Wood ear mushroom

Auricularia spp.

mushroom

A pinkish-brown mushroom shaped like a small cup or ear, 3 to 8 cm across, gelatinous when young, hardening as it dries; sold dried, to be rehydrated, for Asian soups and stir-fries. It provides beta-glucans.

Origin

Elder woods of Europe and Asia

Season (United States)

imported · all year round

Preparation

It is cut into strips and cooked for a few minutes; it is eaten cooked. Rehydrated for a few hours at most, kept cool: soaked for days, it has caused serious poisonings.

Molecules

Mushroom beta-glucansIn small amounts, not counted Ergothioneine

Did you know?

Its Latin name, auricula-judae, means “Judas's ear”; it grows all year round on hardwood trunks, with a fondness for elder.