Iwatake

Umbilicaria esculenta

mushroom

A lichen in broad black sheets, gathered on cliffs, soaked then eaten as tempura or in a vinegared salad.

Origin

Mountains of Japan, Korea and China

Where to find it

A few gatherers still rappel down the rock faces to harvest it; it is sold dried, at a high price.

Season (United States)

all year round

Preparation

Soaked for a long time and rubbed, changing the water, before cooking.

Molecules

Mushroom beta-glucans

Did you know?

It grows barely a millimeter a year: a picked rock waits decades.