How Japan's Priciest Shiitake Mushrooms Fuel A $740 Million Global Shiitake Industry | So Expensive

Japan is one of the leading producers of shiitake mushrooms. These mushrooms are notoriously difficult to cultivate on a commercial scale — especially when using the 1,000-year-old Japanese technique of wood-grown mushrooms. In the US, indoor-grown shiitake sells for upwards of $8 per pound, while forest-grown shiitakes have commanded a much higher price, up to $18 per pound. The most premium shiitake mushrooms are called white flower shiitake, and the forest-grown versions can sell for over $160 per pound. White flower shiitakes have noticeable white cracks on the caps and a strong flavor, but even just a few drops of rain can ruin them completely. Here's why forest-grown shiitake mushrooms are so expensive.

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00:00 - Intro
01:15 - Inoculation
02:58 - Mushroom Hierarchy
04:28 - Challenges
05:28 - Artificial Log Yard
07:02 - Sorting And Drying
09:36 - Shiitake Market
10:31 - Third Kingdom
12:28 - Credits

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How Japan's Priciest Shiitake Mushrooms Fuel The $740 Million Global Shiitake Industry

[wasabigrowersuk]

A great insight into what makes these shiitake so amazing. Wonderful to see Kaz at Sugimoto sharing his expertise and many years of experience to explain why these shiitake really are the best money can buy!

[mckdgz]

I love shiitake mushrooms esp. when mixed for the broth of ramen. It has a the most unique delicious fragrance that one can easily tell that it's shiitake by smelling it.

[K]

I eat them on a weekly basis but never knew they were produced like that!

[KL-unsf]

Man I love mushrooms so much I’m hungry af now

[idealconceptdesigntech]

I will like to feel what it taste like. I have never been to Japan. I heard it is an amazing place with varieties of dishes

[JaimeRodriguez-okom]

0:24 why did I think it was weed at first in the bag 😂😂

[knpark]

When people didn't know how to make shiitake grow artificially from rows of logs, it was just as rare and sought after as matsutake, the current king of the hill. Figuring out how to cultivate shiitake in this fashion was almost as if Europeans were to find how to mass-produce truffles from a pine tree in a planter. Now, anyone in East Asia can find a bag of cheap dried shiitake from their local groceries, and I put them in my ramyeon by the fistful.

[RyanL]

Mushrooms are so crazy -- the science behind it and such. Give me any mushroom and sauté it in some butter and oil and it's one of the best things to eat.

[Graciaplena]

Yes, mam!! Steak and mushrooms are delightful

[bornyokel]

I want also grow that mushroom here in the philippine forest..

[fidelcatsro]

The top four mushrooms you need to know about and their benefits:
1. Reishi mushrooms
• May help reduce anxiety and stress
• May help promote better sleep

2. Lion’s mane mushrooms
• May help support cognitive function
• May help repair and regenerate nerve tissue and the myelin sheath around the nerves
• May help support nerve growth
• May help increase BDNF

3. Shiitake mushrooms
• May help support healthy blood pressure
• May help support healthy cholesterol levels
• May help promote a healthy gut microbiome
• May help increase killer T cells

4. Turkey tail mushrooms
• May have anticancer properties
• May help strengthen the immune system
• May help reduce inflammation

[matthewn]

does anyone know what the old ladies little white truck is? im obsessed with the sound it makes

[travelwithlily]

These mushrooms, cherished for their rich flavor and exceptional quality, are cultivated with meticulous care and traditional techniques that have been passed down through generations. The dedication of Japanese farmers, coupled with the unique climate and environment, results in shiitake mushrooms that are highly sought after by chefs and food enthusiasts worldwide. This story is a testament to the passion and craftsmanship that elevate a humble fungus into a gourmet delicacy, showcasing the profound impact of Japan's culinary heritage on the global stage.

[smheglb]

Dried mushrooms make a tasty snack!
Try it guys

[Boyetto-san]

You can tell that the narrator is trying very deliberately to pronounce shiitake closer to the Japanese intonations, presumably to avoid the Austin Powers gag.

[-highfly-]

Can't see anything shitake mushroom related without immediately thinking of Austin Powers

[ggmontageai]

Le goût de cèpes à petit prix, un champignon incroyable. Je vous le recommande avec une persillade. Couper les en lamelles et commencer la cuisson sans matière grasse, vos invités n'y verront que du feu.

[anonymousreviewer]

i'm in love with the narrator.. who is she?

[DuygusalKasap]

rest of the world: i need to eat to keep myself alive
japan: i have a very very specific fetish for back breaking laborous processes for everything

[Megadebt]

Thank you for finally pronouncing it correctly and stopping idiots from making bad jokes.