How is Chinese Black Tree Mushroom Used?
The Chinese Black Tree Mushroom is usually sold dried. Before eating it, it must be soaked in warm water for at least 1 hour.
In the process of soaking, the mushrooms increase in size by 3-4 times. Keep this in mind when you cook them.
Although the black mushroom is sold under several names, it is technically different from the tree ear fungus (Latin Auricularia auricula-judae), its botanical cousin. However, these mushrooms boast similar nutrient composition and culinary uses, and are sometimes referred to as interchangeable ().
Chinese Black Tree Mushroom is a popular ingredient in Malay, Chinese and Maori cuisine.
It is slightly rougher than wood ear fungus and is often used in soups. Since it has a fairly neutral flavor, it is even added to Cantonese desserts. Like tofu, it absorbs the aromas of the dish of which it is a part.
Since the 19th century, the black Chinese tree mushroom has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to relieve the symptoms of several conditions, including jaundice and sore throat ().
Cooking applications
This mushroom has great nutritional value. It is rich in carbohydrates and protein, vitamins, especially group B, micro and macro elements. This plant contains a lot of potassium, calcium, magnesium, silicon and other minerals. It is massively used in oriental cuisine. Allowed to use fresh and dried. Most often it is eaten boiled, but sometimes young mushrooms are eaten raw. The "black ear" is usually sold in dried form. Before using it, you need to soak it and then it will take its original form. There are many recipes in Chinese cuisine using this mushroom.
Soup with Auricularia mushrooms and seafood.
The amount of ingredients is calculated for 2.5 liters of broth. Soak a handful of dry mushrooms in warm water. At this time, we are preparing other products. Cut the onion head into thin half rings, one bell pepper and 5-6 champignons into strips, 150 grams of fresh salmon or salmon - cubes. Lightly sauté the onion in vegetable oil, add pepper and mushrooms to it. Cut "Auricularia" into small pieces. Add fried vegetables and mushrooms to the boiling broth, after five minutes you can put rice noodles (100 grams). Before turning off, add salmon and 15 shrimps, bring to readiness for a minute.
Soup "Great Wall of China".
Pre-soak a handful of dry mushrooms in room temperature water, cut into thin strips and fry in olive oil, adding a tablespoon of soy sauce. Bring 1.5 liters of water to a boil, add half a teaspoon of salt, a little grated ginger, a slice of lemon, a whole peeled onion and mushrooms. Reduce heat to low and cook soup for 20 minutes. After that, remove the onion and lemon, add half a packet of rice noodles, a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, a teaspoon of sugar, salt, pepper. Cook for about 10 minutes. Serve this soup to taste with sour cream, soy sauce and herbs.
Of the second courses, the following options are of interest:
Meat strips.
Soak a box of mushrooms for 30 minutes. Cut 200 grams of lean pork into thin strips, add salt, 25 grams of rice starch, mix. Cut 2 carrots and 2 sweet peppers into strips. For the sauce, mix 13 gr. soy sauce, 10 g of rice vinegar, salt, sugar to taste and 15 g of rice starch diluted with water. Fry the meat, chopped onion, garlic and ginger over high heat in vegetable oil, add hot red pepper, mushrooms, carrots, bell peppers and simmer until tender. Serve with sauce and herbs.
Chinese Tsai salad.
For him you will need boiled or smoked chicken, cucumber, carrots, onions, mushrooms, funchose, eggs, starch and spices. Cut the chicken into strips, three cucumbers and carrots on a grater, fry the mushrooms with onions, boil the funchose. We bake pancakes from eggs and starch, which we also cut into strips. We put all the ingredients in a deep salad bowl, add soy sauce, spices, mix thoroughly.
Growing auricular auricular at home
You can grow auricularia at home. To do this, two cuts are made on the branches and trunks of deciduous trees (elderberry, maple, linden), into which the mycelium is placed. The optimal size of pieces of wood: 15 cm in diameter and about a meter in length. It is best to land in April or May. The grafted substrates are piled up. Germination is carried out at a temperature of +20 degrees for 3 months. Then the logs must be installed in a place protected from the sun. If the weather is humid and warm, then fruiting bodies appear by the end of summer. If the logs are watered, new plants will appear regularly. Auricularia are collected when white spores appear on the underside of the cap. The mushrooms continue to grow for about six years.
Despite the fact that Auricularia auricular is a rather rare plant in our area, it appears more and more often on our table, adding sophistication and originality to dishes. And next time picking mushrooms, try looking for this unusual plant on tree trunks.
Useful properties and contraindications
Auricularia is valuable not so much for its organoleptic qualities as for its medicinal properties. So, the use of the mushroom is indicated in the following cases:
- Intoxication in acute and chronic form, since the Judas ear has adsorbing properties that are most similar to activated charcoal.
- Violation of metabolic processes in the body and chronic gastroenterological disorders.
- Allergic manifestations of a different nature.
- Increased blood clotting and a tendency to thrombotic formations.
Note!
In addition, scientists note the powerful effect of the fruit in the fight against excess weight, during the treatment of tumor neoplasms and the treatment of various cardiovascular diseases. Auricularia is used both as a rather powerful natural pain reliever, and as a hemostatic and antiseptic component.
The use of the mushroom is contraindicated in pregnant and lactating women, children, as well as persons suffering from individual intolerance to certain substances that make up the unusual fungus.
What mushrooms can be confused with and how to distinguish
The Judas Ear does not have inedible or poisonous counterparts, so mushroom picking is not fraught with any risks. Nevertheless, the variety has several close relatives, and the most common of them is filmy auricularia, which also falls into the edible category, while having a very mediocre taste, and therefore not being popular among mushroom pickers.
The cap of this mushroom also has a velvety surface due to the hairs, but due to the uneven color it looks more like an oyster than a mushroom. Another distinctive feature of the variety is the reddish pulp, as well as the snow-white powder that hides in the mushroom hymenophore.
The second counterpart of the auricularia is a densely haired variety that grows on the trunks of broad-leaved trees in Asian forests. These mushrooms can hardly be called tasteless (rather neutral), while their edibility is not subject to the slightest doubt. As for the distinctive characteristics, these growths are more reminiscent of miniature bowls of a faded red-brown hue.
Auricularia auricular
The Latin specific epithet and popular names in many European languages come from the biblical legend of Judas Iscariot, who hanged himself on an elder.
The Chinese name for the mushroom mu er (木耳, pinyin: mù ěr) translates as "tree ear".
The Japanese name kikurage (キ ク ラ ゲ) literally means tree jellyfish.
The fruiting body is sessile, ear-shaped, 4-10 cm in size. The outer surface is reddish-brown, covered with soft hairs, the inner surface (hymenophore) is smooth, darker, with a grayish tint, covered with veins and wrinkles.
The pulp is thin, gelatinous, transparent, hardens and shrinks when dry. White spore powder, spores 14 × 5.5 μm, elongated-ellipsoidal.
Ecology and distribution
It grows on weakened and dead deciduous trees (parasite or saprotroph), most often on elder, alder. Found in humid places in deciduous forests, widespread in the warmer part of the northern temperate zone.
Similar Species: Auricularia polytricha
The mushroom is prized in the Far East, especially in Chinese cuisine. An obligatory ingredient in the Chinese Black Mushroom soup. Dishes made from this mushroom are considered medicinal in China. It can also be used in salads.
Already in the 3rd century AD, this mushroom was appreciated in China and used in food. There he was called mu-err, which can be translated as "ear of a tree." In ancient China, 5 different species were known. They were collected during rainy periods and dried.
In Japan, China and Taiwan, Judah's ear and other related species, for example, are now grown. Auricularia polytricha on thin trunks of various deciduous trees.
In Germany, the "elderberry mushroom" has been used for centuries as a medicine. It was applied to sore eyes or an infusion was made from it for rinsing, which helps with diseases of the nasopharynx. Now these treatments are forgotten.
But, perhaps, the extract of auricularia will soon regain some importance as a medicine: the most recent studies have revealed that this mushroom contains substances that prevent thrombus formation.
In Japan and Taiwan, there is also a white gelatinous mushroom (Tremella fuciformis), also called "silver ear". He is also credited with medicinal properties. It grows on the thin trunks and branches of many deciduous trees.
In Taiwan, a drink is prepared from its crushed fruit bodies: mushrooms are washed down with hot syrup, adding pieces of cherry or pineapple to it. Unlike auricularia, the cultivation of white gelatinous fungus in Germany is not yet engaged.
Growing in the garden
Judas ear takes root better on branches and trunks about 15 cm in diameter and 1 m long. Black elderberry, maple, elm and other deciduous trees are suitable. The best times for inoculation are April and May. Auricularia mycelium is difficult to acquire. It is recommended to use the cuts inoculation method, with 2 cuts made on each piece of wood.
The grafted branches or logs are folded into piles in a known manner. The mycelium is germinated at a temperature of about 20 ° C for 2-3 months.
Then the collars are disassembled and the logs are placed in a shaded place crosswise (see shii-take) or the logs are leaned against the trees. In humid and mild weather, the first fruiting bodies may appear already at the end of summer. The optimum temperature is from 18 to 23 ° C, the optimum humidity is above 90%.
If the logs are watered regularly, mushrooms will reappear after a short period of rest. Later, when white spores appear on the underside of the mushrooms, the auricularia are cut close to the tree trunk. The growth of fungi lasts from 3 to 5 years and yields from 12 to 14% of the wood mass. In China and Japan, Judah's ear is cultured on a sterilized mixture of sawdust and rice bran in plastic bags.
A similar method, which could be used by amateurs, has not yet been developed. There is also almost no information about the reasons for the failures.
Judas ear (Auricularia auricula-judae) in the tree garden
Use, storage, canning
In Chinese cuisine, auricularia is fried, stewed, but mostly steamed with meat, fish or vegetables. For storage, the mushrooms are dried whole.At the same time, they become almost black, only the underside of the cap remains light.
If you put them in warm water, they will swell and after about an hour they will return to their previous shape, color and consistency.
Judas ear mushroom medicinal properties
Muer is a beautiful name. Immediately, something airy, flying, delicate to the touch - moire appears in the imagination. Alas!
Quite the opposite. In dried form, it is something coal black, like burnt paper with a faint smell of smoke, while fresh, these mushrooms - and at all ugly - with slushy jellyfish ears dot the entire trunk of a rotten tree. In appearance - well, they do not cause appetite. And the Slavs never ate them. They disdained. And they called it in general contemptuously - "Judas ears." Why? Most likely in shape - they really look like ears, and the Judas - maybe because this mushroom loves to settle on rotten elderwood trunks, and it was on the elder that Judas hanged himself.
The flesh of the mushroom is gristly and gelatinous. During a drought, the mushroom dries up, and after rain it regains its gelatinous consistency.
Now on sale you can find fresh, but more often dried mushrooms. Dried mushrooms are gray-brown in color, and when soaked, they brighten and increase in size by five times. The shape and size of soaked mushrooms is almost the same as freshly picked ones. You can use mushrooms for cooking first courses and in salads, just like other types of mushrooms. And avid mushroom hunters can themselves try to find this exotic in their native forests.
In the Far East, especially in China, it is considered a delicacy. In China, the Judah's ear mushroom was already known in the 3rd century AD. It is quite common in Asian cuisine, but not for its super-palatability (the mushroom tastes like waxed paper - absolutely tasteless), but for another wonderful quality. He is like the best brush ... cleans out the intestines. The fact is that it contains poorly soluble food cellulose and chitosan, which cleanse the intestines. The property of a muer to swell before our eyes - that is, to absorb water five times its dry weight - is really priceless. It absorbs toxins in the intestines along with fluids and removes them.
Therefore, it is the most indispensable mushroom for the prevention of DIARRHEA and METEORISM. And in China this ability is used everywhere - at banquets always at the end of the feast they served ... muer soup and a spicy snack in front of him, which included pieces of mushroom with soy sprouts. That is, they made it possible for the guests who had eaten too much not to suffer from the accumulation of gases. Here is such a wonderful mushroom medicine !! ! By the way, it looks very much like ... ordinary activated carbon, which is also used for bloating.
The healing properties of "elderberry cartilage"
In Austria, this mushroom was not eaten, but the powder was made from it - it was dried for future use. And also used for bloating. But there is also an old recipe (already from the Middle Ages.), When the infusion of this mushroom was used to treat eye diseases.
“Pour two ounces of elderberry cartilage with hot water and place in an earthen pot over slowly glowing coals, then dip a piece of tow into it and apply this hot tow to sore eyes. Do this until ulcers and tumors are completely healed. Pus stops flowing on the second day. "
These notes were made at the prayer book of one of the parishioners of the church in Vienna.
Modern research has shown that the Judah's ear mushroom contains substances that prevent thrombus formation. This most valuable property - to thin the blood - and prevent strokes and heart attacks have already been adopted by Russian drug manufacturers. So far, only the Muer - Black Mushroom dietary supplement can be found on sale, and research is already coming to an end and a synthetic analogue of the drug will soon be launched, which is better and safer than aspirin, which thinns the blood.
Slavic knowledge about the Judas ear
As a remedy, this mushroom was also used by the Eastern Slavs as an external cooling agent for inflammation of the throat and eyes and as an effective remedy for “toad, swelling of the uvula, tonsils, and larynx and other external tumors” (they applied a raw mushroom to a sore spot).
Chinese love for the medicinal mushroom
In Chinese medicine, it is believed that auricular auricular "revitalizes the blood, fills with vital energy, moisturizes and cleanses the intestines, and removes toxins." This mushroom has a neutralizing effect and is able to dissolve kidney and gallstones. Special plant colloidal substances in its composition prevent the absorption of fats by the body, which helps to reduce blood cholesterol levels and lose weight.
Auricular auricular is a prophylactic agent for atherosclerosis, hypertension. Chinese healers consider this mushroom a source of anti-cancer compounds, so they use auricularia powder for the treatment and prevention of cancer.
Sources of information: 1. Raitviyr, 1967. 2. Denisova, 1998. 3. Wasser, Weis, 1999a, 4. Jerr Toiley, 2006, 5. I. Filippova, 2005, 6. gas. "Mushroom Pharmacy", 2013
Potential benefits of black mushroom
Despite the multiple uses of black mushroom in traditional Chinese medicine, scientific research on it is still in its infancy.
However, this mushroom was known for its potential immunostimulating and antimicrobial properties (,).
Just keep in mind that human studies are limited and more research is needed.
Contains powerful antioxidants
Mushrooms, including Auricularia species, are usually high in antioxidants.
These beneficial plant compounds help fight oxidative stress in your body, which is associated with inflammation and a variety of diseases (,).
What's more, mushrooms often contain powerful polyphenolic antioxidants. A diet high in polyphenols is associated with a lower risk of cancer and chronic diseases, including heart disease (,,,,,).
May Promote Gut & Immune Health
Like other mushrooms, the Chinese black tree mushroom boasts prebiotics - mostly in the form of beta-glucan (,,).
Prebiotics are a type of fiber that feeds your gut microflora or the good bacteria in your gut. They promote the health of the digestive tract and maintain regular bowel movements (,,).
Interestingly, gut microflora is closely related to immune health. Prebiotics, like those found in black mushroom, are thought to enhance your immune response to unfriendly pathogens that could otherwise make you sick ().
May lower cholesterol levels
The polyphenols in these mushrooms can help lower LDL (harmful) cholesterol ().
In turn, lowering LDL cholesterol levels can reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
One rabbit study using a tree ear fungus found that both total cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol were significantly reduced ().
However, researchers weren't sure exactly how the mushrooms had this effect, and one study on wood ear fungi may not necessarily apply to people who eat black mushrooms.
May Promote Brain Health
Mushrooms are believed to preserve healthy brain function (,).
One test-tube study showed that Chinese black wood mushroom and other fungi inhibit the activity of beta-secretase, an enzyme that secretes beta-amyloid proteins ().
These proteins are toxic to the brain and are associated with degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease ().
While these results are promising, human studies are needed.
May protect your liver
Black mushroom can protect your liver from the harmful effects of certain substances.
In a study in rats, a solution of water and powdered black fungus helped to reverse and protect the liver from damage caused by paracetamol overdose ().
Researchers have linked this effect to the mushroom's powerful antioxidant properties ().
Yet research is lacking.
Types and short description
This species belongs to the auriculariaceae family and has a gelatinous fruiting body, growing up to ten centimeters in diameter. The auricularia fungus is a saprophyte on dead wood, drawing nutrients from it. Under some conditions, it goes on to parasitize on weakened fruit trees, causing their death. Due to its nutritional qualities, this woody mushroom is called forest meat. The taste is more reminiscent of seafood than other mushrooms. Distinguish auricularia auricular, sinuous and densely haired.
Auricularia thick-haired
Auricularia polytricha ("silver ear") has a gray-brown pubescent surface. Its shape resembles a shell. It has a gelatinous and odorless cartilaginous pulp. During drought it dries up, and after rain it regains its consistency. It is widely used in Asian cuisine.
Auricularia sinuous
Auricularia sinuous, or filmy (Auricularia mesenterica), resembles a disc. Colored brown or light gray. When wet, it has a soft, firm pulp. This mushroom is edible, but its taste is weak. It is sometimes called a scar fungus because it looks like the filmy folds of the peritoneum.
Auricularia auricular
Auricularia auricular gets its name from its resemblance to the human ear. There are also other names: Judas ear, black tree mushroom, muer. Its fruit body is gray-brown in color. The pulp is tender and gelatinous. Auricularia auricula-judae grows on the fallen trunks of an elder tree, on which, according to legend, Judas hanged himself, so the mushroom began to bear his name. The Japanese call this species "woody jellyfish". In the countries of Southeast Asia and the Far East, Judah's ear is considered a delicacy, as well as a medicine.
Description of auricular auricularia
From the name alone, it becomes clear that this forest dweller resembles auricles, however, for some mushroom pickers, the gelatinous body evokes other associations, resembling ham, velvet ruffles and even intestines. Whatever it was, but auricularia, or as it is also commonly called, Judas ear is an unusual mushroom and definitely worthy of attention, especially when you consider that it belongs to the edible group.
Features of the species Auricularia auricula
Pinkish, red, brown, burgundy, brown and even black fruits of this variety, growing individually or in clusters and forming incomprehensible gelatinous formations, can be seen mainly on tree trunks. And if some fungi really resemble in their shape the auricle, then others look like funnels or convex hemispheres, completely covered with fine pile, which gives the surface of the cap a light velvety effect.
The total size of the fruit is 4-10 cm, however, heap development often gives the impression that the mushroom has a larger size. There are also giants, the diameter of the funnels of which reaches 18 cm. Because of the hairs, the mushroom cap looks rough, while its reverse side, dotted with rather thick veins and cells, on the contrary, remains perfectly smooth. The thickness of this formation usually does not exceed a few millimeters, while tree growths can reach 10 cm in height.
In addition, the fruit is weather-dependent, literally shrinking in the heat, and with the first rains and a steady rise in humidity it takes on its usual appearance. The shape of the mushroom itself is also heterogeneous, which has the property of straightening out as it grows and shrinking, turning into dark formations, closer to the end of the life cycle.
Edible mushroom or not
Despite its unusual shape, this variety has a completely familiar mushroom flavor, albeit not as refined and intense as in boletus and truffles. Not everyone likes the slightly crunchy pulp of auricularia.
Note! It is noteworthy that the fruit perfectly retains its edible qualities in a dried form, which allows it to be transported over any distance.
In terms of nutritional value, Judah's ear is inferior to many forest fruits. For example, there are less proteins in 100 g of this product than 0.5 g, while there is only 0.04 g of fat, a little more carbohydrates here (about 6.75 g), and the rest is occupied by water, reaching 92.59 g of the total. In general, the mushroom is completely safe, and so much so that it is even eaten raw.
Useful properties and possible harm
The calorie content of muer per 100 g is 30 kcal. In its chemical composition:
- 4.8 proteins;
- 2.4 carbohydrates;
- 6 g of ash;
- 13 g of water;
- no fat.
Dishes made from these mushrooms are said to be healthy and have medicinal properties.
The increased proportion of protein and calcium makes it a full-fledged meat substitute in terms of nutritional value, and in terms of the amount of phosphorus it contains, it is not inferior to fish. Vitamins from group B, ascorbic acid, D, calcium, iodine, iron, potassium, enzymes and amino acids are also present in large doses.
In chemical composition, it has common characteristics with the porcini mushroom: fiber and chitin are included in a large volume, acting as neutralizers of toxins and participating in digestive processes.
Irina Selyutina (Biologist):
During the research, the ability of the fungus to anticoagulation was revealed, comparable to the action of heparin.
- Anticoagulation - reducing blood clotting with certain medications.
- Heparin is an anticoagulant that prevents blood clotting, discovered in 1916.
The fungus is not toxic. In nature, it does not have poisonous twins, it cannot be confused with other inedible woody representatives. The use of muer should be limited to people with diseases of the liver, digestive organs, increased secretion of the thyroid gland, as well as those who are prone to allergic reactions in the form of eczema and dermatitis. Contraindicated for children under 14 years of age.
