Wood ear mushrooms
FridgeWood ear mushrooms, also called tree ear mushrooms or jelly ear mushrooms due to their ear-like appearance, are a type of edible fungi popular in Chinese cuisine. Native to Asia, wood ear mushrooms can be found growing in the humid forests of this region. Although they can also grow in temperate climates found in Australia, Europe, Africa, and North America. Mushroom foragers will forage the wild mushrooms from living or fallen trees during late summer to early winter. However, wood ear mushrooms are also cultivated on farms where they’re grown on sawdust logs. Wood ear mushrooms have a delicate appearance with a curved, cup-like shape and are light to dark brown in color. When cooked, they develop a firm, crunchy texture. The mushrooms don’t have a very distinct taste and often take on the flavors of the other ingredients they’re mixed with. Wood ear mushrooms are commonly found in Asian supermarkets where they’re usually sold dehydrated. Since wood ear mushrooms are most often found dried, they should be rehydrated by soaking them in a bowl of water for an hour or two. Once rehydrated, they will go back to their original size. From there, they should be rinsed, any tough parts removed, and blanched in boiling water for a few minutes. Then, they’re ready to use! Wood ear mushrooms are an excellent addition to Asian soups, stir-frys, and noodle dishes. They’re also one of the star ingredients in popular Chineses dishes like hot and sour soup and mu shu pork, adding that special bit of crunch they’re so well-known for.
Wood ear mushrooms nutrition and vitamin info per 100g
| Energy | 19 | kcal |
| Total Fat | 0 | g |
| Carbohydrate Total | 4.050000190734863 | g |
| Sugars | 5 | g |
| Protein | 0.699999988079071 | g |
| Sodium | 8 | mg |
| Fiber | 0 | g |
