Wood Ear Mushroom

What Is Wood Ear Mushroom?

Wood ear mushroom (Auricularia auricula-judae) is a mushroom that grows on tree trunks, known for its ear-like shape and dark brown-black color. It's widely used in Asian cuisines and is also called “black fungus.”

It has a gelatinous yet crunchy texture; it keeps this slight crunch even after cooking. It's mostly sold dried and needs to be soaked in warm water before use to unfold into layers.

Nutritional Value of Wood Ear Mushroom

Like mushrooms, wood ear mushroom contains about 25 kcal of energy per 100 grams fresh; it's fat-free and rich in fiber. Since verified USDA data specific to this species is limited, the values are approximated from a similar mushroom profile.

What Are the Benefits of Wood Ear Mushroom?

With its low calories, fat-free nature, and fiber content, wood ear mushroom can be considered a light part of a balanced diet.

This information is general; wood ear mushroom is a food, not a substitute for medical treatment.

How Is Wood Ear Mushroom Selected?

Dried wood ear should be whole, clean, and brittle-dry; damp or spoiled-smelling samples are not preferred. The fresh version should be glossy, pliable, and have a clean smell.

• Dried version should be clean, whole, and well-dried
• Fresh version should be pliable-glossy, with a clean smell
• Moldy or damp samples should not be bought

How Is Wood Ear Mushroom Stored?

Dried wood ear keeps for a very long time in a sealed container in a dry, cool place. The fresh version or one soaked in water should be consumed within a few days in the fridge.

Using Wood Ear Mushroom in the Kitchen

Wood ear is most used in Asian sautés, soups, and noodle dishes for its crunchy texture; it's cut into thin strips and cooked briefly. Its neutral flavor absorbs the taste of sauces well.

How Is Dried Wood Ear Rehydrated?

The dried mushroom is soaked in warm water for 20–30 minutes; once it unfolds to several times its size, it's washed thoroughly, the tough center is cut out, and it's sliced.

How Is Wood Ear Cooked?

The rehydrated mushroom is sliced into strips and either sautéed briefly at high heat or added to soup; it's not overcooked so it keeps its crunchy texture.

What Recipes Is Wood Ear Mushroom Used In?

Vegetable mushroom sauté, hot-and-sour soup, noodle dishes, and mushroom salads are the best-known uses.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does wood ear mushroom taste like?

On its own it has an almost neutral flavor; its real value lies in its crunchy texture, and it takes on the flavor of the dish it's added to.

Is wood ear eaten raw?

It's generally rehydrated in water and cooked, even if briefly; eating it raw is not recommended.

How much does dried wood ear expand?

It expands to several times its volume once soaked in water; that's why a small amount of dried mushroom yields quite a lot.

What cuisines is wood ear mushroom used in?

It's widely used in Chinese, Korean, and Southeast Asian cuisines in sautés, soups, and noodle dishes.