Super source
Vitamin D
0.63 μg · 3% DV target
A meaty, umami-rich mushroom prized for its savory depth and velvety texture, shiitake serves as a potent source of bioactive polysaccharides and essential B vitamins.
Shiitake mushrooms contain lentinan and other β-D-glucans (polysaccharides that form part of the fungal cell wall), which are well-established for their ability to strengthen the immune system and are studied for their antitumor properties .211
These mushrooms are a rare non-animal source of vitamin B12, which is essential for red blood cell formation and nerve function; among common mushroom varieties, shiitake typically contains the highest concentrations .10
Shiitake mushrooms naturally contain ergosterol, a precursor that converts to vitamin D2 when exposed to UV light; the gills of the mushroom are particularly efficient at this conversion, producing significantly more vitamin D than the cap or stalk .8
Higher overall mushroom consumption, including shiitake, is consistently linked in large meta-analyses to a lower risk of total cancer and may be associated with improved cardiometabolic health .467
Petal shape shows the nine FoodCompass domains, including nutrient density, processing, satiety, fats, and phytochemicals.
0.63 μg · 3% DV target
0.37 mg · 28% DV target
3.51 mg · 22% DV target
Seasonality has not been estimated for this ingredient yet.
Store in a paper bag to allow for airflow and prevent sliminess.
Do not wash until immediately before use.
Mushrooms have a very low carbon footprint as they are often grown on agricultural byproducts like sawdust.
Shiitake mushrooms are one of the few non-animal food sources that can naturally produce significant amounts of vitamin D when their gills are exposed to sunlight.