to inoculate hardwood logs for outdoor mushroom cultivation. Features: Composed of shiitake mycelium grown on sterilized sawdust, facilitating faster colonization of logs compared to plug spawn. Application: Requires drilling holes into logs, filling them with the sawdust spawn, and sealing with wax. Ideal For: Growers aiming for larger-scale outdoor cultivation with a quicker colonization period. Additional Info: Suitable for hardwoods like oak, sweetgum, and poplar.
Purpose: Used to inoculate hardwood logs for outdoor mushroom cultivation.
Features: Composed of shiitake mycelium grown on sterilized sawdust, facilitating faster colonization of logs compared to plug spawn.
Application: Requires drilling holes into logs, filling them with the sawdust spawn, and sealing with wax.
Ideal For: Growers aiming for larger-scale outdoor cultivation with a quicker colonization period.
Additional Info: Suitable for hardwoods like oak, sweetgum, and poplar.
Features: Composed of shiitake mycelium grown on sterilized sawdust, facilitating faster colonization of logs compared to plug spawn.
Application: Requires drilling holes into logs, filling them with the sawdust spawn, and sealing with wax.
Ideal For: Growers aiming for larger-scale outdoor cultivation with a quicker colonization period.
Additional Info: Suitable for hardwoods like oak, sweetgum, and poplar.
Plug Spawn
plug spawn
Purpose: Another method for inoculating hardwood logs to grow shiitake mushrooms outdoors. Features: Consists of wooden dowels infused with shiitake mycelium. Application: Involves drilling holes into logs, inserting the plugs, and sealing with wax. Ideal For: Beginners or hobbyists looking for an easy and manageable way to start outdoor mushroom cultivation. Additional Info: Each set contains approximately 100 plugs, suitable for inoculating several logs.
Purpose: Another method for inoculating hardwood logs to grow shiitake mushrooms outdoors.
Features: Consists of wooden dowels infused with shiitake mycelium.
Application: Involves drilling holes into logs, inserting the plugs, and sealing with wax.
Ideal For: Beginners or hobbyists looking for an easy and manageable way to start outdoor mushroom cultivation.
Additional Info: Each set contains approximately 100 plugs, suitable for inoculating several logs.
Features: Consists of wooden dowels infused with shiitake mycelium.
Application: Involves drilling holes into logs, inserting the plugs, and sealing with wax.
Ideal For: Beginners or hobbyists looking for an easy and manageable way to start outdoor mushroom cultivation.
Additional Info: Each set contains approximately 100 plugs, suitable for inoculating several logs.
Mycomatrix Extract
mycomatrix extract
Purpose: Provides the health benefits of medicinal mushrooms in a concentrated form. Features: Typically available as liquid extracts or tinctures, these products harness compounds believed to support the body’s stress response and overall well-being. Usage: Can be added to beverages or taken directly as a supplement.. Ideal For: Individuals seeking the medicinal advantages of mushrooms without consuming them in their whole form. Additional Info: Mushroom Mountain offers a variety of extracts targeting different health benefits.
Purpose: Provides the health benefits of medicinal mushrooms in a concentrated form.
Features: Typically available as liquid extracts or tinctures, these products harness compounds believed to support the body’s stress response and overall well-being.
Usage: Can be added to beverages or taken directly as a supplement.
Ideal For: Individuals seeking the medicinal advantages of mushrooms without consuming them in their whole form.
Additional Info: Mushroom Mountain offers a variety of extracts targeting different health benefits.
Features: Typically available as liquid extracts or tinctures, these products harness compounds believed to support the body’s stress response and overall well-being.
Usage: Can be added to beverages or taken directly as a supplement.
Ideal For: Individuals seeking the medicinal advantages of mushrooms without consuming them in their whole form.
Additional Info: Mushroom Mountain offers a variety of extracts targeting different health benefits.
Dried Mushrooms
dried mushrooms
Purpose: Offers a convenient way to store and use mushrooms for culinary purposes. Features: Fresh mushrooms are dehydrated to extend shelf life while preserving flavor and nutrients. . Usage: Rehydrate by soaking in water before adding to dishes like soups, stews, or stir-fries. . Ideal For: Cooks and food enthusiasts looking to incorporate mushrooms into their recipes without worrying about spoilage. Additional Info: Dried mushrooms are lightweight and have a concentrated flavor, making them a pantry staple for many chefs.
Purpose: Offers a convenient way to store and use mushrooms for culinary purposes.
Features: Fresh mushrooms are dehydrated to extend shelf life while preserving flavor and nutrients.
Usage: Rehydrate by soaking in water before adding to dishes like soups, stews, or stir-fries.
Ideal For: Cooks and food enthusiasts looking to incorporate mushrooms into their recipes without worrying about spoilage.
Additional Info: Dried mushrooms are lightweight and have a concentrated flavor, making them a pantry staple for many chefs.
Features: Fresh mushrooms are dehydrated to extend shelf life while preserving flavor and nutrients.
Usage: Rehydrate by soaking in water before adding to dishes like soups, stews, or stir-fries.
Ideal For: Cooks and food enthusiasts looking to incorporate mushrooms into their recipes without worrying about spoilage.
Additional Info: Dried mushrooms are lightweight and have a concentrated flavor, making them a pantry staple for many chefs.
Fun Fact:
Shiitake mushrooms contain a unique compound called lentinan, which has been studied for its immune-boosting and anti-cancer properties. In traditional Chinese medicine, Shiitakes have been used for centuries to promote longevity and overall health.
“Mushroom Mountain is a great place to buy spawn! Every log we inoculated with their shiitake spawn has fruited. Their staff was very helpful in choosing the right strain, and we couldn't be happier with all the delicious shiitakes we've been enjoying. Thank you, Mushroom Mountain!”
“We've ordered spawn to use in our quest to grow new varieties to us of mushrooms. We got free shipping on two of our orders. Very cool”
“I ordered quite a few sawdust spawn bags this year, feeling out which companies offer the best. I must say, the spawn I’ve received from mushroom mountain far surpasses any other company. The substrate is extremely well colonized, uniform white, and almost immediately started spreading into the bulk substrate of my outdoor beds. I am very happy with this portion of my purchases from them, and will likely be ordering from them again in the future.”
Helpful Links
📘 Learn & Grow
🍄🟫 Shop Shiitake Essentials
🌟 Want Hands-On Training?
- 🪵3/22/25 - MINI CLINIC - Mushroom Log Gardening
- 🐛 4/12/25 - MINI CLINIC - Building Soil with Mushrooms
- 🪻4/5/25 - Spring Mushroom Cultivation Workshop
- 🌿 5/3/25 - MINI CLINIC - Medicinal Mushrooms
- 🍂 8/9/25 - Fall Mushroom Cultivation Workshop
- 🌿 8/23/25- MINI CLINIC - Medicinal Mushrooms
- 🪵 11/8/25 - MINI CLINIC - Mushroom Log Gardening
Recipe
Shiitake Stuffed Bread
This delicious stuffed bread is filled with savory shiitake mushrooms, herbs, cheese, and fresh greens, wrapped in a simple homemade dough and cooked to golden perfection. You can either bake or pan-fry it for a crispy, flavorful treat!
For the Dough:
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon instant yeast
• ¾ cup warm water
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon instant yeast
• ¾ cup warm water
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Filling:
• 1 cup shiitake mushrooms, chopped
• ½ small onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped (or ½ teaspoon dried)
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or ½ teaspoon dried)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• ½ cup cheese of choice (mozzarella, cheddar, or goat cheese work well)
• ½ cup fresh greens (chickweed, arugula, or spinach)
• Olive oil, for cooking
• 1 cup shiitake mushrooms, chopped
• ½ small onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped (or ½ teaspoon dried)
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or ½ teaspoon dried)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• ½ cup cheese of choice (mozzarella, cheddar, or goat cheese work well)
• ½ cup fresh greens (chickweed, arugula, or spinach)
• Olive oil, for cooking
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Dough:
• In a bowl, mix the flour, salt, sugar, and yeast.
Add warm water and olive oil, stirring until a rough dough forms.
• Knead on a floured surface for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
• Cover and let rest for at least 30 minutes while preparing the filling.
2. Make the Filling:
• Heat a pan over medium heat and add a drizzle of olive oil.
• Sauté onions and garlic until soft and fragrant.
• Add chopped shiitake mushrooms, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook until the mushrooms are tender and slightly browned.
• Set aside and let cool slightly.
3. Assemble the Stuffed Bread:
• Take a fist-sized portion of dough and roll it out into a small circle or oval.
• Place a spoonful of the mushroom mixture in the center.
• Top with cheese and a handful of fresh greens.
• Fold the dough over the filling, pinching the edges together to seal it completely.
4. Cook:
• Pan-fry method: Heat a thin layer of olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Cook the stuffed bread for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and crispy.
• Baking method: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the stuffed bread on a baking sheet and bake for 15–20 minutes or until golden brown.
Let cool slightly before serving.
Enjoy warm on its own or with a dipping sauce of your choice!
Mycoremediation Potential
• Heavy Metal Absorption– Shiitake can absorb lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic, making it useful for soil and water remediation.
• Breakdown of Pollutants– Produces enzymes that help degrade polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), pesticides, and petroleum contaminants.
• Textile & Dye Waste– Assists in breaking down synthetic dyes from industrial wastewater.
• Soil Restoration– Enhances nutrient cycling and promotes microbial diversity, aiding in land rehabilitation.
While not as aggressive as oyster mushrooms, shiitake still plays a valuable role in bioremediation and ecosystem restoration.🍄🟫
• Breakdown of Pollutants– Produces enzymes that help degrade polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), pesticides, and petroleum contaminants.
• Textile & Dye Waste– Assists in breaking down synthetic dyes from industrial wastewater.
• Soil Restoration– Enhances nutrient cycling and promotes microbial diversity, aiding in land rehabilitation.
While not as aggressive as oyster mushrooms, shiitake still plays a valuable role in bioremediation and ecosystem restoration.🍄🟫