Wood Ear Mushroom

Name: Wood ear mushroom, also called Jew's ear or mu er (Auricularia auricula-judae) — a brown, ear-shaped, rubbery, jelly-like fungus that grows on dead wood, mostly elder. The related black fungus or cloud ear is described on its own page.

Description

Wood ear grows wild across Europe, Asia and North America, and has been eaten in China for thousands of years. The Latin name auricula-judae, or “Judas's ear,” comes from the legend that Judas Iscariot hanged himself on an elder tree, and this fungus is said to be his ear. It is now more often called wood ear or jelly ear.

Wood ear has little flavour but a unique texture, gelatinous and slightly crunchy, which absorbs the flavours of sauces and broths. Dried wood ear swells dramatically when soaked, and is a classic ingredient in Chinese hot and sour soup, stir-fries and salads.

Main nutrition value

Wood ear is high in fibre, and provides some iron, potassium and a little protein, with very few calories.

How best to be consumed

Wood ear is soaked and cooked, and valued for texture.

1. Soak dried wood ear in warm water for 20 to 30 minutes until soft, then rinse well and cut off any hard base.
2. Add to hot and sour soup, stir-fries, dumpling fillings and hot pots.
3. Slice into a cold salad with vinegar, soy, garlic and chilli.
4. Cook thoroughly.
5. Soak only what you need, since soaked mushrooms spoil quickly.

Overconsumption could cause…

Wood ear is safe when cooked.

1. Allergic reactions or digestive upset in some people, and stomach discomfort from the fibre (chitin) and sugars in mushrooms in large servings.
2. Digestive upset from eating mushrooms raw, since cooking breaks down their tough cell walls and destroys natural irritants.
3. Possible effects on blood clotting in large amounts, so people on blood-thinning medicines should check with a doctor.
4. Food poisoning if soaked for long at warm temperatures.

GroupsMushroomsFungi (mushrooms)Chinese

Related foodsBlack FungusChanterelle MushroomCordyceps MushroomCremini MushroomEnoki MushroomKing Oyster Mushroom

Wikipedia — Auricularia auricula-judae, used for origin, naming and history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auricularia_auricula-judae