DRIED SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS / All-Oita

Dried shiitake mushrooms are a preserved food made by drying fresh shiitake mushrooms. They become tender and fluffy when rehydrated in water, bringing out their distinctive aroma and rich umami flavour. They also play a key role in Japanese cooking due to their use in dashi (soup stock). In particular, Oita–grown shiitake branded products are well–known for their quality, and are a bestseller, boasting the highest production rate in Japan. Shiitake mushrooms have been cultivated here for about 400 years, and even today, they are primarily cultivated through traditional ‘log cultivation’ methods. They are grown slowly from seeds planted in sawtooth oak logs, resulting in large, meaty and fragrant shiitake mushrooms.

Dried shiitake mushrooms are a common ingredient in Oita households. They play a strong supporting role in increasing the depth of local cuisine, through their use in dashi added to seasoned rice and stewed dishes. It is also popular to rehydrate and grill whole dried shiitake mushrooms, dipping them in soy sauce as a simple treat. For Oita locals, dried shiitake mushrooms are not merely a cooking ingredient but a beautiful addition to the daily dining table. The more you chew them, the more umami they give out, emulating the depth of Oita’s culinary culture.