Maitake

Somehow in all of the articles I’ve written on foraging, this is the first one I’ve written on a mushroom!

I’m very pleased to introduce you to one of my favorite wild mushrooms (and potentially one of the more underrated ones) today!

Let’s take a look at maitake aka “hen-of-the-woods” (not to be confused with “chicken-of-the-forest"):

Fungi Profile:

Scientific Name: Grifola frondosa

Preferred Habitat: Dead trees, especially oak, beech, chestnut, maple, and elm.

Distribution: In North America you will generally find this mushroom in the Midwest and along the East Coast of the United States.

Harvest Season: Early September to late October in most places

Key Identifiers: Dense clustered growth with creamy white PORES on the underside. The top sides are typically gray to light brown. The “fronds” typically grow in a rosette-like formation around a single stem point. Flesh doesn’t change color when cut.

Toxic Look-Alikes: Black-staining polypore (Meripilus sumstinei) looks remarkably similar but is not dangerous to eat (only unpleasant when older). However, black-staining polypore has pores on the underside that stain black or dark colored when you press your finger into it. Maitake pores will remain mostly white. Black-staining polypore is also edible when young!

Maitake could also perhaps be confused with members of the Trametes genus (many of which are medicinal, the only visually similar ones are not toxic), however these fungi are generally mush smaller and grow as brackets rather than fronds coming from a single stem in a cluster.

Overall, this mushroom can be hard to spot but is easy to identify!

Nutrition: (Per 100g)

• Calories 31

• Carbs 6.97g

• Fiber 270g

• Sugars 2.07g

• Fat 0.19

• Protein 1.94

• Vitamin D 140% of DV

• Vitamin B6 4% of DV

• Vitamin B5 5% of DV

• Vitamin B3 41% of DV

• Vitamin B2 18% of DV

• Vitamin B1 13% of DV

• Choline 9% of DV

• Folate 5% of DV

• Copper 28% of DV

• Zinc 7% of DV

• Phosphorus 6% of DV

• Potassium 4% of DV

• Selenium 4% of DV

• Manganese 3% of DV

• Magnesium 2% of DV

• Iron 2% of DV

Also has strong cancer-fighting potential, helps fight viral infections, and promotes collagen production.

Uses

This mushroom is an absolute powerhouse of nutrition!

Unlike most fungi, it is classed as both a medicinal and culinary mushroom.

Maitake has a decent earthy/mushroom flavor and scent, but it is less intense than something like shiitake. The texture is soft and pleasant, and somewhat like chicken. The flavor is mild, but it is great at absorbing other flavors when cooked.

You can use maitake as a replacement for any other mushroom, or as a jerky substitute, cooked like a steak, fried, or seared and seasoned.

I personally enjoy it in soups and broths!

Maitake is one of the most pleasant mushrooms to eat in my opinion because it has a nice taste, and the texture is very appealing (though hard to describe). I also recommend dehydrating them if you find a large cluster!

Growth Habits

As stated above, this mushroom is found on old dead hardwood. My go-to spot is actually at the base of a fallen beech tree where it reliably produces a few massive clusters each year for me (which is plenty for my needs).

They tend to grow from a single “stem” and then branch out into large clusters that can reach over 16in in diameter!

I tend to start keeping an eye on my patch in early October since it’s usually ready by the third or fourth week of the month and that way it’s easier to spot any new patches that have cropped up since it’s whiter when young.

They can be hard to find when you first go hunting, but once you find a patch they will produce for several years at a time!

Additional Information

Maitake is also called “sheep’s head” or “hen-of-the-woods” (again, different than “chicken-of-the-forest” another gourmet mushroom).

The word “Maitake” actually means “dancing mushroom” in Japanese. This is thought to refer to the reaction most people had to finding the mushroom in the woods! (ie they would dance for joy!)

Cultivating Maitake

While not as easy as oysters or winecaps, maitake can be cultivated without much effort!

I have not done this part myself yet, so I will refer you to this article by Field and Forest Products. I do highly recommend them as a brand for all your mushroom needs and supplies!

F&FP Maitake spawn

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