Shiitake or Shitake?

Two spellings for the same mushroom... But not just any mushroom!

Did you know that the Oak Lenten Mushroom, more commonly known as Shiitake, is the second most widely produced mushroom in the world after Button Mushrooms?

Originally from Asia, this mushroom is very popular because it's easy to grow, so you can become a real mushroom grower in no time. What's more, it has a reputation for being good for your health. It is widely used in Chinese medicine. It has exceptional nutritional properties (296kcal/100g): it contains vitamins B5, B2, B3, potassium, iron, zinc and copper... in short, it's a real source of energy! Some even claim that it could have a beneficial effect on cancer and HIV thanks to the lentinan present in this mushroom. However, this claim needs to be put into perspective: it's more of a treatment adjuvant. Research is currently underway to verify the veracity of these claims.

How do you recognise shiitake?

Shiitake has a convex cap 5 to 15 cm in diameter. It is reddish-brown in colour, with white woolly strands. The stem is white and cylindrical. Shiitake flesh should be whitish.

How should shiitake be eaten?

Be careful not to eat it raw to avoid any risk of inflammatory reaction.
It can be cooked in a variety of ways: as an omelette, in a pie, as a side dish or in a sauce.

Where can you find shiitake?

La Ferme du Coudonnet - 06 13 88 60 22 - Coudonnet - 19600 Chartrier Ferrière
At local markets.