Wood Ear
FamilyAuriculariaceae
EdibilityEdible
HabitatDead hardwood
SeasonYear-round
About the Wood Ear
Auricularia auricula, the crunchy brown jelly in hot and sour soup. Records of cultivation in China date back around 1,400 years, making it one of the oldest farmed mushrooms. Dries rock hard and revives completely in water. The distinctive crunch survives any amount of cooking.
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