Shiitake mushrooms are very popular in Southeast Asia. And they have been popular for a very long time. The first mentions of them date back to the 3rd century; they are contained in the treatises of ancient Chinese doctors who treated their emperors with decoctions of these mushrooms. It is no coincidence that in a number of medical works they are called imperial. For Europeans living in the 21st century, a natural question arises about what are the benefits of shiitake mushrooms.
Description of shiitake mushrooms
Shiitake (or shiitake, xiang gu) are woody mushrooms. Their favorite natural habitats are the stumps and trunks of oaks, maples, larches, chestnuts and other trees. But most of all they love ebony trunks, which is probably why Europeans know them better under the name "Chinese black mushrooms". Shiitake is harvested after rains in spring and autumn.
In appearance, shiitake mushrooms resemble meadow mushrooms: the same bell-like caps in young mushrooms and umbrella-shaped "headdresses" in adults. Only in the Shiitake are the plates under the hat lighter.
In the eastern markets, shiitake mushrooms are one of the most revered mushrooms. So, in Japan, where for many centuries the best products were the prerogative of the royal family, Shiitake was called the "monarch of mushrooms" or "king", paying tribute to their great taste and useful properties.
Today the food industry has technologies for growing shiitake mushrooms in artificial conditions. This happens on a massive scale, the product is supplied to restaurants and supermarkets and is in great demand among consumers. Shiitake is grown on rice husks and sawdust, therefore, with a sufficiently high taste, mushrooms are deprived of much of that bouquet of healing properties that are inherent in them when grown in natural conditions. The cost of the latter is also different from the artificial counterparts, and it is quite high.
Useful properties of shiitake
Shiitake mushrooms contain large quantities of complex carbohydrates, about 20 amino acids, macro- and microelements (such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, zinc). They are also rich in vitamins: A, C, B1, B2 and D. Due to the balanced composition and production of the enzyme perforin in the human body under its influence, shiitake help fight blood cancer.
Scientists have discovered a special substance in shiitake mushrooms - eritadenine, which can quickly lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels, restore intestinal microflora, thereby improving metabolism and normal stool. And representatives of the beauty industry, on the basis of numerous scientific studies, claim that shiitake prolong the life of cells in the human body, and therefore life, due to the presence of ergothioneine in them - a powerful antioxidant that improves the respiration process of cells and interstitial space.
In addition, the following qualities are inherent in shiitake mushrooms:
- the ability to normalize carbohydrate metabolism, which is important in the treatment of obesity;
- shiitake can act as an immunomodulator that activates the body's defenses;
- active substances contained in mushrooms (such as arginine, histidine, tyrosine, etc.) are involved in building an antiviral barrier in the body, effectively protecting it from inflammatory processes.
How to eat shiitake mushrooms
Shiitake is not consumed raw. But along with this, boiling or frying them for a long time is also not worth it, they can lose all their useful qualities. The best way to cook shiitake is to boil them in a small amount of water for 3-4 minutes, and then simmer (simmer) over a very low heat for no more than 5 minutes.
When you include shiitake mushrooms in your diet, you should know that they are high in calories, 100 g contains 330 kcal. They can also cause allergies, so it's wise to try a small meal first.
How to store shiitake mushrooms
Fresh shiitake is a living product that needs to breathe even after you decide to buy it. Store them in a paper bag in the refrigerator, but no more than 5 days. Dried shiitake should also be stored in a cool place (for example, refrigerator door) for 3-4 months.
