Maitake (Grinfola frondosa)

Grifola frondosa, or Maitake (meaning “Dancing Mushroom”), has been celebrated in Japanese culture for centuries. According to folklore, people danced with joy upon finding it because it was so rare and highly valued, both for its flavor and healing properties. It was once reserved for royalty or highly priced in marketplaces.
Maitake mushrooms have a fleshy interior with a white to cream coloration and a fibrous texture. They emit a pleasant, earthy aroma often described as reminiscent of oak and forest soil. The base of the fruiting body is usually thick and branched, anchoring itself to hardwood trees like oaks. The flesh is soft when young but toughens as it ages.