Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) are the mushrooms that the Chinese affectionately named “Xiang-gu” (or “Shiang-gu”), “the fragrant mushrooms”. They are a treasured and traditional delicacy at dinner tables in China, Japan, and Korea. These favorite mushrooms from the Orient are not only delicious and nutritious food with great flavor and an enticing aroma, but they also contain a material well-known for its medicinal benefits.