Maitake Mushroom Benefits (and Why You Need It!)

Fun reality: I’ve an entire basket of mushroom coffees and drinks on my espresso bar. One of the powerhouse mushrooms you’ll discover in there may be maitake. 

This humble mushroom can be known as “hen of the woods.” Its overlapping fronds resemble the feathers of a nesting hen, therefore the title. Over the centuries, maitake’s many advantages have sparked the curiosity of researchers and health fanatics alike. Not solely is it a medicinal mushroom, however its scrumptious umami taste makes it a prized culinary ingredient. 

What Are Maitake Mushrooms?  

The maitake mushroom, also referred to as Grifola frondosa, is an edible mushroom native to China. It additionally grows within the mountains of northeastern Japan, Europe, North America, and different components of Asia. Besides hen of the woods, one other widespread title for this mushroom is “sheep’s head.”

“Maitake” means dancing mushroom in Japanese. The title supposedly comes from individuals dancing for pleasure upon discovering it. People have recognized for hundreds of years how helpful the sort of mushroom is. It’s one of many mushroom varieties thought of a “medicinal mushroom.” Maitake has an extended historical past of each culinary and medicinal use: “Let food be thy medicine.”

Nutrients in Maitake Mushrooms

Maitake mushrooms are a superb supply of amino acids, B nutritional vitamins, vitamin D, phosphorus, and potassium. They additionally present dietary fiber to feed helpful intestine micro organism. Their cell partitions are wealthy in anti-inflammatory beta-glucans that assist help the immune system.