Shiitake Mushrooms Delivery or Pickup

Shiitake mushrooms are edible mushrooms native to East Asia. The name Shiitake comes from the Japanese words "shii" and "take." "Shii" references the trees on which the mushroom grows, while "take" means mushroom. Shiitake mushrooms grow on the dead logs of deciduous trees like chestnut, oak, beech, sweetgum, poplar, ironwood, mulberry, maple, and more. Some people refer to them as sawtooth oak mushrooms, black forest mushrooms, golden oak mushrooms, black mushrooms, or oakwood mushrooms, but these names are far less common.

Before 1982, the Japanese government restricted growing shiitake mushrooms to specific areas and only allowed farmers to use ancient growing techniques. Yet, the popularity of the shiitake mushroom and the ease with which you can cultivate it led to its widespread production worldwide. Today, the shiitake mushroom accounts for 25% of the total annual production of mushrooms in the world. Growers create conditions similar to the shiitake mushroom's natural environment, either by using artificial surfaces or actual hardwood logs.

Shiitake mushrooms have a robust and earthy "umami" flavor. Umami is a savory, fatty flavor often associated with broths and meats. The taste of umami comes from the amino acid glutamate, of which the shiitake mushroom has plenty. Shiitake caps have a meaty texture when cooked. The stems are tough unless cooked enough, at which point they become pleasantly chewy.

You want to find shiitake mushrooms with thick caps that are domed and curled under. These features are signs of freshness. Slimy, wet, or shriveled shiitakes are old, and you should avoid buying them. You can find shiitake mushrooms sold by the pint, quart, or even large boxes for commercial use. Some grocers sell them by the pound, which gives you the most choice. 

When buying a package of shiitake mushrooms, the plastic wrap prevents you from seeing what's beneath the top layer of mushrooms. You'll often see a little dirt on mushrooms as they grow in the earth or on logs. Any signs of moisture inside the plastic wrap can indicate that the mushrooms are either old or have been otherwise penetrated by water. Water will hasten the decay of your mushrooms, so finding a dry package would be best.

Some grocers slice shiitake mushrooms before packaging them as a convenience to customers. This practice has its benefits for those with little preparation time or who lack knife skills. Sliced shiitake mushrooms tend to spoil faster, so only select sliced mushrooms if you plan on using them in the next 24 to 48 hours.

You can also find dried shiitake mushrooms. When dried, the shiitake mushroom gets packaged in a sealed container or bag. They will have a shriveled appearance like all dried fruits and vegetables. You should check the sell-by date when purchasing dried shiitake mushrooms as this provides the only indication of freshness.

Never wash your mushrooms until you're ready to eat them. It would be best to keep them in the refrigerator, where they will last around a week. If you've purchased loose shiitake mushrooms, you can put them in a zip-lock bag or a bowl loosely covered by a damp towel.

The Instacart app can save you time when shopping for shiitake mushrooms. All you need to do is add the shiitake mushrooms to your cart and check out. After checkout, an Instacart shopper will prepare your order. Your order may be ready for in-store pick-up in as little as 2 hours! In some instances, your order could qualify for same-day home delivery.