Shiitake (Lentinus edodes)

From Japanese shii tree + take = mushroom

High in protein, fibre, minerals and healthy cholesterol lowering sterols. The most popular exotic mushroom for cooking. Meaty firm texture which is slippery when cooked. Very common in Asian and Italian cooking. Like any of the exotic mushrooms, best pan fried, sautéed in butter or oil, or it can be added to soups or stews to give a satisfying taste. First cultivated in 11th century Japan during Southern Song dynasty. Well before modern cultivation techniques were invented, people cut and placed Shii trees (related to beech and oak) next to trees which were producing the mushrooms.

About the Producer

Garryhinch Wood Exotic is a long-standing family run farm by Joe & Dolores Gorman. The Organic farm is located on the banks of the river Barrow on the borders of counties Laois and Offaly.

They have been in mushroom farming for over 30 years supplying appetising and nutritious mushrooms for the retail sector, food services sector and farmers markets all across Ireland.

At present, they grow a wide range of wild exotic organic mushrooms which are cultivated on wooden blocks made from trees sourced from sustainable managed forests. These tasty mushrooms have a high nutritional value, and have also amazing benefits like lowering cholesterol, helps to fight infection and builds the immune system.

Garryhinch Mushrooms, 2023

Seasonality

Jan-Dec