Dried mushrooms

Dried mushrooms

　　Dried mushrooms are high-quality dried vegetables that can be rehydrated to prepare delicious dishes, offering nutritional value comparable to fresh mushrooms. When soaking dried shiitake mushrooms, avoid cold water—use 60°C warm water instead. At this temperature, the ribonucleic acid in shiitake mushrooms is easily hydrolyzed into guanylic acid, which imparts a savory flavor. The soaking water also contains umami and should not be discarded; it can be clarified and used for making soup.

When selecting mushrooms, choose varieties with elastic, firm, and glossy surfaces. For making soups, dried slices (dried mushrooms) are the best option. For eating, opt for both dried and fresh mushrooms, and try to avoid pickled mushrooms as they are most prone to adulteration. Never consume sticky or stringy spoiled mushrooms.