Shiitake Mushrooms Block Kit

Shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) are instantly recognizable for their umbrella shaped brown caps and rich, woodsy aroma. Prized for centuries in Asian cooking, they’ve become a worldwide favorite thanks to their deep umami flavor and meaty texture.

In the kitchen, Shiitakes are endlessly versatile they sauté beautifully, roast to perfection, and add incredible flavor to soups, stir-fries, risottos, and sauces. They also dry well, becoming even more intensely flavored when rehydrated.

With this kit, you can enjoy fresh, homegrown Shiitakes without needing a forest or logs everything is contained in one easy block.

What’s Included:

1. A fully colonized Shiitake mushroom grow block, ready to fruit
2. Step-by-step beginner-friendly instructions
   

Timeline and Growth Cycle of Shiitake Mushrooms

1. Spore germination – begins at week 0.

2. Mycelium colonization – develops steadily over 4–6 weeks.

3. Resting/maturation phase – Shiitake blocks often benefit from a short “rest” period to build energy for fruiting.

4. Primordia (pinhead) formation – usually appears around weeks 6–8.

5. Young fruiting bodies – small brown caps with thick stems form by weeks 7–9.

6. Mature fruiting bodies – ready to harvest between weeks 8–10, once caps flatten and edges curl slightly.

7. Spore release – occurs after maturity; harvest just beforehand for the best flavor and texture.