The name, Shiitake, is Japanese and comes from the word “Shii” which is the name of the tree that the mushroom usually grows on.
Shiitake mushrooms provide a healthy source of carbohydrate, protein, and essential amino acids*. They are low in fat and contain high concentrations of vitamins D, B-6, B-9 and B-12, and minerals*. Although there is no formal definition of a “superfood,” shiitakes unquestionably deserve this accolade.*