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Chinese Mushrooms

Also Known As : Chinese black mushrooms, Forest mushroom, Oak mushroom, Shiitake mushrooms
Technical Name : Lentinula edodes
Can Eat 0

Vegetarian

Taste Profile

They have a savory, earthy, and smoky, umami flavor.

Usage Tips

  1. Chinese mushrooms can be used in stews, soups, braised dishes, and stir fried dishes.
  2. They can also be sliced and used in miso soup or vegetarian dishes. They can be cooked in omelettes and mixed in pasta.
  3. They can be dried and re-hydrated for extended use or dried and ground into a powder as a flavoring agent for soups, stocks, and sauces.

Common names and forms

  1. Shiitake

Description

The most popular mushroom in Chinese dishes are simply called 'Chinese mushrooms.' Also known as Shiitake mushrooms,these are attached to thin stems and are small to medium in size with caps. The caps are light to dark brown in color and have a wide, umbrella shape with a characteristic curled rim. Inside, their cream-colored flesh is firm, chewy, and spongy. Underneath the cap, the white gills are tightly arranged, are not attached to the stem. Depending on the ripeness, there may also be a thin veil covering the gills. The ivory to light brown colored stem is smooth, tough, and fibrous.

Health benefits

  • They contain calcium that helps to maintain a healthy and proper bone structure.(1)
  • The antioxidant compounds present in shiitake mushrooms fight against free radicals and oxidative stress in your body.(1)
  • They contain copper, which is vital for healthy circulation of blood in our body.(1)
  • Shiitake mushrooms are also good for digestion.(1)
  • They are rich in antioxidants that help in getting rid of the free radicals that can cause cancer.(1)

Selection Guide

Go for Chinese mushrooms with thick brown caps ridged with white. Look for Chinese mushrooms that are firm, plump and clean. Avoid those Chinese mushrooms that are wrinkled or have wet slimy spots.

Note

They contain a moderate amount of purine, which is a chemical compound that’s broken down into uric acid. Excess consumption of mushroom can sometimes lead to gout.(2)

Resource & Links

(1) https://www.naturalfoodseries.com/11-benefits-shiitake-mushrooms/

(2) https://draxe.com/shiitake-mushrooms/

- Disclaimer
"Information here is provided for discussion and educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice or product or ingredient review/rating. The information may not apply to you and before you use or take any action, you should contact the manufacturer, seller, medical, dietary, fitness or other professional. If you utilize any information provided here, you do so at your own risk and you waive any right against Culinary Communications Private Limited, its affiliates, officers, directors, employees or representatives.”