Shiitake, also known as oak, golden, Chinese, or black forest mushrooms, is a delicious edible fungus which can be found widely distributed in the forests and grocery stores of the world. In addition to being found in the wild, shiitake is also heavily cultivated for sale in both fresh and dried forms. Shiitake contains polysaccharides (alpha-/beta-homo- and heteroglycans), proteins, nucleic acids, trace minerals, vitamins and provitamins , polyphenolic compounds, and other secondary plant metabolites.