Maitake Mushrooms
 
Maitake, meaning "dancing mushroom" in Japanese, is named for the joyful reaction people would have upon finding this prized mushroom in the wild—often dancing with excitement! Renowned for both its delicious flavor and its potential medicinal benefits, Maitake is a beloved mushroom in Japan and China.
 
Maitake mushrooms grow in clusters, with flattened brown caps and delicate white edges. Their nickname, "hen of the woods," comes from the resemblance of the ruffled clusters to a hen’s feathers, making them easy to identify.
 
With an earthy, peppery taste, Maitake mushrooms shine when broken into small pieces (around 2-3 cm) and sautéed over high heat in butter, allowing their rich flavor and satisfying texture to truly come to life.