The productivity of Shiitake mushrooms drops sharply if they are grown near a polluted city or are exposed to acidic rain, so they can be grown only in clean areas as a fully-pollution-free alkali food. Many farms in Gwangju are producing Shiitake mushrooms thanks to the clean air and clear water of the Paldang area.

The clear waters of Gwangju Paldang Lake are used to cultivate and grow the mushrooms with no pesticides (certified pesticide-free). Natural materials are used, such as sawdust and cotton oil cake, with an automated temperature control system, a ventilation and humidification system, deep groundwater from 110 m underground, and the clear air of the pollution-free area. The automated system enables cost-saving, and the advanced environmental control facility standardizes the production. The mushrooms are not grown over 3 cm in size and are carefully packaged to preserve the heads for the best quality.