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Maitake (Grifola frondosa)
Tamberly Conway · CC BY 4.0
Edible species

Maitake

Grifola frondosa · Grifolaceae

Maitake forms a large clump of grey-brown, spoon-shaped caps, up to 50 cm across, at the base of old oaks.

FamilyGrifolaceae
SeasonAug–Oct
Spore printWhite
Cap width2–10 cm
Records in TurkeyNone yet
CultivationGrows at home
StatusEdible species

Maitake forms a large clump of grey-brown, spoon-shaped caps, up to 50 cm across, at the base of old oaks. Its Japanese name means "dancing mushroom"; it has been eaten in Chinese and Japanese cooking for centuries. Its polysaccharides are being studied, but no high-quality clinical evidence supports medicinal use.

Also called: hen-of-the-woods, sheep's head, ram's head Turkish: Maitake

Maitake

How to recognise it

Maitake, part by part

No ring or volva Spore print: White Pleasant and sweetish when young; older ones can taste acrid.

Cap — Maitake
CapMany grey-brown caps 2–10 cm across, spoon- or fan-shaped with wavy edges.
Pores — Maitake
PoresNo gills; 1–3 pores per millimetre underneath, tubes rarely deeper than 3 mm.
StemA cream, much-branched shared stem.

When and where

Aug–Oct

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Augin season
  9. Sepin season
  10. Octin season
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

Maitake fruits from August to October in Europe; there are no GBIF records from Turkey. Cultivated maitake is produced all year round.

Where does maitake grow?

Maitake grows at the base of old oaks, sometimes maples and other hardwoods. It comes up from a potato-sized underground sclerotium and returns to the same spot for years.

In Turkey

There are no geo-referenced records of maitake in Turkey.

Our map has no observations of maitake from Turkey yet.

See on the map

In its habitat — Maitake
In its habitat
In its habitat — Maitake
In its habitat

Look-alikes

What could it be confused with?

Edible species

Black-staining polypore Meripilus sumstinei

Similar taste but rubbery; stains black when handled.

Maitake
Maitake
Chicken of the woods
Chicken of the woods
Edible species

Chicken of the woods Laetiporus sulphureus

Sulphur-yellow to orange shelves.

In the kitchen

Cooking with maitake

Mains Roasted maitake (hen of the woods) Maitake roasted at 220 °C with garlic butter and thyme until the edges are crisp and the centres meaty, ready in 35 minutes. 35 min Maitake

What goes well with maitake

  • olive oil
  • butter
  • garlic
  • thyme
  • lemon
  • flaky sea salt
  • flat-leaf parsley

The ingredients in our recipe with maitake.

Storing maitake

Fresh · fridge3–7 daysKeep fresh maitake unwashed in a paper bag in the fridge; delicate species are at the short end. Source
FrozenA few monthsFreeze maitake cooked, not raw: sauté and cool them first. Source
DriedA few months – 1 yearKeep dried maitake in an airtight jar in a cool, dry, dark place. Source

How to store mushrooms: the full guide →

Some people are allergic to it; the softer caps must be cooked thoroughly.

Grow it, buy it

Maitake price list

Maitake price list
ProductUsMarket (sourced, dated)
Fresh maitakeIn preparation · notify me—
Dried maitakeIn preparation · notify me—

Our prices for maitake are published when the product is ready; for now we take waiting-list sign-ups. The market column shows prices seen on other sellers' pages on the date given; they are not our prices and may have changed.

Grow kits → How to grow →

Frequently asked questions

Is maitake edible?

Yes, maitake is an edible species. Eat a wild one only after an expert has identified it with certainty. Some people are allergic to it; the softer caps must be cooked thoroughly.

When is maitake season in Turkey?

In our calendar, maitake season runs Aug–Oct. Maitake fruits from August to October in Europe; there are no GBIF records from Turkey. Cultivated maitake is produced all year round.

Where does maitake grow?

Maitake grows at the base of old oaks, sometimes maples and other hardwoods. It comes up from a potato-sized underground sclerotium and returns to the same spot for years.

Where is maitake found in Turkey?

There are no geo-referenced records of maitake in Turkey.

What can maitake be confused with?

Maitake can be confused with black-staining polypore (Meripilus sumstinei, edible species) and chicken of the woods (Laetiporus sulphureus, edible species). Look-alikes are compared on this page.

What is maitake called in Turkish?

In Turkish, maitake (Grifola frondosa) is called Maitake.

Related species

All species → · Identify by photo →

Sources (3)
Photo credits (10)