Shiitake Mushroom Fruiting Block - 5 lbs
Shiitake Mushroom Fruiting Block - 5 lbs

Shiitake Mushroom Fruiting Block - 5 lbs

Sale price$29.95Regular price $34.95
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Grow one of the world’s most beloved culinary mushrooms at home.
Shiitake mushrooms are a global staple prized for their rich, savory flavor, firm texture, and impressive health benefits. Our 5-pound Shiitake Fruiting Block makes it easy to grow this iconic mushroom at home with consistent, rewarding results. Slower-growing than oysters but deeply satisfying, Shiitake mushrooms deliver dense, meaty caps that elevate everything from stir-fries to broths. Watching them slowly emerge and mature is a reminder that some of nature’s best rewards are worth the wait.


Product Details

  • Weight: 5 lbs fully colonized block

  • Expected Yield: ~0.75–1 lb per harvest

  • Number of Harvests: 2–3 flushes

  • Time to Grow: 10–21 days per flush

  • Difficulty: Beginner–Intermediate

  • Best Environment: Use with your Lykyn Smart Grow Chamber


Why We Love Shiitake Mushrooms

Shiitake mushrooms are one of the most widely consumed mushrooms in the world—and for good reason. They’re deeply flavorful, nutritionally dense, and incredibly versatile in the kitchen.

  • Rich Umami Flavor: Shiitakes are known for their bold, savory taste that adds depth to soups, stir-fries, sauces, and broths.

  • Meaty, Satisfying Texture: Thick caps and firm flesh hold up beautifully to cooking, making Shiitakes a favorite meat alternative.

  • Nutrient-Dense & Low Calorie: Shiitakes are low in calories and fat while providing fiber, vitamins, and essential minerals.

  • Rich in Key Nutrients: A great source of B vitamins, copper, selenium, zinc, and potassium.

  • Immune-Supporting Compounds: Shiitakes contain beta-glucans and lentinan, compounds studied for their role in immune system support.

  • A Classic to Grow: Watching Shiitake pins slowly form and mature into dense, cracked caps is a uniquely rewarding growing experience.


Before You Start: Important Preparation Steps

Do not skip this section. Proper preparation is essential for Shiitake success.

1. Let the Block Fully Brown

  • Keep the Shiitake block sealed in its bag at room temperature until the surface of the block is mostly brown.

  • This browning phase (called block maturation) strengthens the mycelium and prepares it to fruit.

  • Depending on the block, this may take several weeks after you receive it.

Do not attempt to fruit a white or lightly browned block.


2. Cold Shock the Block

  • Once the block is mostly brown, place the sealed block in the refrigerator for at least 48 hours.

  • This cold period mimics seasonal changes in nature and signals the block to begin fruiting.


3. (Optional but Recommended) Cold Water Soak

  • After refrigeration, remove the block from the bag.

  • Submerge the block in cold, clean water for 3–4 hours.

  • This rehydrates the block and supports stronger flushes.

After soaking, allow excess water to drain for a few minutes.


Setting Up Your Lykyn Chamber

4. Chamber Setup

  • Fill the humidifier tank with distilled (or RO) water.

  • Place the bare Shiitake block directly inside the chamber.

  • Leave clear space around the block so mushrooms can grow freely and airflow is unobstructed.

Shiitake blocks fruit without a bag. Do not re-bag the block.


5. Initiate Fruiting

  • Replace the chamber top.

  • Open the Lykyn App and select “Shiitake”.

  • The chamber will automatically manage humidity and airflow while minimizing exposure to contamination.

Shiitakes grow more slowly than oysters. Patience is needed.

When It’s Ready to Harvest

Shiitake mushrooms are ready when:

  • Caps are mostly open, but edges are still slightly curled downward

  • Caps feel firm and dry, often with light surface cracking

  • Harvest before caps flatten completely for best texture and flavor


How to Harvest

  • Use a clean, sharp knife

  • Cut mushrooms flush at the base of the stem

  • Avoid twisting or tearing, which can damage the block

Clean cuts help protect the block for future flushes.


Between Flushes & Ongoing Care

  • After harvesting, return the block to the chamber to prevent drying out

  • Shiitake blocks often produce multiple flushes with rest periods in between

  • If needed, a short re-soak can be used between flushes to rehydrate the block


Special Notes & Troubleshooting

  • Shiitake blocks can occasionally develop green mold (Trichoderma)

    • If spotted early, lightly spray affected areas with 3% hydrogen peroxide

  • Always keep tools and hands clean when handling the block

  • Slow growth is normal—Shiitake reward patience with dense, flavorful mushrooms



How to Store

  • Fresh: Store in a paper bag in the refrigerator.

  • Shelf Life: 7–10 days fresh, longer than most oyster mushrooms.

  • Preservation: Shiitakes dry exceptionally well and can be stored dried for months.


Cooking Tips

Shiitake mushrooms are incredibly versatile and develop deep flavor when cooked properly:

  1. Remove tough stems if desired (save them for stock).

  2. Sauté caps over medium heat until golden and slightly crisp.

  3. Finish with soy sauce, garlic, sesame oil, or herbs to enhance their natural umami.

They’re excellent in stir-fries, ramen, risotto, soups, sauces, and plant-based dishes.


Preparing for a Second or Third Flush

  1. After harvesting, remove any remaining mushroom material from the block surface.

  2. Re-soak the block in cold, clean water for 12–24 hours to rehydrate it fully.

  3. Drain well and return the block to your Lykyn Grow Chamber.

  4. Select “Shiitake” again in the app and begin the next growing cycle.