Shiitake - Asian Mushroom

Shii-take - Asian Mushroom

Shii-take (lat. Lentinus edodes) is a very tasty and sought-after mushroom for cooking. It's the second most cultivated mushroom in the world - right after button mushrooms. The Czech name for this mushroom is Houževnatec jedlý. However, you won't find this mushroom in Czech forests. Its name translates as "mushroom from oak," so it grows on oak trees (hardwood trees). Although it doesn't occur in the wild in the Czech Republic, it can be very successfully grown in home conditions.

The Shii-take mushroom has been known for over 2000 years. It's called the longevity mushroom or the elixir of life. It contains an important element - the polysaccharide lentinan. It boosts the immune system and helps in treating tumor diseases. Research continues to advance, with some tumors being slowed and limited by the mushroom's effects. In Japan, it's a standard part of stomach cancer treatment. It's now also being tested for breast cancer treatment. Its antiviral properties help treat colds and flu. In the early stages, they can stop them completely.

Shii-take mushroom lowers blood pressure and also helps reduce cholesterol levels. It reduces blood sugar levels. It's beneficial for the health and proper function of our heart and blood vessels.

Its effects are beneficial for the human body. If you've felt inspired to grow this mushroom, simply order it from our e-shop. Growing it isn't difficult at all - read on.

Shii-take mushroom is suitable for everyone. For students - it supports thinking, for older people - it supports health. Its beneficial effects have been known since the Ming Dynasty. Try growing it yourself - it's simple. It doesn't require much space or demanding cultivation.

Growing Shii-take Mushroom

Growing your own mushrooms isn't difficult at all. If you have experience growing oyster mushrooms or button mushrooms, then growing Shii-take mushroom won't be anything new. If you haven't grown mushrooms at home yet, read our guide:

1. Prepare the spawn you ordered from our e-shop.
2. Prepare crushed straw in a box or in a mini greenhouse. A mini greenhouse is also suitable for growing indoors. It maintains air humidity and temperature. It also ensures the aesthetic side of mushroom cultivation. Mushrooms don't smell at all, so they are suitable for growing even in smaller living spaces.
3. The second option is growing in oak wood. Growing is also possible in birch and beech wood. Drill holes into the prepared wood, into which you place the spawn.
4. The spawn placed in wood can be put into a plastic bag. Or a mini greenhouse. As soon as the first mushrooms start to appear, cut open the plastic bag so the mushrooms don't get moldy and can grow in the open air.
5. Keep the surface of the substrate and wood moist by spraying.
6. We grow Shii-take at normal room temperature around 20-22°C. We maintain this temperature in the mini greenhouse as well. Air humidity should be 90%.
7. For fruiting body formation, a temperature of 12-17°C is sufficient. The temperature of the substrate must not exceed 35°C.

We harvest Shii-take when the cap is fully expanded and slightly curved under. Remove overripe fruiting bodies. Once the entire spawn has finished fruiting, remove all residues and store in a dry place. It can be humid, but airy. The spawn should not dry out completely. The rest period must be at least 20-30 days. Then a second harvest wave can follow. Activate the substrate with spawn by submerging it in cold water.

Recommendation: If you have already ordered the spawn and won't activate it yet, store it in the refrigerator at 5°C. Before cultivation, let it absorb room temperature for at least 6 hours.

Don't let the joy of growing your own mushrooms be taken away by a sufficient yield, which is intended for family consumption. Fresh mushrooms grown organically will return the costs associated with the spawn. Commercially, you won't get rich from the yield, nor will you share with all your neighbors. Shii-take yield is approximately 15-25% of the substrate.

Warning! Other mushrooms may also grow on home-prepared substrate. Do not harvest these. Do not harvest or consume any mushrooms that differ from those you planted.

Shii-take mushroom can also be grown outdoors. In winter, move the tree branches to a greenhouse or cellar so they are not exposed to frost. The temperature in winter should not drop below -5°C. The mushroom also thrives in outdoor environments.

Shii-take mushroom will satisfy even passionate mushroom hunters. It develops very quickly. Every day you can observe the mushrooms growing. From approximately day 6, you can harvest and prepare an excellent dish.

Shii-take in the Kitchen

The Shii-take mushroom is most commonly used in the preparation of Asian, especially Japanese dishes. After tasting it, you will quickly fall in love with this mushroom and learn to add it to your everyday cooking. Meat that is prepared with this mushroom quickly absorbs its flavor. It pairs well with delicate chicken, rabbit, and turkey meat. Try it also when preparing fish.

Recommendation: Before preparation, remove the mushroom stem. Use only the caps for cooking. Don't add too much liquid to the mushroom. Dishes where the mushroom would be soaked in water are not recommended. This is to prevent the loss of the mushroom's flavor. An exception is dried mushrooms, which should be soaked in water before preparation. Dried mushrooms can also be ground into powder and used as a seasoning.

Shii-take mushrooms can also be prepared in classic ways like regular mushrooms - with caraway seeds, in scrambled eggs, or breaded like a schnitzel.

The most suitable side dish for dishes with Shii-take mushrooms is rice. You can enjoy eating Shii-take mushrooms even during weight-loss diets. They contain vitamins and minerals and have almost no calories. They are also suitable for preparing meatless - vegetarian dishes.

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Author: Hana Michalíková