Lentinula edodes, commonly known as Chinese or Japanese shiitake mushrooms, is a drug in Asian countries. It is believed to be a strong immunomodulator. In the article you will find a description of this product, as well as information about its useful properties and cost in the Russian market.
Mushroom description
Shiitake is a tree fungus that grows on the trunks of beech, chestnut and oak, poplar, eucalyptus, alder, birch, and also on dead wood of deciduous trees. This brown little mushroom looks very interesting. It is considered similar to champignon, which grows in the forest. Shiitake has a pronounced mushroom aroma and a neutral taste.
Important! Shiitake can be confused with a flake (Pholiota destruens), which differs from it only in that it has a brown color of spores and a lighter hat.
The following characteristics of the fungus can be distinguished:
- The hat has a width of 5 to 15 centimeters. It is slightly convex in shape, and velvety to the touch. The top of the hat is dark brown, with the shade becoming lighter towards the edge.
- The plates at the bottom are very thin, mostly white, but may also be pale beige in overripe specimens. If you press on them with your finger, they will darken.
- The leg is dense, medium in size, not very thin (1.5 cm in diameter). It has a cylindrical shape and is slightly expanded from the bottom.
- Spore powder is white.
Shiitake bears fruit in waves: the development cycle begins in spring, as soon as the thermometer shows + 10 ° С. Good growth conditions also imply high humidity. So, as soon as the weather becomes suitable, after 2 weeks the first mushrooms will begin to appear. Fruiting will repeat after 2 months and at the same intervals will last until November. In the natural environment, shiitake forms spores in spring and autumn. They will certainly germinate if the weather is still humid enough and the air is warm.
Nutritional properties
Shiitake is a very tasty and healthy food product. It is rich in protein (18%), B vitamins and minerals:
- potassium;
- niacin;
- calcium
- magnesium
- phosphorus.
It can be fried in oil, baked, grilled or marinated. Fresh mushrooms are great for stews, soups or casseroles. They are also added to salads and vegetable dishes. At the same time, the fiber leg should be removed and only hats used. If shiitake grew in a sunny area, then they accumulate a lot of vitamin D, which is an additional advantage.
Did you know? The best way to store shiitake — in a wooden box, which is in a dark, cold and dry place.
Where is growing
The homeland of shiitake is Asia, from where it spread to other countries. He is most often met in China, Japan and the Far East. The Japanese word "Shiite" denotes the name of the tree on which it usually grows. The fungus belongs to the family of Negniyuchnikovs.
Shiitake very easily adapts to environmental conditions and can grow wherever there is deciduous wood, heat and moisture. For example, agricultural companies and farmers grow it in greenhouses, converted sheds or under trees in personal plots.
Did you know? Shiitake is the third largest mushroom in the world.
Shiitake price in Russia
In China, they believe that the mushroom loves music (classical and rock and roll), as well as company and lanterns. At least this follows from the feedback of the farmers involved in its cultivation. They also argue that if you place several mycelium in one room, the yield will be significantly higher.
The fungus is a strong aphrodisiac, therefore, in USA it costs $ 40 per 1 kg. In Asia, this amount increases by 2-3 times. In Russia, the price of a kilogram of fresh mushrooms is 350-600 rubles, and dried - 500-1700 rubles.
Benefit and harm
Shiitake is generally safe if consumed in an amount of not more than 100 g per day. Do not exceed the specified rate so as not to harm the body. Some of the beneficial properties of the fungus have been described in treatises of the Ming Dynasty, but there are a number of qualities that have become known from modern research.
- Shiitake Health Benefits:
- The mushroom contains a very small percentage of sodium and glucose, while being an excellent source of fiber. Therefore, it is ideal for diabetics.
- The product is a source of selenium, an antioxidant that prevents the formation of cancer cells. It has strong antitumor properties, therefore it is often used to treat stomach cancer.
- The polysaccharides in its composition help strengthen the immune system and, therefore, maintain overall health.
- The product is recommended to use to quickly reduce serum cholesterol.
- It has antiviral properties: it is able to fight the flu virus and bacterial infections.
- Mushroom extract is used to treat dermatitis, prostate diseases and hepatitis.
- They also try to use it as part of drugs for candidiasis, tuberculosis and the HIV virus.
Important! Some people are allergic to mushrooms, so it’s better to introduce shiitake into the diet gradually, tracking how many grams were eaten at one meal.
- But, like most medicinal plants, Chinese mushroom is not for everyone useful:
- Being a strong immunomodulator, it is able to enhance the symptoms of autoimmune diseases. It is not recommended to eat with multiple sclerosis, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis.
- There is no exact data on the effect of the product on the body of women during pregnancy or breastfeeding, so it is better for young mothers to refrain from using it.
- In case of blood diseases, it is also better not to eat it, because the fungus contains anticoagulants that prevent blood coagulation.
In the USA, shiitake has been banned for many years. The reason is simple: it was confused with another strain of the same genus that parasitizes on deciduous wood, destroying it. The mushroom had a destructive effect on those trees that were used in the construction of railways. Shiitake can become one of the components of your diet. Given the variety of useful qualities, be sure to include it in your diet, especially since it is not difficult to buy mushrooms in Russia.
