Shiitake mushrooms have a distinctive meaty and delicious taste that are loved by many around the world. It is a traditional type of food within asian cuisine, and can be used as an alternative to meat.
Whilst they can be bought at your local grocery store, if you can’t find any, then head to an Asian grocery. They are said to have many health benefits, and are tasty with certain foods.
However, when it comes to preparing shiitake mushrooms, are they okay to eat raw? You can eat a shiitake mushroom raw, so why are people unsure about it?
In this article we shall take a look at eating shiitake mushrooms raw, and why they are so good for you!
Is It Okay To Eat A Raw Shiitake Mushroom?
The reason a lot of people have no idea that it is okay to eat a shiitake mushroom raw is because when you buy them, they are usually dried. This can make people think that eating them raw is a bad idea, but most mushrooms can be eaten raw.
A raw shiitake mushroom is a lot more delicate in texture and softer, especially when they are fresh. They have a strong flavor, though it isn’t as pronounced as a cooked shiitake mushroom.
When the shiitake mushroom has been cooked, it does have a much stronger flavor. However, when you buy a store bought pack of shiitake mushrooms, they are likely to be dried which will need to be soaked before cooking to give them some moisture.
What Are The Benefits Of A Shiitake Mushroom?
Shiitake mushrooms have so many nutritional benefits, so it is no wonder people like to eat them. For example, they include a number of vitamins such as D, B5 and B6.
Alongside this, shiitake mushrooms also include fiber, zinc, riboflavin and copper, among so much more. All of these things help to contribute to a healthy body and digestive system.
Not only that, there have been studies to show that shiitake mushrooms include similar amino acids to that of meat.
However, do keep in mind that like most food, the benefits can change whether you eat them cooked or raw. Also, it depends how fresh the food is, and how they have been stored.
Even so, shiitake mushrooms are a great choice if you are looking for something that is low in calories, but also offers a whole host of nutritional benefits to your body.
How To Prepare A Raw Shiitake Mushroom For Eating
Unlike buying ready to cook shiitake mushrooms, when you get them raw, you will need to add some extra time onto your cooking due to the preparation.
When you first remove the shiitakes from the packaging, you will want to clean them under running water to remove any debris on them. Using something like a paper towel or a clean soft lint free cloth will help to remove anything that is being stubborn.
A soft clean brush will also help if the shiitake mushrooms are particularly dirty. Once you have cleaned them, you can either cut off the bottom part of the stem, or remove it completely.
This is really all about what you prefer. Some people find that the step of the shiitake mushroom is quite stringy and hard compared to the mushroom’s cap, so like to remove it to make them a lot easier to consume.
Without the need to cook, all you then need to do is cut the shiitake mushrooms into strips and add them to meals for extra flavor. A salad is always a great go-to, but you can also add them to food for a healthy boost.
What Do Shiitake Mushrooms Taste Like?
If you want the full flavor of a shiitake mushroom, then it is always best to cook them. This is because when they are raw, the flavor isn’t as strong.
When the shiitake mushrooms are cooked, the flavor becomes meaty and quite rich. This is the reason that they do well as a meat substitute.
What Is The Best Way To Store Shiitake Mushrooms?
Mushrooms in general can be difficult to store due to the greasy film that appears on them if they aren’t stored properly. So, making sure that they aren’t sitting out in the open inside the refrigerator is a good idea!
Whilst you can let the shiitake mushrooms sit in the package they come in, it isn’t always the best idea, especially if it is unsealed.
If it is sealed, then the mushrooms are good to be left as is. Otherwise, putting them inside a paper bag is one of the best ways to store shiitake mushrooms. The paper allows the mushrooms to breathe due to having good airflow.
For this reason, leave them in the main area of the fridge, rather than in the fresh produce compartment. This way, your shiitake mushrooms will last for longer.
Before you store the shiitake mushrooms, it is up to you whether you want to clean them all first under running water. This isn’t necessary however, as you can just wash them as you use them.
Final Words On Shiitake Mushrooms
Shiitake mushrooms can be eaten raw, which is great news if you would like to sprinkle some thin strips onto something really unhealthy, or stir some into a delicious salad.
The mushrooms themselves have been used for years due to their health benefits, though more studies are needed for anything of serious concern such as being able to keep certain cancers at bay.
Even so, shiitake mushrooms are delicious raw, but if you really want to bring out their meaty and buttery flavor, then cooking the mushrooms is the best way to go. When eaten raw, whilst it is fine to do so, the flavor is mild in comparison.
Keep that in mind the next time you take the shiitake mushrooms out of the refrigerator and you are unsure of how to best use up the shiitake mushrooms.
I hope that, by exploring this website, you all will develop a much deeper appreciation for Japan, and that it may even influence you to pay it a visit yourself eventually! It is definitely a trip of a lifetime, and whether you experience it firsthand, or through my own website, I’m sure you will become just as passionate as I always have been!
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