Shiitake Mushroom: Unique Blend Of Taste And Health

Shiitake Mushroom is one of the premium varieties of mushroom, which like other mushrooms are mysteriously unique. This is because they are yummy and delicious.

They are cultivated only in few countries which include the country like China, Japan, and South Korea.

This mushroom is famous all across the globe for its medicinal properties like those of cholesterol reduction agent and anti-cancer use.

Shiitake mushrooms are brown in color with somewhat convex caps, having a diameter around in the range of 2-4inch.

Like other mushrooms, they too belong to the Fungi Kingdom. In scientific language, the botanical name of this species is Lentinula does.

You will surely enjoy this item as a part of your meal. Its smoky flavor along with its rich texture makes it different from other species of mushrooms and making it famous worldwide.

Undeniably, this food item is amongst one of them which are not only delicious but also very healthy.

There are many nutrients present making it one the ultimate choice of many common people all over the world.

Following are the nutritional facts which you must admire.

Dried Shiitake Mushroom per 100g (3.5oz) contains:

• Energy (1,28kJ or 296 kcal)

• Carbohydrates (75.37g)
• Dietary Fiber (11.5g)
• Sugars (2.21g)
• Protein (9.58g
• Fat (0.99g)
• Vitamin B1 or Thiamine (0.3g)
• Vitamin B2 or Riboflavin (1.27 mg)
• Vitamin B3 or Niacin (14.1 mg)
• Vitamin B5 or Pantothenic acid (21.879 mg)
• Vitamin B6 (0.965 mg)
• Vitamin B9 or Folate (163 μg)
• Vitamin C (3.5 mg), Vitamin D (3.9 μg)
• Iron (1.72 mg)
• Calcium (11mg)
• Manganese (1.176 mg)
• Magnesium (132 mg)
• Phosphorus (294 mg)
• Sodium (13 mg)
• Potassium (1534 mg)
• Zinc (7.66 mg)

Now with so many nutrients present in it, you can tell how healthy and beneficial this food will be for you. Its benefits on your health are as discussed below.

From above-mentioned facts, now you must have been looking forward to knowing exactly how this product is useful for your health.

Considering the abundant nutrients it contains, there are several benefits of Shiitake Mushroom on your body. Some of them are as follows:

Some of them are as follows:

1. Boosts The Immune System

The most important benefit of this item from dietary perspective is that it boosts the immune system of the body.

Here, it plays multiple roles by preventing excessive activity of immune system in our body as well as by stimulating the system whenever required by the body.

Hence, when needed, it can boost the immune activity in our body and also at the same time as per need it can cut back the same.

Whenever you have any food item which is known for its positive effect on your body, what is the key thing you expect from it?

Obviously, we would like it to enhance and support our body system whenever it is exposed to different circumstances. When it comes to immune system Shiitake, Mushrooms does the same.

When it comes to immune system Shiitake, Mushrooms does the same.

2. Anticancer Benefits

Another essential property of these fungi which makes it famous worldwide is its anti-cancer benefits. Yes, you are getting it right, Shiitake Mushroom have cancer preventive properties.

You must be knowing that most of the research on cancer is being done in the laboratory, whether on individual cells or laboratory animals. The same holds good for Shiitake Mushroom even.

It is found that the extract of this species of mushroom (not in food form) has shown anti-tumor results, thus indicating its cancer check properties.

Based on these results many scientists believe that whether in food form or any other form, adding this variety of mushroom to your diet shall give anti-cancer benefits to your health.

It will also avert your body from the likes of colon cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer.

3. Enhances Cardiovascular Function

Apart from its benefits like anti-cancer, boosting of Immune system, another advantage of this product is that it also enhances cardiovascular function or circulatory function of the human body.

There are three basic and essential areas in which your cardiovascular functions are augmented. The first of the three is the cholesterol reducing property of this breed of mushroom.

Shiitake Mushroom contains d-Eritadenine as one of its nutrients which are known for lowering the blood cholesterol.

The second benefit is that it prevents the excessive binding of the immune cell to the blood vessels lining’s.This means there is a proper interaction between the Immune System and Circulatory System of your body, thus avoiding many setbacks and diseases.

This means there is a proper interaction between the Immune System and Circulatory System of your body, thus avoiding many setbacks and diseases.

The final area which boosts up cardiovascular function is the antioxidant support. As shiitake mushrooms are rich in antioxidant minerals, the possibility of chronic oxidative stress is reduced significantly.

This is undoubtedly a crucial factor in the growth of clogged arteries and the other blood vessel.By

By these, you can understand how essential this item is for the smooth functioning of the circulatory system of your body.

Other than the above benefits, Shiitake mushroom is also useful in suppressing inflammation, protects the liver from damages and other problems, and is even helpful in reducing the adverse effects during the progression of HIV.

So, with all these advantages are you thinking about the culinary use of Shiitake mushroom?If yes then keep reading as now I am going to discuss the same along with some tasty recipe.

If yes then keep reading as now I am going to discuss the same along with some tasty recipe.

Shiitake Mushroom in a fresh and dried state has much utilization in cuisines all over the world, especially in East Asia.

In Japan, this item is often used during the serving of Miso Soup.It is even used as a chief ingredient in many simmered and steamed dishes.

When it comes to Chinese cuisine, it is widely used in vegetarian dishes like Buddha’s Delight. They are served in fried and steamed state in Thailand.

Tip: As Mushrooms are very porous in nature, a little of the excess water in it will be absorbed and will make it soggy.

So use kitchen cloth or some damp paper towel to wipe the mushrooms. You can even opt for a mushroom brush which you can get easily in Kitchenware stores.

There are so many items you can prepare using shiitake mushrooms. In this particular article, we are mentioning two recipes of two delicious as well as healthy dishes. They are Miso Soup and Asian greens & Shiitake Mushrooms.

Hope you will enjoy these dishes and keep yourself healthy forever.

Recipe For Miso Soup With Shiitake Mushroom

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Prep Time: 15 minutes       
• Cooking Time: 40 mins.
• Servings: 6 to 8

Ingredients

• One bunch scallions. Green & white parts separated and thinly sliced
• One piece fresh and chopped ginger
• 3 pcs chopped cloves garlic
• 2 tbsp sesame oil, toasted
• 3 pcs dried kelp
• ¼ cup bonito flakes
• 3 ounces dried shiitake mushrooms
• ½ cup light miso
• 1 pound quarterly cut baby bok choy
• 8 ounces (cut in cubes) firm tofu
• 8 cups water

Method

Take a soup pot, preferably large one, and heat it on a medium flame. Then add scallions (white part), garlic, ginger and sesame oil.

After cooking for around 1 min add 8 cups of water. Add bonito flakes and rinsed dried kelp to the pot.

Cook the same now for about ten mins but ensure that it is not boiled. Remove the kelp and keep it aside.

Add the dried mushrooms along with the miso in the pot and simmer it for around 10-15 mins or till the shiitake mushrooms are hydrated as well as tendered.

Then, it’s time for bok choy to be added and cook till it is tendered and afterward add tofu for about five mins.

The delicious soup is ready, and you can serve it after garnishing it with scallions (green part) or crisp soba noodles.

Recipe For Asian Greens & Shiitake Mushrooms

• Total Time: 20 mins.
• Prep Time: 10 mins.
• Cooking Time: 10 mins.
• Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp peanut oil
• 2 crushed garlic cloves
• Two tsp fresh ginger, finely grated
• 100g thinly sliced fresh shiitake mushrooms
• One bunch trimmed baby Pak Choy, in which leaves are separated, and stems are cut from the leaves
• One group cut baby bok choy
• 425g drained baby corn spears
• 2 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp water

Method

In a frying pan (large one) heat oil or only work it over medium-high heat. Add ginger and garlic to the pan and stir fry it around 30secs or till it becomes aromatic. Then it’s time to add the shiitake mushroom.

Stir fry the same for two mins and then add Pak Choy stems and again stir fry the blend for a minute.

After that add Pak Choy leaves, baby corn spears, baby bok choy, soy sauce, oyster sauce and toss the mixture.

Now add water and lower the heat. Cover the pan and allow it to cook for around two mins or till all the vegetables are tendered. Serve the dish.