The finest shiitake, treasured for their spectacular flavor. Grown on oak logs in a natural forest habitat, hand harvested, sliced, and dried. A revered health food. Research indicates shiitake's unique polysaccharides may benefit immune system strength. Mushrooms, especially dried, are the only vegetable source of vitamin D.
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Eden Sliced Shiitake Mushrooms are oak log grown on the 'shii' tree Pasania cuspidata or Quercus cuspidata, two species of central and southern Japan. Logs are cut in the fall at about eight inches in diameter. Spores are inserted in drilled holes and placed in pine forests for an ideal amount of sun, shade, and moisture. In about eighteen months shiitake emerge. The grow until the logs have largely decayed, usually four or five years. Eden Sliced Shiitake are hand harvested when mature. Stems are discarded before slicing the caps and drying. Slices are sorted for uniform thickness, shape and color before packing.
Mushrooms are the only vegetable source of vitamin D. They contain the sterol ergosterol a precursor of vitamin D2, much like beta-carotene is a precursor of vitamin A. When exposed to light ergosterol is converted to vitamin D2. All mushrooms are a source of vitamin D2, but shiitake contain much more. The common button or white mushroom contain less than 1% daily value (DV) vitamin D per serving. Eden Dried Sliced Shiitake are an source of vitamin D containing 6% DV per serving. They are fat and sodium free.
Shiitake mushrooms Lentinula edodes are highly valued as food and tonic in the Far East where their cultivation began over 1,000 years ago. Shiitake are the second most common edible mushroom in the world after the white button mushroom. Shiitake have long been recognized as a health food, a quality attributed in part to their abundance of complex carbohydrates known as polysaccharides. Lentinan and lentinula edodes mycelium (LEM) are two polysaccharides in shiitake that scientists find contribute to building and maintaining a healthy immune system.
Soak Eden Sliced Shiitake Mushrooms in warm water to cover for 5 to 7 minutes and they are ready. Reserve the soaking water for cooking. For soups, stews, and broth there is no need to soak. Simply add to the pot and cook. Tender in minutes. Use as you would other fresh or dried mushrooms in stir fries, soups, stews, gravies, sauces, and pasta dishes. Make Shiitake Tea. Use Eden Sliced Shiitake in place of beef or bouillon cubes in French onion soup or in place of chicken in rice, noodle, and vegetable soups. Their sparkling flavor delights.
