Dried shiitake mushroom is also called Chinese language mushrooms. It’s a highly regarded Chinese language ingredient. We are going to introduce this beautiful magic umani ingredient with a recipe to switch the style to a yummy Rooster Soup.
Soar to
What’s Shiitake Mushrooms
Shiitake mushrooms, native to East Asia, have been a cornerstone of culinary traditions for hundreds of years. Acknowledged for his or her wealthy, umami taste and meaty texture, they remodel strange dishes into gourmand experiences.
When dried, their flavors intensify, making them a favourite alternative for soups and broths.

Why drying shiitake mushrooms
Whereas recent shiitake mushrooms supply their very own distinctive texture and gentle taste, the drying course of turns these fungi into taste powerhouses. Not solely is the style enhanced, however drying additionally provides sensible advantages that make it a favourite amongst many cooks and residential cooks.
Chinese language individuals at all times imagine that dried shiitake mushrooms style a lot better than recent ones that is as a result of there are many chemical compounds that occur through the drying course of. Following are a few of the theories behind it.
- Focus of Compounds: As water is faraway from the mushroom through the drying course of, the flavors change into concentrated. This makes dried shiitakes stronger in style, providing a richer umami profile.
- Improvement of Guanylate: The drying course of will increase the degrees of guanylate, a compound accountable for the umami taste. This enhances the naturally occurring glutamate within the mushrooms, additional intensifying the style.
- Maillard Response: Although not as pronounced as in roasted or grilled meals, the drying course of could cause a point of the Maillard response. It is a chemical response between amino acids and lowering sugars that imparts a deeper taste and coloration to meals.
There are additionally a variety of advantages to drying the shiitake mushrooms
Prolonged Shelf Life: Drying shiitakes successfully removes moisture, stopping microbial progress and spoilage. This enables the mushrooms to be saved for for much longer durations than their recent counterparts.
Simpler to retailer: dried shiitake mushrooms are a lot simpler to retailer than recent ones.
Versatility in Cooking: Dried shiitakes could be rehydrated and used equally to recent ones, or they are often floor right into a powder and used as a seasoning.

Dried Shiitake Mushrooms Buying Suggestions
Following are a few of the suggestions for buying high-quality dried shiitake mushrooms.
In fact! Selecting high-quality dried shiitake mushrooms ensures you get the perfect of their concentrated flavors and advantages. Here is what to look out for:
Test the Cap Look:
The caps needs to be uniformly darkish brown and free from any discolorations, spots, or white moldy patches. Go for entire caps quite than damaged items for extra constant rehydration and cooking outcomes.
Typically, thicker caps point out a greater high quality as they rehydrate to a meatier texture. Thinner caps would possibly change into too comfortable and even disintegrate through the rehydration course of.
Scent the Aroma:
High quality dried shiitakes can have a deep, earthy, and woody aroma. Keep away from these with a musty or off scent, as this might point out poor drying practices or potential spoilage.
Really feel the Texture:
Excessive-quality dried shiitakes needs to be exhausting and crisp. They need to snap simply when bent and never really feel rubbery or pliable.
The best way to hydrate dried shiitake mushrooms
Correct hydration of dried shiitake mushrooms is important to maximise their taste and texture. Here is an in depth part on how you can do it:
Washing: Gently wash the dried shiitake mushrooms to take away any dust on the floor.
Soaking: you possibly can both soak with chilly water or heat water.
- Cowl the mushrooms fully with chilly water, making certain they’re submerged. You may place a small plate or weight on prime to maintain them from floating.
- Allow them to soak for 1 or 2 hours till nicely expanded. This methodology ensures the mushrooms hydrate slowly, retaining their texture and form.
If you happen to’re quick on time, you should use sizzling water to hurry up the rehydration course of. Let the shiitake mushroom soak in heat water for 20 to half-hour. Test for tenderness. Some thicker mushrooms would possibly want a bit extra time.

Clear once more: after the shiitake mushroom is nicely hydrated, wash the mushrooms once more to take away any dust hidden.

Reserve the Liquid: The soaking liquid from the mushrooms can be flavorful and can be utilized in numerous dishes like soups, stews, or sauces.
If you happen to’re planning to make use of the soaking liquid, pressure it by way of a wonderful sieve or cheesecloth to take away any impurities.
Storage tip
If you’re a dried shiitake mushroom like me, listed here are a few of the necessary suggestions for storing your shiitake mushrooms.
Use Air-tight containers: switch the mushrooms from their unique packaging to an hermetic container or resealable plastic bag. This helps forestall moisture from getting into, which may result in mould progress or scale back the mushroom’s high quality.
Place in cool and darkish locations: All the time retailer dried shiitake mushrooms in a cool and darkish location. Extreme warmth and lightweight can degrade the standard of the mushrooms over time.
Test Usually: Each every so often, examine the saved mushrooms for any indicators of moisture, mould, or off smells. If any of those are detected, take away the affected mushrooms instantly to forestall additional contamination.
Dried shiitake mushrooms could be stored up for two years in good situation.
The best way to make a scrumptious rooster and mushroom soup
Add a small quantity of oil to a pot, fry rooster chunks with ginger till the rooster is barely seared.

Add rehydrated dried shiitake mushrooms, sizzling boiling water, and the mushroom liquid. I’ll suggest including 4 scallion whites. Deliver to a boil after which simmer for 1 hour.

Add salt and recent shiitake mushrooms in case you are utilizing, and proceed simmer for one more quarter-hour.

Sprinkle chopped inexperienced onion earlier than serving.


Rooster and Shiitake Mushroom Soup
Simple and filled with unami taste of Rooster and shiitake mushroom soup
Servings: 4
Energy: 163kcal
Components
- entire rooster
- 1.5 L sizzling boiling water
- 500 ml liquid for hydrated the rooster
- 2 tbsp. vegetable cooking oil
- 20 dried shitake mushroom , in the event you use bigger sizes, use 10 or 12
- One piece of ginger
- 10 entire white pepper
- 4 scallion whites
- 3 tbsp. salt
Directions
Hydrate shiitake mushroom
-
wash the dried shiitake mushrooms firstly after which add sufficient heat water to cowl. Soak it for 20 to half-hour till the mushrooms are nicely explaneded. Clear once more to take away any potential dirts and pressure the liquid for later use.
Fry the rooster
-
Select natural rooster, minimize the rooster into chunks and when nicely cleaned.
-
Fry the rooster: add 2 tablespoons of oil and fry the rooster chunks with ginger till barely browned. This can improve the flavour of the soup.
Pour water
-
When the rooster meat is nicely seared, add sizzling boiling water, white pepper, shiitake mushroom liquid and scallion white.
-
Deliver it to a boiling after which simmer for 1 hour. You may also use on the spot pot to lock the method.
-
Non-compulsory: add 3-4 flower minimize recent shiitake mushrooms for a greater wanting solely. And proceed simmer for quarter-hour.
Vitamin
Energy: 163kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 13g | Fats: 10g | Saturated Fats: 3g | Ldl cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 1021mg | Potassium: 199mg | Vitamin A: 100IU | Vitamin C: 1.2mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 0.6mg
FAQ about dried shiitake mushrooms
Dried shiitake mushrooms have a concentrated taste, giving dishes a extra sturdy umami profile. The drying course of additionally enhances sure taste compounds, making them ultimate for soups, broths, and stews.
Saved correctly in a cool, darkish place and in an hermetic container, dried shiitake mushrooms can last as long as a yr. For optimum taste, it is really helpful to make use of them inside 6-12 months.
Sure! Shiitake mushrooms are a supply of nutritional vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They have been linked to immune system help, and coronary heart well being advantages, and have been utilized in conventional drugs for numerous functions.
Completely! Shiitake mushroom powder is usually a unbelievable umami-rich seasoning. Simply make sure the mushrooms are fully dry earlier than grinding.
Sure, the soaking water is stuffed with taste and can be utilized as a base for soups, stews, or sauces. Simply make sure to pressure it to take away any impurities.
Go for thicker dried shiitake caps, as they rehydrate to a meatier texture. Additionally, guarantee you do not over-soak them; sticking to the really helpful soaking time helps keep an excellent texture.
Afterthought
Dried shiitake mushrooms is usually a beautiful ingredient in your soups and stews. When nicely saved, it may be stored up for 1 yr. Dried shiitake mushrooms, with their profound taste depth and lengthy shelf life, stand as a testomony to the brilliance of conventional preservation strategies. I hope you’ll love this ingredient and make some sensible creations.