Maitake (Hen-of-the-Woods)

Yes, especially the stems. Maitake mushrooms can be chewy, slippery, and challenging for new eaters to break down in their mouths. To reduce the risk, chop the mushrooms before serving. As always, make sure to create a safe eating environment and stay within an arm’s reach of baby during mealtime. For more information, visit our section on gagging and choking and familiarize yourself with common choking hazards.

No. Mushroom allergy is rare, although not unheard of. There have been reports of anaphylaxis, as well as rashes amongst those handling mushrooms. Mushrooms also contain chitin, a common carbohydrate found in crustaceans and insects that may contribute to an allergic response in certain individuals.

Individuals with Oral Allergy Syndrome (also called pollen food allergy syndrome), particularly those sensitive to mold, may also be sensitive to mushrooms. Oral Allergy Syndrome typically results in short-lived itching in the mouth and is unlikely to result in a dangerous reaction. Cooking mushrooms can help minimize and even eliminate the reaction.

Dried mushrooms may be preserved with sulfites. While sulfites are not a common allergen, certain individuals, particularly those with asthma, can have allergy-like reactions to added sulfites.  If sulfites are a concern, avoid ingredients such as sulfur dioxide, potassium bisulfate, potassium metabisulfite, sodium bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite, and sodium sulfite to name a few.

As you would when introducing any new food, start by offering a small quantity for the first few servings. If there is no adverse reaction, gradually increase the amount over future meals.

Yes. Maitake mushrooms are an excellent source of vitamin D (a critical nutrient that is not commonly found in many foods) to help support baby’s bone, immune, and hormone health. They’re also rich in choline, zinc, and fiber, which together bolster baby’s brain, immune, and gut health. Plus, maitake mushrooms may have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-supporting properties.

Avoid maitake supplements for babies and toddlers, including capsules and powders, as their safety has not been adequately researched in infants and young children.

Make sure to buy maitake mushrooms from a reputable source and avoid foraging your own mushrooms unless you are an expert mycologist, as there are many poisonous mushrooms growing in the wild.

Yes, although it is best to eat maitake mushrooms when cooked. Cooking mushrooms helps reduce the risk of foodborne illness, while also making them easier to digest and lowering the choking risk.

Yes. Maitake mushrooms contain fiber and fluid to support the gut microbiome, bulk up poop, and hydrate the intestines. Mushrooms also offer prebiotics, special carbohydrates that help friendly gut bacteria flourish. Introduce high-fiber foods like mushrooms gradually and regularly in baby’s diet as tolerated; a little gassiness or a few blowouts is just a sign that baby’s digestive system is adjusting, so no need to remove the food from the diet. Remember that pooping patterns can vary significantly from baby to baby. If you have concerns about baby’s pooping and digestive function, talk to your pediatric healthcare provider.

Until recently, maitake mushrooms needed to be foraged from forest floors across the northern hemisphere, but cultivated maitake mushrooms are becoming more accessible worldwide. Maitake mushrooms’ feathery appearance and tendency to “nest” at the base of trees explains their name in English: hen of the woods. In Japanese, their name translates to “dancing mushroom,” which some believe refers to the monks who danced with joy on discovering maitake in the wild. While the story may be legend, maitake have long been used in Buddhist ceremonial and culinary applications across East Asia.