Shiitake mushroom, Fragrant mushroom, Golden oak mushroom, Chinese black mushroom
Lentinula edodes

Family: Marasmiaceae

What it is like

A mushroom. An earthy smelling fungus. The caps are golden to deep brown. It is umbrella like in shape. It is brown to black in colour. The texture in firm. They have a slight bloom and creamy gills.

Also put in the families Agaricaceae and Tricholomataceae.

Where it is found

It grows in many temperate regions. It grows on and rots wood. It grows in oak tree logs.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Central Africa, Central America, China, Congo DR, Europe, Guatemala, Himalayas, Hong Kong, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, Taiwan, Tasmania, Thailand, USA

How it is used for food

The fresh stems can be eaten but older ones are tough. The mushroom is boiled or cooked and eaten. It is often eaten with other vegetables. It can be dried and stored. The flavour is better once dried. It can be added to soups, fried, boiled or oil-roasted. It is used in omelettes, sauces, gravies, pasta dishes and it is used in sushi in Japan.

Mushrooms are sold in markets in India. It is a cultivated plant.

Edible parts

Fungus, spice, mushroom, vegetable

How it is grown

Grown on logs in Britain. It can be grown on a medium of Eucalypt sawdust.

Its other names

Local names

Black forest mushroom, Cendawan, Cipa, Doong gwoo, Hed hom, Het hom, Hmo chauk, Japanese brown mushroom, Leong goo, Lolum, Papinii, Shan ku, Shiitake, Soke shamong, Thangjiyen, Uyen, Veipa, Xiang gu, Yexianggu

Synonyms

Lentinus edodes (Berk.) ; Lentinus shiitake (Schroet) Singer; Cortinellus berkeleyanus Seiha Ito & S Imai; Cortinellus edodes (Berkeley) S. Ito et Imai; Cortinellus shiitake P. Henn.;