Mushrooms have been treasured throughout the Orient for centuries for preserving health, curing disease, and maintaining vitality. Maitake (Grifola frondosa) are considered the king of mushrooms because they are not only a scientifically proven potent medicinal food, they are also a prized culinary delicacy.
In traditional Japan, where wild maitake often grew to be one hundred pounds, they were considered premier mushrooms. Maitake literally means "dancing mushroom" in Japanese, because people who found it deep in the mountains began dancing with joy.
