Sarah Brown
Shiitake mushrooms, native to East Asia, are a macrofungus with a rich history and a unique growth process. They are scientifically known as Lentinula edodes, a brown mushroom with a light brown stem and a cap that can range from 2 to 4 inches across. Shiitake mushrooms have been cultivated for centuries, with the earliest records originating in China during the Song Dynasty in 1209. They are known for their deep, savoury flavour and versatility in various dishes, making them a popular meat alternative. Shiitake mushrooms grow in groups on decaying wood, particularly the Shii tree, and have specific temperature and moisture requirements for optimal growth. The cultivation process involves creating the right conditions for the fungal spores to spring into life, using logs or sawdust substrates.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Names | Shiitake, sawtooth oak mushroom, black forest mushroom, black mushroom, golden oak mushroom, oakwood mushroom, Lentinula edodes, castanopsis mushrooms |
| Origin | Japan, China |
| Natural Habitat | Deciduous trees such as shii, chinquapins, chestnut, oak, maple, beech, sweetgum, poplar, hornbeam, ironwood, mulberry |
| Climate | Warm and moist |
| Ancient Cultivation Method | Cutting shii trees with axes and placing the logs by trees that were already growing shiitake or contained shiitake spores |
| Commercial Cultivation Method | Artificial substrate or hardwood logs, such as oak |
| Global Production | 25% of total yearly mushroom production |
| Health Benefits | Source of dietary minerals, produces vitamin D2 upon exposure to UVB rays, boosts immune system, high in protein |
| Fruiting | Logs are ready to fruit when shiitake has colonized the outer cylinder of available sapwood; logs are soaked and stacked in a lean-to configuration; mushrooms emerge in a few days |
| Harvesting | Shiitake caps flatten and can be twisted off |
| Resting Period | Logs can rest for 8-10 weeks, dried, and re-soaked for a second time each year |
| Growth Medium | Freshly cut logs or sawdust substrate |
| Suitable Log Types | Alder, ash, birch, bitternut, cherry, chestnut, hophornbeam, ironwood, maple, oak, pecan, sweet gum, sycamore, tulip poplar, walnut, willow |
| Alternative Growth Medium | Artificial sawdust logs in environmentally controlled growth chambers |
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What You'll Learn
Shiitake mushrooms grow on decaying wood
Shiitake mushrooms are a delicious edible fungus native to East Asia, where they are found growing naturally on decaying wood. They are now cultivated worldwide, contributing about 25% of the total yearly mushroom production.
To cultivate shiitake mushrooms on logs, one must first prepare the logs by drilling holes and inoculating them with either mushroom plugs or sawdust spawn. The logs are then soaked in water to initiate fruiting, after which they are stacked in a configuration that allows easy access for harvesting. During the fruiting process, the logs must be kept moist and protected from excessive wind and rain, with a relative humidity of at least 85%.
The shiitake mushrooms are ready to harvest when the caps flatten and can be twisted off. After harvesting, the logs can be rested and re-soaked to produce another flush of mushrooms.
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They are native to East Asia
Shiitake mushrooms, or Lentinula edodes, are native to East Asia. They are edible mushrooms that have become synonymous with Japanese cuisine, with around 83% of the world's shiitake mushrooms produced in Japan. They are also used widely in Chinese cooking. The name "shiitake" originates from Japan and translates into "shii mushroom", named after the shii tree, which is native to Japan.
Shiitake mushrooms are now cultivated worldwide, contributing about 25% of the total yearly production of mushrooms. They are grown in conditions similar to their natural environment, on either artificial substrate or hardwood logs, such as oak. They grow in groups on the decaying wood of deciduous trees, particularly shii and other chinquapins, chestnut, oak, maple, beech, sweetgum, poplar, hornbeam, ironwood, and mulberry.
Shiitake mushrooms have been cultivated and enjoyed globally for over a thousand years. They are prized for their deep, savoury flavour and health benefits, including their high vitamin D and protein content.
Growing shiitake mushrooms can be a fulfilling and cost-effective hobby, but it requires careful attention to environmental conditions. The process involves six key steps: preparing the substrate, inoculating the substrate, the incubation period, fruiting, pinning, and harvesting.
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They have a long incubation period
Shiitake mushrooms have an interesting and somewhat prolonged life cycle, and one of their distinctive characteristics is their long incubation period. This phase is a critical part of their development and can last for several weeks or even months. During this time, the mycelium, which is the vegetative part of the fungus, grows and colonizes its substrate, which can be a variety of materials such as wood chips, sawdust, or straw. The mycelium is actively growing and preparing for the eventual fruiting of the mushrooms. It is working to decompose the substrate and extract the nutrients it needs to sustain its growth and development. This preparatory phase is essential for the shiitake mushroom as it ensures that the fungus has a sufficient food source and a suitable environment to fruit successfully.
The length of the incubation period can vary depending on several factors, including the type of substrate used, the environmental conditions, and the specific strain of shiitake mushroom. For example, a common substrate like sawdust might lead to a shorter incubation period compared to wood chips, which can take longer for the mycelium to fully colonize. Environmental factors such as temperature and humidity also play a role, with optimal conditions expediting the process, while suboptimal conditions may prolong it. Additionally, different strains of shiitake mushrooms may have inherent variations in their growth rates, influencing the duration of their incubation period.
During the incubation stage, the mycelium is hard at work, and its growth is influenced by various cultural practices and environmental factors. Proper moisture content and pH levels in the substrate are critical for successful colonization. The mycelium also requires adequate oxygen levels, which can be influenced by the substrate's porosity and the environment's ventilation. Additionally, the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio of the substrate is important, as it ensures the mycelium receives the right balance of nutrients for optimal growth. Controlling potential contaminants and ensuring a disease-free substrate are also crucial factors in fostering healthy mycelium development during this extended incubation phase.
The long incubation period of shiitake mushrooms is a result of their unique life cycle and the complex interplay between the fungus and its environment. This phase is a necessary investment for the mushroom, as it ensures the development of a robust mycelial network, which is the key to successful and abundant fruiting. By taking its time to establish a strong presence in its substrate, the shiitake mushroom sets the foundation for its future growth and reproduction. This strategy has proven successful in the wild and in cultivation, making shiitake mushrooms a sought-after delicacy and an interesting subject of study in the world of mycology.
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They are grown in artificial conditions
Shiitake mushrooms are one of the most widely cultivated mushrooms globally, second only to the White Button mushroom. They are native to East Asia and have been cultivated and enjoyed worldwide for over a thousand years.
In addition to outdoor log production, shiitake mushrooms can be grown in artificial conditions in environmentally controlled growth chambers. These chambers can be inexpensive homemade products or high-tech equipment that costs thousands of dollars.
Shiitake mushrooms are typically grown in conditions similar to their natural environment, on either artificial substrate or hardwood logs, such as oak. The planting medium for shiitake mushrooms is usually a freshly cut log or a sawdust substrate. Hardwood logs such as Alder, Ash, Birch, Bitternut, Cherry, Chestnut, Hophornbeam, Ironwood, Maple, Oak, Pecan, Sweet gum, Sycamore, Tulip Poplar, Walnut, and Willow are suitable for shiitake mushroom cultivation.
To grow shiitake mushrooms in artificial conditions, the following steps are typically involved:
- Preparing the shiitake mushroom substrate
- Inoculating the substrate
- Incubation period
- Shiitake fruiting
- Harvesting the shiitake mushrooms
During the fruiting phase, logs are soaked and then stacked for fruiting, typically in a high A-frame or lean-to configuration. The stacking arrangement should facilitate easy access to all sides of each log for harvesting. Logs stacked outdoors can be covered to minimize wind and rain, stabilize temperatures, and localize humidity.
Shiitake mushrooms are highly vulnerable to cold and windy conditions, which may inhibit growth. Pinning, or early mushroom development, requires a log moisture content of 35% to an optimum of 60%, with optimum temperatures between 55–65 °F and relative humidity of at least 85%.
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They have medicinal properties
Shiitake mushrooms are not just prized for their rich, savoury taste, but also for their medicinal properties. They are a powerful source of nutrients and contain many of the same amino acids as meat. They are also a good source of vitamins and minerals.
Shiitake mushrooms are rich in beta-glucans, soluble fibres that support immunity and cholesterol control. Beta-glucans are also known to benefit cancer patients. In Japan, beta-glucans have been used to stimulate the immune system during cancer treatment. Shiitake mushrooms also contain eritadenine, a compound known to reduce cholesterol levels in the blood.
Shiitake mushrooms are also a good source of magnesium and potassium, which are key nutrients in blood pressure regulation. They contain vitamin D2, which is produced upon exposure of their internal ergosterol to ultraviolet B (UVB) rays from sunlight or broadband UVB fluorescent tubes. The vitamin D levels of mushrooms vary depending on how they are grown. When exposed to UV light, they develop higher levels of this compound.
Compounds in shiitake have antimicrobial properties, and they have been used medicinally in Asia for over 2000 years.
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Frequently asked questions
Shiitake mushrooms are native to East Asia and grow in groups on the decaying wood of deciduous trees, particularly shii and other chinquapins, chestnut, oak, maple, beech, sweetgum, poplar, hornbeam, ironwood, and mulberry.
Shiitake mushrooms require a shaded, humid environment with temperatures between 40 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. They also need a wood-based growing medium, such as logs or blocks of sawdust, to get the nutrients they need.
Shiitake mushrooms have a longer incubation time compared to other mushroom varieties, taking 6 to 12 months when grown on logs and a few months when grown on sawdust.
Logs for shiitake cultivation should be inoculated between autumn to late winter when dormant trees have higher sugar and nutrient levels. The logs should be freshly cut and placed in a shady location off the ground, covered with a breathable fabric to protect them from the sun while allowing moisture to pass through.
