Shiitake Mushroom Supplements

Shiitake mushroom supplements and dried shiitake in the UK

Shiitake is probably the most familiar mushroom on this site. It is a staple of East Asian cooking and a regular in UK supermarkets. Here you can buy it three ways: as capsules, as a powder or as dried whole mushrooms. This guide explains the differences and shares a few kitchen tips along the way.

What is shiitake?

Shiitake is the common name for Lentinula edodes. It has a brown, slightly domed cap, pale gills and a firm stem. Once cooked, the caps turn tender and meaty. The flavour is what most people love: a deep, savoury umami taste that adds body to broths and sauces.

It is an everyday food mushroom and it is not psychoactive.

Centuries of log cultivation

Shiitake mushrooms have been cultivated on logs in Japan and China for centuries. Growers traditionally cut hardwood logs, introduce the mushroom and wait for caps to appear on the bark. That slow, patient method is a big part of the mushroom's long history in both countries.

Xiang Gu and Dong Gu

In Chinese, shiitake is known as Xiang Gu, which roughly translates as fragrant mushroom. Dong Gu is another Chinese name for it. You will see both on our labels: Dong Gu on the capsules and Xiang Gu on the dried shiitake. They all refer to the same species.

Capsules, powder or dried shiitake: how to choose

• Capsules: 90 vegan capsules for people who want shiitake in their routine without any taste or cooking.
• Powder: Shiitake powder has a strong umami flavour and works well as a seasoning. Choose 60g or 120g.
• Dried: Whole dried shiitake mushrooms are the classic cupboard ingredient for soups, noodles and stir-fries.
• Budget: A 50g bag of dried shiitake costs £4.50, the lowest price on this page.
• Time: Capsules and powder are ready instantly. Dried shiitake needs a short soak first.

How to cook with dried shiitake mushrooms

Dried shiitake mushrooms need rehydrating before you cook them. Put them in a bowl, cover with warm water and leave for 20 to 30 minutes until soft. Squeeze them gently, trim off any tough stems and slice the caps.

Do not pour away the soaking liquid. It is full of flavour and makes an excellent base for stock. Strain it to remove any grit, then add it to ramen, miso soup, broths or a stir-fry sauce. The softened mushrooms can go straight into the same dish.

Store unopened and opened bags in an airtight container somewhere cool and dry. Find more varieties, including wood ear and nameko, in our dried mushrooms collection.

Using shiitake mushroom powder

Shiitake powder brings that umami depth without any soaking. Stir a spoonful into soups, gravies, stews, noodle broths or a pasta sauce. Some people add it to porridge or a smoothie too, though its savoury flavour suits savoury food best. It is also good sprinkled into a vegetable stir-fry, mixed into burger patties or whisked into a simple salad dressing with soy sauce and sesame oil. Keep the pouch sealed between uses.

How to take shiitake capsules and powder

Follow the serving on the label for both capsules and powder. Capsules can be taken with water whenever is convenient. Shiitake is also one of the seven mushrooms in our raspberry flavoured mushroom gummies, if you prefer a chewable option.

Buying shiitake mushroom in the UK

Fresh shiitake is easy to pick up in British supermarkets, but dried shiitake and shiitake powder keep far longer than fresh, so you can always have some in the cupboard. Dried caps are the better pick if you love cooking from scratch. Powder is quicker on a weeknight. Capsules suit anyone who wants shiitake as part of a daily routine rather than a recipe.

Every shiitake mushroom product we sell in the UK is lab tested, and orders over £30 ship free. A 50g bag of dried shiitake alongside a pot of capsules is one simple way to get there. Compare shiitake with other species in our mushroom capsules and mushroom powders ranges.