Fungi have an important role in human nutrition. Delicacies include morels, shiitake mushrooms, chanterelles, and truffles.

Cap

The shiitake mushroom is a fungus that usually grows in the forest. The umbrella-shaped cap of the shiitake mushrooms is tan or brown and feels soft and spongy.

Rim

The rim of the cap may have white spots, or the cap may be split, revealing the white inner part of the mushroom. It features white gills on the underside, which produce white spores.

Stem

The stem of the shiitake is 2 to 4-inches tall and white. Translated from Japanese, 'shii', refers to the oak tree on which these mushrooms originally grew, while 'take' simply means mushroom.