Funghi

Lentinula edodes

A tier

Lentinula edodes is the shiitake—brown umbrella mushroom of East Asian cultivation with meaty texture, garlic-woody umami, and drying that intensifies smoky depth. Logs and sawdust blocks both produce commercial fruit. Fresh and dried forms are kitchen essentials. Sauté, roast, simmer in broths; soak dried for stock and slices. Stems are tougher—use for stock. Species defines all shiitake market grades.