Wood Ear Mushroom

Wood ear mushroom (Auricularia auricula-judae) is an edible fungus with a distinctive shape resembling a human ear. It originates from East Asia, where it is widely used in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean cuisine. It has a gelatinous, springy texture and a neutral, mildly earthy flavour. In dishes, it acts mainly as a flavour carrier and an interesting textural element. It is used in hot-and-sour soup, fried rice dishes, salads, and various Asian recipes. In its dried form it is available year-round, simply soak it in water before use. It contains polysaccharides, iron, and vitamin D, and is now also cultivated in Europe.