Their colour ranges from woody brown to tawny white, becoming paler as it matures. Shimeji have a delicate, sweet flesh with a nutty flavour, and are suitable for stirfrying and panfrying. They grow, and are sold, in clumps, and must be separated from the base before using.
Mushrooms can be left in their packaging for up to three days in the crisper section of the refrigerator. Loose mushrooms should be stored similarly in paper bags.