Shiitake Mushrooms (Lentinus edodes)are not only delectable, but they are also good for you. Shiitake Mushrooms contain all the necessary amino acids that are needed in our diet. Shiitake is higher in amino acids than peanuts, soybeans, corn and kidney beans. Mushrooms are also a important source of vegetable proteins, iron, fiber, minerals and vitamins.

• Easiest to Cultivate!
• Time from inoculation to fruiting: Varies
 from 6 months to 2 years
• Temperature requirements for fruiting:
 ranges between 41 to 86 degrees
• Fall or Spring

Nutritional Value – Shiitake – 100 grams (about 3 1/2 oz) contains: 39 Calories, 15 to 35% Protein, Less than one gram of Fat, 7.3 g. Carbohydrate, 0.8 g. Crude fiber, 0.8mg. Thiamine(53% mdr, 0.5mg. Riboflavin(29% mdr, 5.5mg. Niacin(27.5%), High in Vitamin D2(200iu. 50%, B2 and B12

Shiitake is perhaps the most delicious and easiest to cultivate of all the edible medicinal mushrooms, shiitake is highly esteemed for its medicinal properties. It has been found to reduce blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels, stimulate the immune system and have anti-tumor properties.

The logs that will produce the highest yields of shiitake are deciduous oaks, chestnut and ironwood. Many other species will produce yields that are still satisfactory though not quite as high, such as live oak, sweetgum, bitternut hickory, alder, ash, eucalyptus, aspen, hard maples (sugar and black), black willow, yellow birch and river birch. Trees to avoid for shiitake cultivation include conifers, fruit trees, elm, hackberry, sassafras, soft maples (red and striped), sourwood, tulip poplar, dogwood, black locust, beech and most of the hickories.