If you’re looking for a delicious and healthy tea to drink, look no further than shiitake mushroom tea!
This guide will teach you everything you need to know about shiitake mushrooms and how to make the perfect cup of tea.
Table of Contents
What are Shiitake Mushrooms
You may have seen shiitake mushrooms in your local grocery store and not given them much thought.
But these little brown mushrooms are actually one of the most flavorful and versatile ingredients you can cook with.
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Shiitake Super Food
Shiitakes have a deep, rich flavor that is often described as “umami.”
Plus, they’re packed with nutrients like protein, fiber, and vitamins B and D.
Shiitakes are an excellent source of nutrients.
One cup of cooked shiitakes contains:
- 6 grams of protein
- 3 grams of dietary fiber
- 10% of the Daily Value (DV) for vitamin B6
- 28% of the DV for vitamin B12
- 37% of the DV for copper
- 11% of the DV for selenium
- 54% of the DV for riboflavin
Shiitakes also contain traces of other vitamins and minerals like vitamin D, potassium, niacin, thiamine, and phosphorus.
How to Cook with Shiitake Mushrooms
Shiitakes can be used in a variety of recipes, both as a main ingredient and as a flavoring agent.
They work well in:
- soups
- stews
- casseroles
- stir-fries
- pasta dishes
- rice dishes
- salads
- pizzas
- wraps
- fillings
- and more
You can even use them as a meat alternative in burgers or tacos.
When shopping for shiitakes, look for mushrooms that are firm to the touch with tight caps. Avoid mushrooms that are slimy or have open gills.
Store fresh shiitakes in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use them; they will keep for up to 1 week.
Dried shiitake mushrooms are also available in most grocery stores.
To Rehydrate Dried Mushrooms – Soak them in warm water for 20 minutes before using them in your recipe.
How to Make Shiitake Mushroom Tea
This shiitake mushroom tea recipe is the perfect way to enjoy the delicious and health benefits of shiitake mushrooms.
Ingredients:
- 1 shiitake mushroom
- 3 cups cold water
- 2 cups hot water
Instructions:
- Soak shiitake mushroom in hot water for 20 minutes.
- Remove the shiitake mushroom from the water and discard the stem.
- Slice the shiitake mushroom cap into thin strips.
- Add shiitake mushroom strips and a pinch of salt to boiling water and continue to boil until the liquid has reduced by half.
- Enjoy your delicious shiitake mushroom tea!
If you clean your mushrooms before making tea, you can use the same water you soak your mushrooms in as the water you boil to make the tea.
This cuts down on a dish and you don’t waste water.
Shiitake Mushroom Tea Flavorings
Shiitake mushroom tea will taste more like a broth than a tea.
And just like broths, you can add seasonings, herbs, or other additives to change the taste.
If you don’t like the taste of mushrooms, but still want the benefits of shiitake mushrooms, you can try one of these flavorings:
- Ginger: Ginger has a strong and spicy flavor that can help to mask the taste of shiitake mushrooms. Plus, it has health benefits of its own, like helping to settle an upset stomach.
- Lemon: A squeeze of lemon juice can brighten up the flavor of shiitake mushroom tea.
- Garlic: Garlic is another ingredient that can help to mask the taste of shiitake mushrooms. It also has health benefits, like helping to fight off colds and infections.
- Green onion: Green onion adds a mild onion flavor to shiitake mushroom tea.
- Soy sauce: Soy sauce is a common flavoring agent in Asian cuisine. A little bit can go a long way in terms of flavor, but too much can make your shiitake mushroom tea too salty.
- Honey: Honey is a natural sweetener that can help to offset the earthy taste of shiitake mushrooms.
The Benefits of Drinking Shiitake Mushroom Tea
Drinking shiitake mushroom tea is one of the quickest and easiest ways to get the many health benefits of shiitake mushrooms.
Some of the benefits of drinking shiitake mushroom tea include:
- Boosting your immune system: Shiitake mushrooms are a rich source of antioxidants and polysaccharides, which are known to boost immunity.
- Improving digestion: The fiber in shiitake mushrooms can help to improve digestion and keep you regular.
- Lowering cholesterol: The compounds in shiitake mushrooms have been shown to lower cholesterol levels.
- Reducing inflammation: Shiitake mushrooms contain a compound called lentinan, which is known for its anti-inflammatory properties.
Final Thoughts
Shiitake mushroom tea is a delicious and healthy way to enjoy the benefits of shiitake mushrooms.
The tea can be enjoyed plain, or you can add your favorite flavorings to change the taste. You can also adjust the strength of the tea by adding more or less water.
Drinking shiitake mushroom tea is one of the quickest and easiest ways to get all of the health benefits that shiitake mushrooms have to offer.
So what are you waiting for? Start brewing some shiitake mushroom tea!
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