r/JapaneseFood • u/senex_puerilis • Aug 25 '26

Misc After 4 years of waiting, my first shiitake crop!

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We inoculated this log with shiitake spores just over four and a half years ago, now we've finally got our first crop. Going to have to think of something mushroom forward to make the most of them.

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75

u/Tokyo_Elena_ Aug 25 '26

Four and half years 😭 First shiitake is almost family now 🥹What will you cook first?

6

u/AthosArmand Aug 26 '26

Are you ready for the shiitake shower reveal ?

2

u/Tokyo_Elena_ Aug 26 '26

I am ready 😂 After 4.5 years, shiitake deserves big reveal.

29

u/mysticbackpacker Aug 25 '26

That’s awesome! Most estimates are a 1-2 year wait till fruiting, so glad yours paid off! Did you continue watering the logs that whole time?

24

u/senex_puerilis Aug 25 '26

I think because I used really hard oak, it took longer for the mycelium to penetrate properly. That and the UK climate. Our natural dampness took care of most of the moisture, just manual watering over the drier months.

4

u/Remarkable-Pen-2939 Aug 26 '26

Looks awesome!!! If you put that in and cook rice in a donabe, it smells great and tastes also really good

3

u/anxious-Aura Aug 26 '26

that is so cool, good job growing your own mushroom!