19. MAITAKE

Maitake are popular mushrooms packed with aroma and umami. Their uniquely firm texture is perfect for tempura and stir-fried dishes. The development of cultivation technology has taken the once elusive variety from the depths of the wild to local shops, all year round and at affordable prices. Visit a mountain farm outside Tokyo to see how they're grown using natural spring water, then feed your appetite at a French restaurant specializing in mushroom dishes.