Mushrooms are rich in vitamin C, kalium and cellulose and they are known to be good for cardiovascular disease. Easting fresh mushrooms regularly also helps reduce symptoms of diabetes and obesity. 

Mushrooms are high protein low calorie food which makes it one of the best diet foods. They have abundant minerals like vegetables and fruits and they are called vegetable steak in the west for this reason. Water consists 80 to 90% of mushrooms and the FDA listed them in the 10 anti-cancer foods. 

Among many mushrooms, shiitake is one of the most commonly eaten by Koreans. Talking of shiitake, Geoje shiitake cannot be missed to mention as it was served on the royal table back in the days. The Korean ancient medicine book Donguibogam records that shiitake helps stop vomiting and diarrhea. Other benefits include preventing rachitis, anemia, constipation and osteoporosis. 

Located on a 20,000m² land in Dongbu-myeon, Geoje City, Geoje Dawoom CEO farmer couple Dongheok Lee and Mihae Gwon are growing shiitake mushrooms in a natural way. The shiitake mushrooms growing there are pesticide-free and harvested in spring and autumn. The taste and smell are great and residents call them ‘beef from mountain’ for excellent texture. It is no wonder they were served on the royal table. 

“You can eat them straight by shaking off the dust because they are that fresh and organic. As they are grown on oak, the nutrients of oak is naturally melted in the mushroom and it is one of the reasons they have excellent taste and smell” says the couple. 

Apart from raw shiitake, the couple make them into various products including tea. The Geoje shiitake tea is the first in its kind in the city and it is highly sought after by women for a diet tea. The tea was aired on KBS 2TV and supplied to the Blue House as a Thanksgiving Holiday gift. 

The couple moved to Geoje from Gimhae following Lee’s job relocation to shipyard in this coastal city. As the industry went recession, Lee decided to take a new career and visited the local agricultural center. It was the start of the couple’s farmer’s career. 

As the business is settled, the couple is now working to expand the product lines to shiitake dumpling and noodle in addition to the tea through the automated farming, cultivation, processing and distribution system. <PowerKorea>