Wood Ear Fungus
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Major Growing Areas
At present, artificially cultivated wood ear fungus is mainly grown in places such as China. Wild wood ear fungus may be found in the west, but it is rarely used as a food ingredient.
Varieties
Wood ear fungus comes in different varieties, such as black fungus, silver ear fungus, cloud ears, and mouse ears. A few pieces of wood ear fungus of irregular shapes would grow on the same tree. Wood ear fungus has a smooth surface with fine hairs. The wood ear fungus available in the market is usually dried and has to be soaked before consumption.
Nutritional Values
Wood ear fungus is rich in dietary fibre, which helps lower blood cholesterol levels and is good for our cardiovascular health.
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| Per 100 g |
| Energy |
27 kcal |
| Dietary Fibre |
2.6 g |
| Vitamin C |
1 mg |
| Magnesium |
57 mg |
| Potassium |
52 mg |
| Iron |
5.5 mg |
Buying and Cooking Tips
It is recommended to choose dried wood ear fungus that is dry and aromatic, and store it in a cool and dry place. When soaking wood ear fungus, one should wash the surface and not soaking too many pieces at once. If there is a need to soak wood ear fungus overnight, it should be refrigerated to avoid bacteria growth. Wood ear fungus should be cooked and consumed as soon as possible upon soaking. Wood ear fungus showing any abnormalities or unusual odours upon soaking should be discarded.
Fun Facts
From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, wood ear fungus possesses medicinal value and can be used for dietary therapy.
Common Dishes:
Steamed Chicken, Lily Buds and Cloud Ears; Cucumber and Black Fungus Salad; Shredded Chicken, Wood Ear Fungus and Mung Bean Sheet Salad, etc.
"One serving of vegetables" is approximately equivalent to:
½ bowl of cooked wood ear fungus
Note: One bowl = 250-300 ml
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