This broccoli soup has shitake mushrooms crisps, garlic, garlic, and shallots. Yum! But not because it’s elegant and “fancy” means that it will stop being good for us. Asthma: Research suggests that if you are suffering from asthma, it is best to avoid it in your diet. [17] Lentinula edodes is native to the mountain regions of Japan, Korea, and China, where it grows on fallen logs. This species has a long history of use all throughout East Asia, with people collecting wild shiitake for both food and traditional medicine. People in China first began cultivating shiitake mushrooms about 1,000 to 1,200 years ago, where they knew the species as dongo or shanku. Shiitake skin dermatitis feels itchy and uncomfortable, but it typically disappears in one to two weeks. Cooking the shiitake mushrooms avoids this reaction but may reduce the health benefits from lentinan. How to Use Shiitake Mushrooms

Preheat the oven to low, 150°C/ 300°F (fan assisted), or 170°C/ 340°F (conventional). Slice the mushrooms thinly with a knife or using a mandolin. If you can, get the biggest mushrooms you can (they will shrink a lot). Shiitake mushrooms are extremely versatile and can be added to soups, stews, salads, vegetable dishes, ragouts, meat dishes, omelets, and stir-fries. The flavor is typically described as woody or earthy, which limitstheir use in culinary applications but savory dishes can often benefit from the mushroom’s hearty texture. And, of course, there’s the ability to share in the bounty that comes along with running a CSA or working a farmers’ market. Copper is a key component in our health, although often overlooked. It can increase the amount of iron that the body takes in, and since there these mushrooms have a high contentof copper, this can be a crucial element for healthy circulation. Iron is needed in the production of red blood cells, which can boost energy levels and resource delivery to certain parts of the body. Anticancer PotentialI think we don’t give all the credit that mushrooms deserve, and the truth is that they are an essential source of minerals and an excellent source of vitamin B. So we should eat them pretty often because they are delicious. Shittake mushroom extracts have been playing a key role in preventing and treating oral diseases for a long time. Research by the Kalinga Institute of Dental Sciences, India, suggests that these mushrooms have potent antifungal and antibacterial properties that help overcome antibiotic resistance without altering oral microflora. [13] Lower Blood Pressure They may seem like you have many mushrooms cooking, but they turn out to be a small amount once cooked – think about it beforehand! To make these delicious crisps, I start by selecting fresh shiitake mushrooms from my homegrown harvest. I then carefully clean and slice the mushrooms into thin, uniform pieces. Next, I lightly toss them in olive oil and season them with a pinch of salt and a sprinkle of garlic powder. The seasoned mushroom slices are then arranged on a baking sheet and placed in the oven to bake at a low temperature until they turn golden brown and crispy. Unique Flavor Profile While there are a million recipes you can make with the mushrooms they grow — shiitake, maitake (also known as hen of the woods), royal trumpet, lion’s mane — my favorite preparations tend to be the simplest, making the most of the unique textures and flavors that these fascinating organisms bring to the kitchen.

Shiitake mushrooms have one of the highest amounts of natural copper, a mineral that supports healthy blood vessels, bones, and immune support. In fact, 1/2 cup of shiitake mushrooms gives you 72 percent of your daily recommended intake (DRI) of this mineral. The mushrooms are also a rich source of selenium, providing 33 percent of your DRI.Research by the CSIRO Food and Nutritional Sciences, Victoria, Australia suggests that shiitake mushrooms have anti-tumor properties that help prevent the development of breast cancer. [7]

Not only have the active compounds in shiitake mushrooms been linked to inhibiting tumor growth in multiple types of cancer butthey may also induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in cancerous cells without damaging the healthy cells around it. This is because of the presence of a polysaccharide called lentinan in them. [8] Improve Digestion A research paper by the University of Florida, published in the Journal of American College of Nutrition [9], suggests that shiitake mushrooms help boost the immune function. Don’t throw away the broccoli stems, you can use them to make broccoli salad. Tips for making the best shiitake crisps There is an incredible amount of antioxidant compounds in shiitake mushrooms that provide an excellent defense against free radicals and oxidative stress throughout the body. These help in protecting the skin from signs of aging such as wrinkles, while also reducing the appearance of scars and blemishes and promoting a healthy glow to the skin. With a good amount of selenium, these mushrooms have also been called a natural acne treatment, as deficiencies in this mineral are often linked to acne symptoms. [3] Help in Weight LossTotal carbs 5.8 grams Fiber 2 grams Sugars 3.8 grams Saturated fat 9.1 grams Sodium 306 mg ( 13 % RDA) Magnesium 0 mg ( 0 % RDA) Potassium 550 mg ( 27 % EMR) Ingredients (makes 4 servings) Today, shiitake mushrooms are popular around the world for their taste and their handy ability to grow on either natural fallen logs or artificial substrate. You can find them grown commercially in China, Japan, the United States, Korea, and Brazil, with China producing about 80 to 90 percent of all shiitake worldwide. Health Benefits Cultivation methods later spread to Japan, with samurai warriors controlling most of the production for the aristocracy. Here, shiitake gained the name that remains widely accepted today — shii for Castanopsis cuspidata, the hardwood tree species that the mushrooms commonly grow on, and take, the Japanese word for mushroom. Shiitake mushrooms are the third-most popular mushroom in the world, after oyster and white button. You can sometimes find them in supermarkets, but you may need to look in farmers markets or specialty grocers. You can also buy shiitake mushrooms in dried form.

Autoimmune Disease:Due to the significant immune-boosting properties of this mushroom, it is not safe for people with autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis or rheumatoid arthritis. It can cause these conditions to worsen, given that the mushroom stimulates more aggressive immune activity.The antimicrobial effects and immune system-boosting properties of these mushrooms make them ideal for digestion. Eating small to moderate amounts of these mushrooms may balance the bacterial balance in your gut, improve digestion (thanks to the dietary fiber levels) and even increase the uptake efficiency of nutrients like iron and calcium. Boost Overall Energy Sun Sensitivity:Some of the compounds found in these mushrooms will increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun, which could result in sunburn and extra sensitivity in your eyes to sunlight. [16] Some side effects are associated with shiitake mushrooms, including gastrointestinal distress, a worsening of autoimmune disease, sensitivity to the sun, and allergic reactions. These side effects are often when the mushrooms are consumed in large amounts but people with a sensitive stomach or multiple food allergies should eat these mushrooms with caution.