Purple Gold Shiitake Mushrooms

Zijin Shiitake Mushrooms

　　Heyuan’s Zijin County has vast areas dedicated to shiitake mushroom cultivation. Zijin shiitake mushrooms are delicious, fragrant, and highly nutritious.

Shiitake mushrooms, also known as fragrant mushrooms or winter mushrooms, are a type of fungus that grows on wood. Due to their delicious taste, rich aroma, and high nutritional value, they rank above straw mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, and white mushrooms, and have long been honored as the “Queen of Vegetables.”

Shiitake mushrooms not only possess a uniquely fragrant and delicious flavor but also contain a wealth of beneficial nutrients for the human body. Analysis shows that every 100 grams of fresh shiitake mushrooms contains 12–14 grams of protein, far exceeding the protein content of most plant-based foods; 59.3 grams of carbohydrates, 124 milligrams of calcium, 415 milligrams of phosphorus, and 25.3 milligrams of iron. They also contain polysaccharides, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin C, and more. The water-soluble components of dried shiitake mushrooms include histidine, alanine, phenylalanine, leucine, valine, aspartic acid, asparagine, acetamide, choline, adenine, and other substances. These are not only nutritious, but some also help reduce blood lipids. In recent years, American scientists have discovered that shiitake mushrooms contain a substance called “beta-glucosidase,” which has a significant effect in enhancing the body’s anti-cancer capabilities. As a result, shiitake mushrooms are referred to as the “new soldier in the fight against cancer.”

Shiitake mushrooms are not only a prized dish at the table but have also traditionally been used by the Chinese people as a health supplement to promote longevity. They contain a variety of chemical compounds that help regulate metabolism, aid digestion, lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, prevent liver cirrhosis, eliminate gallstones, and prevent rickets. They are renowned both domestically and internationally as the “Queen of Vegetables” and also enjoy the reputation of being a “health food.” Many countries sell them as health products in pharmacies and supermarkets.