Shiitake - aka Lentinula edodes

Shelf life and storage:

Store in fridge 7-14 days - longest shelf life of all our species - always refrigerate and thoroughly cook all varieties of fresh mushrooms
Can be frozen after par cooking
Excellent for dehydration - always review food safety guidelines when preparing food for long term storage!
Wipe debris from outdoor grown mushrooms with a damp cloth - rinse and pat or spin dry only if necessary

Flavors and Uses:

Extremely dense and meaty texture
Unique delicious strong umami flavor
Requires a longer cook time - stems inedible but can be used for broth or mushroom salt
An excellent choice for soups and stews
A great all purpose mushroom

Cultivation:

Cultivation difficulty - outdoors on logs: easy, indoors on sterilized sawdust blocks: advanced
Requires full shade and protection from wind
Season - early spring through early winter
Requires patience! Indoor bags take up to 18 weeks, outdoor logs take 6 months to 1 year