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Shiitake (Lentinula edodes)
MUNENORI YAMAKAWA · CC BY 4.0
Edible species

Shiitake

Lentinula edodes · Omphalotaceae

Shiitake is one of the most widely produced mushrooms in the world, accounting for around a quarter of annual mushroom production.

FamilyOmphalotaceae
SeasonCultivated all year
Spore printWhite to buff
Records in TurkeyNone yet
CultivationGrows at home
StatusEdible species

Shiitake is one of the most widely produced mushrooms in the world, accounting for around a quarter of annual mushroom production. It is a brown, dome-capped species with a woody, umami-rich character. The oldest written record of its cultivation dates from 1209, in Song-dynasty China.

Also called: black forest mushroom, oakwood mushroom, Chinese black mushroom Turkish: Shiitake, şiitake mantarı

Shiitake

How to recognise it

Shiitake, part by part

No ring or volva Spore print: White to buff Distinctly woody and savoury; stronger when dried.

Cap — Shiitake
CapConvex, light to dark brown; prized cold-grown types show flower-like cracks on the cap.
Gills — Shiitake
GillsWhitish gills, free from the stem.
Stem — Shiitake
StemBare, fibrous and tough; usually removed before cooking.

When and where

Cultivated all year

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

Shiitake is native to East and Southeast Asia, and there are no wild records of it in Turkey (GBIF, 0 records). It is grown all year round on logs and sawdust blocks.

Where does shiitake grow?

In the wild, shiitake grows in groups on decaying wood of broadleaf trees (shii, chestnut, oak, maple, beech, hornbeam, poplar…). In cultivation it is grown on oak logs or hardwood sawdust blocks.

In Turkey

Shiitake does not grow wild in Turkey and is found only as a cultivated crop.

Our map has no observations of shiitake from Turkey yet.

See on the map

In its habitat — Shiitake
In its habitat
In cultivation — Shiitake
In cultivation

Look-alikes

What could it be confused with?

Easy to recognise. A cultivated species that is not foraged in Turkey; sources list no prominent dangerous look-alike.

In the kitchen

Cooking with shiitake

Shiitake ramen Soups Shiitake ramen Homemade ramen with a deeply savoury broth of dried shiitake and kombu, finished with miso, crisp fresh shiitake and soy-marinated eggs. 1 hr 20 min Shiitake Homemade mushroom powder Pickles & preserves Homemade mushroom powder A deeply savoury powder made from dried shiitake and porcini that lifts soups, sauces and meat rubs. Makes about 75 g, one small jar. 1 hr Shiitake Pasta & risotto Shiitake stir-fry noodles Glossy egg noodles tossed with seared shiitake, pak choi and a soy and ginger sauce, ready in 30 minutes. 30 min Shiitake

On the blog

GrowingHow to use a mushroom grow kit: from box to harvest5 min readKitchenWhich mushrooms can you eat raw, and which must be cooked?4 min read

What goes well with shiitake

  • ginger ×2
  • garlic ×2
  • toasted sesame oil ×2
  • spring onions ×2
  • toasted sesame seeds ×2
  • cold water
  • kombu
  • soy sauce
  • mirin
  • white (shiro) miso

The ingredients that come up most in our 3 recipes with shiitake.

Storing shiitake

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

How to store mushrooms: the full guide →

Per 100 g of raw shiitake

34kcal
%2protein
%7carbohydrate
%<1fat
%90water

Source: Wikipedia (USDA). General information, not a health claim.

Rarely, raw or undercooked shiitake can cause a streaky, itchy rash about 24 hours later ("shiitake dermatitis"); thorough cooking reduces the risk.

Grow it, buy it

Shiitake price list

Waiting list

Fresh shiitake

Lentinula edodes

Thick-capped shiitake full of umami, from our oak sawdust blocks.

Shiitake price list
ProductUsMarket (sourced, dated)
Shiitake grow kit · SmallComing soon · waiting list1.250,00 ₺ Agroma · Shiitake hobby grow kit · 26 Oct 2026
Shiitake grow kit · LargeComing soon · waiting list—
Shiitake grow kit · MegaComing soon · waiting list—
Fresh shiitakeComing soon · waiting list—
Dried shiitakeIn preparation · notify me—

Our prices for shiitake 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 shiitake edible?

Yes, shiitake is an edible species. Eat a wild one only after an expert has identified it with certainty. Rarely, raw or undercooked shiitake can cause a streaky, itchy rash about 24 hours later ("shiitake dermatitis"); thorough cooking reduces the risk.

When is shiitake season in Turkey?

Shiitake is native to East and Southeast Asia, and there are no wild records of it in Turkey (GBIF, 0 records). It is grown all year round on logs and sawdust blocks.

Where does shiitake grow?

In the wild, shiitake grows in groups on decaying wood of broadleaf trees (shii, chestnut, oak, maple, beech, hornbeam, poplar…). In cultivation it is grown on oak logs or hardwood sawdust blocks.

Where is shiitake found in Turkey?

Shiitake does not grow wild in Turkey and is found only as a cultivated crop.

What is shiitake called in Turkish?

In Turkish, shiitake (Lentinula edodes) is called Shiitake; other local names include şiitake mantarı.

Related species

All species → · Identify by photo →

Sources (2)
Photo credits (10)