Shiitake - Lentinula edodes

The shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes) is native to Asia, where it is considered a superfood due to its unique culinary properties and the health benefits it provides. Among these, its ability to fight cancer cells, improve the immune system, and its potential to help combat infections and cardiovascular diseases stand out.

Also known as "the mushroom of life", it grows naturally and wild in forested areas, on the trunks of trees such as oak, beech, and eucalyptus. It is typically found in regions with a warm and humid climate. In countries like China and Japan, there is a long tradition of cultivating shiitake, which is used in their traditional medicine.

Nutritionally, shiitake is rich in B vitamins and has a high protein content. Known for its unique flavor and texture, it is used to prepare a wide variety of dishes and recipes.

Shiitake Capsules

Our Shiitake capsules are easy to take daily:

Shiitake Powder

Shiitake powder can be mixed into a smoothie or your tea for a powerful dose of antioxidants:

What is Shiitake?

This mushroom is also known by other names, such as the "Emperor of Mushrooms" or even the "Mushroom of Eternal Youth". It is usually consumed dried, though it can also be found fresh. It is widely used in Oriental cuisine to prepare a variety of dishes, such as soups, sauces, and stir-fries, characterized by its intense and unique flavor. In Thailand, for example, shiitake is consumed both fried and steamed.

Shiitake is also available as a supplement in the form of powder or extract capsules. It is a mushroom with great immunomodulatory properties, mainly attributed to its high content of prebiotic fiber, which greatly supports the health of the gut microbiota.

Medicinal Mushrooms, Adaptogenic Mushrooms

Shiitake, like other mushrooms, is an adaptogenic mushroom, meaning it can help our body adapt to stress and maintain internal balance. Among its main benefits, we can highlight the following:

  • Shiitake is rich in B vitamins, which provide energy to our body, including vitamins B1, B2, and B12.
  • It also contains vitamins C and D, which help reduce the risk of heart disease.
  • It contains a large amount of high biological value proteins, with 9 essential amino acids.
  • It is considered a prebiotic as it contributes to maintaining the balance of the gut microbiota.
  • It promotes digestion thanks to its digestive enzymes, primarily pepsin and trypsin.
  • Shiitake contains a large number of minerals such as folic acid, magnesium, phosphorus, selenium, and potassium.
  • It contains antioxidants that have been used to support the treatment of cancers and tumors.
  • It helps control blood sugar levels and reduce body inflammation.
  • It contains linoleic acid, which promotes healthy bone formation, improves digestion, and reduces allergies, especially those related to food sensitivities.
  • It helps improve cardiovascular health due to the presence of sterols, which interfere with cholesterol production in the liver.

Active Components of Shiitake: Polysaccharides, Eritadenine, and Others

The active components of shiitake include important compounds beneficial for health:

  • Polysaccharides such as lentinan and β-glucan, which boost the immune system and have antitumor properties.
  • Unsaturated fatty acids, which support cardiovascular health and help reduce cholesterol.
  • Eritadenine, known for its ability to lower cholesterol levels by regulating its production in the liver.
  • A wide range of essential minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, and zinc, necessary for general well-being and metabolic functioning.
  • B vitamins, B12, E, and provitamin D, which contribute to energy production, nervous system health, and antioxidant protection.
  • Essential amino acids such as lysine, arginine, phenylalanine, and methionine, vital for protein synthesis and maintaining cellular health.
  • Digestive enzymes such as amylase and cellulase, which improve digestion and nutrient absorption.

Shiitake Cultivation (Lentinula edodes): Traditional and Modern Techniques

The cultivation of shiitake is primarily done through two methods: traditional wood cultivation and synthetic block cultivation.

  • Wood cultivation: This traditional technique involves inoculating shiitake spores into tree logs, such as oak or eucalyptus. The logs, which are between 1 and 1.2 meters long, are drilled to insert the mushroom mycelium.
  • Synthetic block cultivation: Developed in 1986 in Fujian, China, this method uses an artificial substrate made of hardwood sawdust, grain bran, calcium carbonate, and gypsum. This method speeds up shiitake production, reducing the cultivation cycle to three or four months.

Thanks to the synthetic block technique, China has surpassed Japan as the world’s largest shiitake producer, significantly increasing global production.

Taxonomy

Kingdom:Fungi
Phylum:Basidiomycota
Class:Agaricomycetes
Order:Agaricales
Family:Marasmiaceae
Genus:Lentinula
Species:L. Edodes

Habitat

Habitat:Japan
China
Korea
Climate:Temperate
and humid
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