by
Paul
Benhaimassistance - discuss the making of leaf curd with the experts - see
resource section under Michael Cole.
Magic
Mushrooms
Why Shiitake?
The French describes shiitake mushrooms as the 'fragrant'
mushrooms with distinct flavour and texture. Mostly found in
health stores as dried, they are nearly as nutritious as their fresh
counterpart. Once reconstituted, dried shiitakes have the ability to
absorb your cooking sauce and dramatically enhance the flavour
of your favourite recipes. Making an excellent meat-substitution
they can be eaten raw.
Shiitake has an alkali effect, so helps to neutralise the acid
conditions of the problem that plagues modern man. Shiitake has
an anti viral effect caused by the production of interferon and
lowers cholesterol and blood pressure. Even the 80% fibre of
'Chitin' is the same as the aphrodisiac source of 'rhino horn'. High
in fibre, enzymes, anti-oxidants, contains vitamins Bl, B2, B6, B12,
C and D2, with lots of riboflavin and niacin. Mushrooms aid the
digestive process.
How
to
grow
Shiitake
To grow shiitake on logs you need shiitake 'spawn' (the Vegetative
mushroom mycelium, the spore is hard to grow on). You need
fresh cut, disease free, clean hard wood logs such as oak, beech
or birch although most hard woods are suitable. However, it is
best to avoid woods like yew and laburnum as they are poisons.
The log should have no bark damage and are best when straight,
for ease of handling. A sixth of the weight of the log converts to