There are more than seven reasons to enjoy the yummy Maitake “ Dancing” Mushrooms, but I will start with my top 7. You may have more reasons to share. We all love to eat and dance with more, the merrier. Come celebrate the Maitake
“Dancing” Mushrooms!
1. What is the delicious Maitake "Dancing" Mushroom?
The Maitake mushroom is the Grifola frondosa, a polypore mushroom that grows at the base of trees, particularly oaks. It is also known as the hen-of-the-woods, maitake, ram’s head or sheep’s head. It can be found in late summer to early autumn. It is native to China, Europe, and North America.
“Maitake” means dancing mushroom in Japanese. The mushroom is said to have gotten its name after people danced with happiness upon finding it in the wild, such are its incredible healing properties.
This mushroom is a type of adaptogen. Adaptogens assist the body in fighting against any type of mental or physical difficulty. They also work to regulate systems of the body that have become unbalanced. While this mushroom can be used in recipes for taste alone, it’s considered to be a medicinal mushroom.
The mushroom grows wild in parts of Japan, China, and North America. It grows at the bottom of Oak, Elm, and Maple trees. It can be cultivated and even grown at home, though it typically won’t grow as well as it does in the wild. You can usually find the mushroom during the autumn months.
Although maitake mushroom has been used in Japan and China for thousands of years, it has only gained popularity in the United States over the last twenty years. People are praising this mushroom for its promises of health, vitality, and longevity.
2. The Dancing Maitake Mushroom is delicious, but is it good for your health?
The Maitake mushroom according to the United States Dietary Association, USDA, is good for your body. Just one cup of the diced dancing, hen of the woods, ram’s head or sheep’ head or Maitake mushroom contains only 22 calories! This same serving has ZERO fat, ZERO cholesterol, 4 percent of your daily need of Potassium at 143 mg, 7 percent of your daily need of fiber. For those on the KETO diet, only 4.9 grams of total carbohydrates and 1.4 grams of protein. Maitake mushrooms are rich in:
- antioxidants
- beta-glucans
- vitamins B
- copper
- potassium
- fiber
- minerals
- amino acids
The mushrooms are also:
- fat-free
- low-sodium
- low-calorie
- cholesterol-free
3. What does the delicious dancing Maitake mushroom taste like?
Maitake mushrooms have a wild, feathery look that we adore. Mycopia’s Maitake Frondosa is wonderfully adaptable with a fabulous, forest aroma and a light, crunchy texture. In the wild, maitake can grow into huge heads over a foot in diameter. Gourmet Mushrooms’ small, delicate clusters present the mushroom’s best qualities at the peak of flavor.
The other common name for this variety is Hen-of-the-Woods. Traditionally the Maitake mushroom in Asian cuisine, but its rich versatile flavor also finds complements with roasted meats and chicken, cheeses, dark leafy greens, and hearty grains—Certified Organic by QAI. Maitake is at the top of the list of mushrooms used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and it is one of the better studied mushrooms in modern clinical trials. Maitake Frondosa (and other mushrooms) are functional foods, good sources of micronutrients and active biological compounds that support a healthy immune system.
4. What are some cooking tips for the delicious dancing Maitake mushroom?
One professional chef recommends the following cooking tips: “Both the “leaves” (which are called “bracts”) and the core of the mushroom are edible.
Try pulling apart the Maitake mushroom into little bunches with a part of the core still attached to enhance eye appeal on the plate.
To maintain their textural appeal, put away that knife and simply use your hands to get them into manageable pieces. Starting at the stem, break the cluster into large clumps with some of the core attached (think mushroom florets). From there, tear into smaller pieces before sautéing. (Or grilling. Or searing. Or putting in a sauce.)
5. What health benefits are tied to maitake mushrooms?
Compared to other mushrooms, maitake has shown better results in preventing and treating cancer and other health conditions. Maitake also has a positive effect on overall immunity.
Scientists are currently studying the unique way the mushroom supports overall health and fights illness.
Laboratory research suggests that maitake may be effective in treating certain illnesses. More studies are needed to confirm its effect on humans, but the current findings are promising.
A 2013 study indicates that maitake D-Fraction could be useful in preventing and treating breast cancer. Researchers suggest that this mushroom can fight the growth and reproduction of cancerous cells.
Maitake mushroom has been shown to suppress tumor growth in mice. It can also increase the number of cells fighting against the tumor. This suggests that it could also be effective in managing cancer in humans when taken orally.
An earlier study found maitake D-Fraction, which is an extract, to be efficient in killing human cancer cells. It was taken alongside a protein that also fights cancer and succeeded in increasing the protein’s effectiveness.
Researchers in a 2013 study found that maitake powdered extract lowered cholesterol levels in mice. It was also shown to increase fatty acids that provide energy. Because of this, researchers theorized that eating maitake mushroom may help keep arteries healthy.
The results of a 2015 study showed that maitake mushroom can have a positive effect on rats with type 2 diabetes. During the study, maitake mushroom consumption had a positive effect on glucose levels of rats. This points to the mushroom’s potential to treat type 2 diabetes in humans. Maitake mushroom may also be useful in treating:
- cold and flu viruses
- high or low blood pressure
- immune function
- side effects of chemotherapy
6. How do I add the Dancing Maitake Mushroom to my healthy life?
If you’re using maitake to boost your health, you can add it to any food in which you would normally add mushrooms. It can be added to stir-fry, salad, pasta, pizza, omelets, or soup. You can also fry the mushrooms in butter or grill them. Maitake has a strong, earthy taste, so be sure you enjoy its flavor before adding it to a large amount of food.
If you’re buying maitake fresh, buy it whole to increase its shelf life. Store it in a paper bag in the refrigerator. You may be able to find it dried at some grocery stores. It freezes well, so you can keep it in stock if you are able to find it fresh. You can also freeze it raw
7. How about Crostini with Maitake Mushrooms and Pico De Gallo?
How do french baguettes sliced first and then rubbed with fresh garlic cloves in the oven for two minutes? Then top with your favorite cheese and then thinly sliced Maitake mushroom and pop in the oven for five minutes. Then plate the crostini and add one spoonful of pico de gallo. I like to make my own pico de gallo to adjust the recipe depending on my guests and my garden harvest. Some family members like it hot, some family likes mango pico de gallo and when my heirloom tomatoes are ripe, I love adding them to the pico de gallo.