Vegetables
Shiitake mushroom
シイタケ しいたけ shiitake
Also known asshiitake
At its best in Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov
When it is at its best
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
In seasonAvailable
How to cook
Grilled shiitake
Grill cap-side down so the juices stay in.
Fukume-ni (gently simmered in light dashi)
Simmered in dashi.
Tempura
Choose thick-capped ones.
For making dashi
Dried shiitake soaked in water for dashi.
How to choose
Thick caps curled under at the edge, with clean white gills.
Storage
Do not wash. Store stem-up wrapped in paper or a paper bag in the fridge. Freezing increases the umami.
Main areas
Good to know
Grown either on logs or on sawdust blocks. Drying increases both vitamin D and umami compounds.
