Can you eat raw shiitake mushrooms?

People eat shiitake mushrooms raw, cooked or dried, making them a versatile food you can incorporate into a wide array of meals. Raw shiitakes offer the largest number of health benefits, but dried shiitakes are also rich in vitamins and minerals. read more

Eating Raw Shiitakes. Fresh shiitake mushrooms can be eaten raw, but many people don't think this is possible because they are commonly sold dried. While dried shiitake mushrooms are similar nutritionally to their fresh counterparts, their flavor is more pronounced and they need to be soaked in water before being eaten. read more

Shiitakes are delicious and healthy for you, not just nutritionally but for the immune system as well. Often, I've bought shiitake logs and grown my own. I don't eat them raw, however, as they can be hard to digest as they have more protein than the common store-bought Agaricus mushrooms (button, Crimini, Portobello, all actually A. bisporus). read more

The shiitake may be my favorite: It appears to enhance immunity and reduce the risk of several types of cancer. Maitake contains complex sugars called beta-glucans that have immune-enhancing effects. Oyster mushrooms contain compounds that can help address high cholesterol. Other mushrooms are used strictly in traditional medicinal preparations. read more