Shiitake mushrooms are great for flavoring many many dishes.  They are sometimes also known as shiang-gu mushrooms, oak mushrooms, black forest mushrooms, black mushrooms, or just forest mushrooms.   They have a rich, almost buttery flavor, which is not like other mushroom varieties.  When they are dried, the flavor concentrates, and has a smoky hint to it.  The texture of the shiitake is also different from most other mushrooms.  It has a much lower water content which accounts for its density, and chewy texture, as well as the intense flavor.

Shiitakes are best when grown on a tree, or log, and not More >