Porcini vs Shiitake – Better Choice?

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Who does not love mushrooms in their pasta, sandwiches, soups, or enjoy a hot serving of mushroom gravy? Many people have a special liking for mushrooms. Mushrooms are easily available all around the world in fresh or dried form with a wide variety of unique types. They are edible fungi produced above ground, on soil, or its food source.

Porcini and Shiitake are also a part of the mushroom variety available worldwide because of their demand. Both have a unique taste and are amazing. But many people confuse the two types of mushrooms even though they are quite different from one another. Here is everything you need to know about them.

Porcini vs Shiitake

Porcini 

Porcini mushrooms are found predominantly in Italy. Although porcini mushrooms are hard to find in a fresh form in the US, they are easily available in dried form all over the world. These mushrooms are highly expensive because they are mainly used in many luxurious Italian and French cuisines. However, dried porcini mushrooms are usually less expensive compared to their fresher ones.

People love eating these mushrooms/porcini mushrooms, not to mention the fact that they can be eaten fresh as well.. Porcini Mushrooms can also be used in making pasta, tacos, risottos, sandwiches, and burgers.

Porcini mushrooms are brown-capped mushrooms with thick, white stalks. These stalks can vary in size ranging from an inch to nearly a foot. The cap is concave when young which gives that young mushroom look and requires no prep other than a thorough cleaning. 

To use the dried version of the mushroom, soak the mushroom in warm water for about 20 to 30 minutes or until the mushroom has expanded in size. Filter the water and save it for later to be used in broth or gravy to intensify the flavor.

On the other hand, when using a fresh mushroom, it is recommended that you should not wash the mushroom or soak it in the water as this would cause the delicate mushroom to deteriorate before cooking. Instead, what you can do is clean the mushroom thoroughly by using a damp towel. 

Porcini mushroom has a quite earthy and nutty flavor, with the addition of meatiness in the flavor and has a chewy and succulent texture. 

Shiitake

Shiitake mushrooms are available worldwide and are prized for their flavor, texture, and diverse health benefits. They are also known as black forest mushrooms. These mushrooms are usually cheap and affordable. They have an amazingly strong meaty flavor and their smokey texture makes them a go-to mushroom for everyone. Even though these mushrooms are cultivated but still have a wild mushroom flavor.

They are hands down the best fit for Asian cuisines. Other than that, they are also consumed in making pasta with an Asian twist, or to make mushroom gravy and soup. Their soup is extremely healthy as it adds many required nutrients and vitamins to your diet. They may help fight cancer, boost immunity, and support heart health by fighting against heart-related problems. These mushrooms play a significant role in the field of medicine.

They have thick brown caps ridged with white lines. Their caps range from 2 to 4 inches. The stems are woody and hard, so it is preferred to trim them off and discard them after soaking. When cooking such mushrooms, their stems need to be removed as they are too hard to eat. 

Comparing Porcini vs Shiitake

1. Porcini is more expensive than shiitake mushrooms.
2. Shiitake mushrooms are much healthier than porcini mushrooms.
3. Shiitake mushroom has a stronger meaty flavor than porcini mushroom.
4. Shiitake mushrooms are less earthy in flavor than porcini mushrooms.
5. The stems of shiitake are non-edible whereas porcini mushrooms have edible stems.
6. Porcini mushrooms are longer than shiitake mushrooms.
7. Shiitake mushrooms have a deep brown cap with a white stripes-like structure on it. On the contrary, porcini mushrooms have a brown cap.
8. Porcini are mostly grown in Italy while shiitake mushrooms grow frequently in Japan.
9. Porcini mushrooms are used in Italian and French dishes while shiitake mushrooms are mostly used in Asian dishes.

The Bottom Line

Both types of mushrooms have their pros and cons. Both are healthy and good for your diet. However, shiitake can be used as a subsequent for porcini mushrooms for those who cannot afford it or if they prefer a meatier flavor. Lastly, it is up to you to decide which mushroom you like the most.