Oak sawdust, a waste product in many American forests, is an excellent substance for shiitake mushrooms. Much of this valuable resource is burned each year. For East Asian farmers, mushroom production is an important part of their sustainable agriculture system. Not only do mushrooms provide food, but mushroom waste can be recycled into fertilizers and additives that improve tree plantation soil conditions. Besides their diverse and interesting culinary uses, mushrooms have nutritional and medicinal value.
Some mushrooms contain cancer-fighting properties and some aid the body's immune system.
Shiitake mushrooms and other fungi are good sources of protein, vitamins, and minerals. He considers shiitake nutritionally more valuable than the western staples corn, turnips, potatoes, tomatoes, and carrots. Although they have less protein than meat, the amount is comparable to peas and green beans. Edible mushroom varieties The Chinese have cultivated mushrooms for centuries. Only about 10 species can be commercially mass grown because of the genetic difficulties in artificial growing.