11/17/2022
A little history and folklore…
The earliest known record of Shiitake cultivation dates back to 1209, during the Song Dynasty in China.
This makes it the oldest known cultivated mushroom.
The name Shiitake comes from the Japanese “Shii”, the name of the tree it grew on, and “Take”, for mushroom.
In Chinese culture, the Shiitake Mushroom, is called as “Shanku” & “Dongo”.
According to a Chinese legend, around 5,000 years ago, a deity, Shennong bestowed the world with natural treasures including medicinal mushrooms.
This laid the foundation for the conceptual framework of Chinese medicine based on super foods and acupuncture.
Tapestries and Chinese manuscripts depict deities holding several species of medicinal mushroom, including the Shiitake, which finds applications in Chinese culture as an aphrodisiac and a promoter of youthfulness and virility.
Logs inoculated during a child’s birth would mature with him till he attains manhood, and inherit the ‘fortune’ in his backyard.
Thus, the shiitake was a prized possession, and people went to the extent of robbing them from one another, leading to what was known as a “Shiitake War”.
This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to unveil the Magic of Mushrooms…
We are very proud to be able to bring to our community this cherished mushroom for you to enjoy.
Hope you find this infos as interesting as it was for us to research!
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