About the origin of dried shiitake mushrooms
Shiitake mushrooms are one of the most popular ingredients in Chinese cuisine. There are two types of shiitake mushrooms, the first being dried and the other fresh. They’re quite different for obvious reasons but we equally love both types of shiitake mushroom.
The earliest historical record of shiitake cultivation is from the Southern Song dynasty in the book Records of Longquan County. This book is compiled by He Zhan. This book was referenced many times and even adapted in the first book of shiitake mushroom cultivation in Japan.
Dried shiitake mushrooms and fresh shiitake mushrooms have very different aromas and flavors. Dried shiitake mushroom has a much stronger aroma and flavor compared to fresh shiitake mushroom.
You can prepare dried shiitake mushrooms with many different methods in Chinese cooking, such as adding it to your soup, stir-fry, stew, braise, steam and more.