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Spring Shiitake Mushrooms: Choose Closed Caps for Best Flavor and Texture
Mushrooms in Season During Spring, 'Spring Shiitake' Harvest Increases
Mushrooms, commonly known as an autumn delicacy, are actually in season during spring as well. In Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, auctions for spring matsutake mushrooms were held, with one piece fetching approximately 100,000 yen, indicating high demand. According to JA, shiitake mushrooms and others are harvested in large quantities not only in autumn but also in spring, making it an opportune time to purchase them. Hideki Takahashi, owner of Friend Shop Takahashi, expressed his desire to offer spring matsutake to those who missed out on autumn harvests.
How to Choose Delicious Shiitake Mushrooms: Cap Condition is Key
When buying shiitake mushrooms, which should you choose: those with open caps or closed caps? According to expert advice, it is better to select mushrooms with closed caps. Hiromichi Akiba, president of Akidai, recommended choosing shiitake mushrooms with a domed (closed) cap. He explained that mushrooms with open caps tend to open over time, so those with closed caps are harvested at the optimal time, resulting in thicker flesh and better flavor. He added that thicker mushrooms are perceived as more delicious when eaten.
*Source: YouTube: ANNnewsCH (2026-04-15)*
