Dried Shiitake Mushrooms, Dried Flower Mushrooms
- Dried shiitake mushrooms are commonly known as Japanese dried mushrooms in wet markets. Most Japanese shiitake mushrooms you find in wet markets are grown in China. It is very difficult to find shiitake mushrooms grown in Japan and it costs three times more than China grown shiitake mushrooms. Hence most stalls carry the China grown shiitake mushrooms.
- Dried shiitake mushrooms are also known as flower mushrooms, due to their blooming flower pattern on the cap of the mushrooms.
- Commonly Known as
- Dried Flower Mushrooms (干花菇)
- Dried Winter Mushrooms (干冬菇),Â
- Dried Fragrance Mushrooms (干香菇).
What can it be used for? Â
Dried shiitake mushrooms are commonly found in Chinese cuisines, as the mushrooms are used to prepare stews, soups, braised dishes, and stir fried dishes.
Preparatory methodsÂ
Preparation is easy, even though time consuming.
- Soak the dried mushrooms in water. The mushrooms tend to float to the surface, hence place another bowl on top to move the mushrooms into the water. Alternatively, you can put the mushrooms into an airtight container with water. Soak the mushrooms overnight.
- Cut off the stems, and slice the mushrooms into your desired size. Slightly squeeze out some water, so that the mushrooms can absorb the flavours of your dish.
How is it sold?Â
SGDried Goods sells dried whole shiitake mushrooms in loose form, so you may choose your desired size and quantity.Â
How to Select Good Quality Dried Mushrooms
Choose mushrooms with round and complete caps.
Avoid mushrooms with chunky stems as these are cut away and discarded.
Take a few mushrooms and give it a sniff. Fresh dried shiitake mushrooms have a strong mushroom smell. Avoid mushrooms which smell sour or are less fragrant.
Lighter mushrooms are preferred over heavier ones of the same size, as the heavier mushrooms may have absorbed the humidity.
Mushrooms with thick caps give a substantial bite when eaten whole.
Avoid pre-packed mushrooms as the packet may contain a mixture of good and bad mushrooms.
Japan grown shiitake mushrooms are of better quality than China grown mushrooms. However, it costs three times more, and the difference may not be noticeable.
Mushrooms with larger and nicer patterns on the caps are of better quality than those with smaller caps.
Avoid buying from stalls or shops where they display the mushrooms in an open packet for you to choose. The mushrooms may have absorbed the humidity and is not fresh.
Avoid pre-sliced mushrooms, as they are prepared using inferior grade mushrooms and mixed with other grades of mushrooms.