16. Shiitake: Lentinula edodes

If you've read the blog before, you'll have noticed that we taught you about the qualities of shiitake mushrooms and many other things about mushrooms. Now it's time to learn about this mushroom's classification within the Fungi Kingdom and the characteristics that make it unique. Let's look at its taxonomy, leading up to the species itself: Lentinula edodes .

Kingdom ⇒ Fungi

Edge ⇒ Basidiomycota

Class ⇒ Agaricomycetes

Order ⇒ Agaricales

Family ⇒ Omphalotaceae

Genus ⇒ Lentinula

Epithet ⇒ edodes

Species (Genus + Epithet) ⇒ Lentinula edodes

At Fungeat, we have three different mushroom coffees: Lion's Mane, Shiitake, and Maitake. These three share the Kingdom up to their Class. However, each branch out from the Order, thus differentiating themselves based on their traits and functions. So, recalling the previous blog about Lion's Mane, we know that the Phylum Basidiomycota refers to the way fungi reproduce through basidiospores. Then, the Class Agaricomycetes refers to the type of fungus, where species with visible fruiting bodies predominate and which play a role in the environment primarily as decomposers.

Now, let's see what distinguishes Shiitake within the hierarchy that follows the Class, that is, we continue with the Order Agaricales, it is characterized by the cap shape of the mushroom that has a hymenophore in the form of blades, that is, the structure of the hymenium where the spores are released. On the other hand, this order says that there may be varieties that grow in soil and wood or in conjunction with other plants. The Omphalotaceae family includes fungi that have a fleshy and showy fruiting body with a flat or convex cap with umbos (protuberance in the center) and the blades of this family can be joined or descend along the stem, which can vary in size and shape.

Next, we have the Lentinula genus, which generally has a fleshy, brown cap that may have scales depending on its age. The gills are white to brown (as it ages) and may be close together or somewhat separated (adnate or subdecurrent), and the stem is usually central, robust, and fibrous. And so we find the epithet "edodes," which distinguishes Shiitake from other mushrooms of the same genus. Thus, we conclude with the species Lentinula edodes, whose cap can measure between 5-25 cm in diameter and is rather brown on the visible side and has creamy gills. It can be found on tree trunks or stumps. It is an edible mushroom that has been widely used in Asia, but its consumption has expanded worldwide due to its significant health benefits.

This is a closer look at what shiitake is, and if you've made it this far, you'll know it's present in our Fungeat coffee. So take advantage of its benefits and continue expanding your knowledge of the Fungi Kingdom and becoming a mushroom scholar.