They are a good source of B
vitamins, especially niacin and riboflavin, and rank the highest
among vegetables for protein content. But because they are low in
fat and calories, Western nutritionists mistakenly considered them
of no food value (a fresh pound has only about **5 calories). Yet
in dried form, mushrooms have almost as much protein as veal and a
significant amount of complex carbohydrates called polysaccharides.
One of the most valuable mushrooms, both nutritionally and
flavor-wise, is Lentinus edodes, commonly called
shiitake.
