Sarah Brown
Maitake mushrooms, also known as Hen of the Woods or Cloud mushrooms, are a rare find in the wild. They are highly valued in Japan for their rich, succulent flavour and health benefits. Maitake mushrooms can be purchased fresh or dried from various retailers, including Mikuni Wild Harvest, Whole Foods Market, D'Artagnan, and Seacoast Mushrooms. These mushrooms are versatile in cooking and can be roasted, sautéed, or sliced and seared into mushroom steaks. They are also believed to have medicinal properties.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purchase Options | Mikuni Wild Harvest, Seacoast Mushrooms, Whole Foods Market, D'Artagnan, Eden Foods |
| Amount | 4 oz, 6 oz, or 1 lb |
| Type | Fresh, dried |
| Culinary Uses | Soups, stews, stir-fries, grain and pasta dishes, sauces, casseroles, roasted meats and poultry, Asian dishes, dark leafy greens, grains |
| Preparation | Clean with a brush or tea towel, cook fully before eating, soak dried mushrooms to reconstitute |
| Storage | Refrigerate in a paper bag, use within 3 days |
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Mikuni Wild Harvest
Maitake mushrooms are commonly roasted, sauteed, or sliced and seared into "mushroom steaks". They pair well with greens, especially wild seasonal varieties. Maitake mushrooms are also believed to have medicinal benefits. The brown leaf-like caps have tiny pores on the underside, which are white, as are the spores.
When it comes to storage, Mikuni Wild Harvest recommends keeping the mushrooms in a paper bag in the refrigerator. They will usually last about a week but are best consumed within the first three days. If the mushrooms are damp when received, they should be air-dried in the refrigerator.
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Whole Foods Market
In addition to these specific products, Whole Foods Market emphasizes plant-based diets and healthy eating. The Whole Foods Diet, created by co-founder and CEO John Mackey along with doctors, emphasizes choosing real, plant-based foods over highly processed ones. Similarly, the Engine 2 Plant-Strong Diet, founded by a world-class athlete and Healthy Eating Partner of Whole Foods Market, centers on whole, nutritious, plant-based foods while eliminating animal products and processed items.
Therefore, Whole Foods Market is a suitable destination for purchasing maitake mushrooms and other plant-based products. The availability of both fresh and powdered maitake mushrooms caters to diverse culinary preferences and recipe requirements. The store's alignment with plant-based diets provides assurance that you can find a variety of complementary whole foods to support your culinary and dietary goals.
It is important to note that prices and availability of maitake mushrooms at Whole Foods Market may vary, and promotions or discounts may differ between in-store and online offerings. Checking the availability at your local Whole Foods Market store or their website is advisable to ensure you have the most up-to-date information on pricing and product options.
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D'Artagnan
- 2 tablespoons of white miso
- 2 teaspoons of sake (optional)
- 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter at room temperature
- 1½ pounds of fresh organic maitake mushrooms
- ¼ cup of olive oil
- Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
- ½ lemon, cut into wedges, for serving (optional)
To prepare the dish, preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. In a small bowl, mix together the miso and sake (if using), then add the butter and stir until smooth. You can make the miso butter ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator or freezer. Arrange the mushrooms in a single layer in a large cast-iron pan or on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper, gently tossing to coat. Dot the mushrooms with three tablespoons of miso butter and roast, basting occasionally. The mushrooms are ready when the hearts are tender and the petals are golden and crispy, which should take about 30 to 35 minutes. Serve with the remaining miso butter and lemon wedges on the side.
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Seacoast Mushrooms
Maitake mushrooms, also known as Hen of the Woods, are known for their rich umami flavour and health benefits. They are a rare find in the wild, but can be purchased from several online retailers.
One such retailer is Seacoast Mushrooms, which offers Maitake mushrooms in 4oz increments. These mushrooms have a light, feathery texture and an earthy flavour. They recommend sautéing the mushrooms in butter or olive oil with herbs such as sage or thyme, and then seasoning with salt and pepper.
In addition to their distinctive flavour and texture, Maitake mushrooms are known for their potential health benefits. They are highly valued in Japan for their rich, succulent flavour and health-promoting properties. Recent studies have suggested that the polysaccharide carbohydrates in Maitake mushrooms, especially beta glucan, may be responsible for their immune-strengthening properties.
When purchasing Maitake mushrooms from Seacoast Mushrooms, it is important to follow proper storage and preparation techniques. The company recommends storing the mushrooms in a paper bag in the refrigerator, where they will last for about a week but are best consumed within the first three days. Prior to cooking, the mushrooms should be cleaned without water, using tools such as paring knives, mushroom brushes, or tea towels to remove any debris.
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Eden Foods
The maitake mushrooms from Eden Foods are grown in the USA and are highly valued for their rich, succulent flavor and health benefits. They get their name from the Japanese word for "dancing mushroom," as their delicate, rippled cluster appearance resembles butterflies dancing. In old Japan, maitake were exchanged for their weight in silver due to their rarity and flavor.
With a rich umami flavor, maitake mushrooms complement a variety of dishes, including roasted meats and poultry, Asian cuisine, dark leafy greens, and grains. They can be roasted with avocado oil and flake salt or sautéed in miso-butter.
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Frequently asked questions
Mikuni Wild Harvest and D'Artagnan both offer fresh maitake mushrooms.
Eden Foods sells organic, dried maitake mushrooms.
Whole Foods Market stocks organic maitake mushrooms in their stores.
