Japanese Food Tips

There are many kinds of Japanese mushrooms (kinoko) available in supermarkets in Japan. Shiitake, enoki, shimeji, maitake and eringi (king trumpet mushroom) are the most popular and are almost always sold in supermarkets. Button mushrooms, which are popular in western countries, however, are not always available. Japanese mushrooms are delicious as ingredients in such dishes as soups, and stir-fried and one-pot dishes. They are low in calories, contain water-soluble dietary fiber and various kinds of minerals, and are also good for beauty and health. Because over 90% are cultivated inside, the price does not fluctuate very much throughout the year, which is another reason for their popularity. Depending on the type of mushroom, it is possible to have 4 to 8 harvests distributed throughout the year. If you see Japanese mushrooms in your market, please try them.