Wood Ear MushroomsThese are fungi that grow on decaying wood from 120 different species of broad-leaved trees, including oak, poplar, fig, and locust, and are parasitic on the trees.Wood ear mushrooms have a sweet taste and a neutral nature, with various medicinal properties.They can strengthen the body and improve blood circulation.They can also treat iron deficiency anemia. They can also nourish and beautify the skin, making it rosy and radiant, and can also help with high blood pressure.Wood ear mushrooms come in different varieties, including:(Maomu - "Fluffy Wood Ear")(Zhuomu - "Wrinkled Wood Ear")(Heimu - "Black Wood Ear")Each variety has its own characteristics.

Black Wood EarRed DatesSoupMain ingredient

Black wood ear and red dates

2. Soak the red dates in water for about 15 minutes to remove dust from the wrinkles.

3. Wash the wood ear and red dates and put them in a pot with water. Cook over high heat.

4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 30 minutes.

5. Serve in a bowl. The red dates are sweet, so no sugar is needed in the soup.

2. Wash the green

chili peppersand chop them into slices.3. Add 1 tablespoon of

agedvinegar, 1/2 tablespoon of (liao jiu - Shaoxing wine), a littlesoy sauce, and an appropriate amount ofsalt.4. Add water to the pot and bring to a boil. Quickly blanch the soaked wood ear and drain.5. Add a little oil to the pot and sauté ginger and green chili peppers until fragrant. Add the sliced green peppers and stir-fry until cooked.6. Add the blanched wood ear and stir-fry until cooked. Add the prepared sauce and stir-fry.2. Differences in tasteIn general, when making dishes, the same method is used, but the taste of the wood ear is different. (Heimu - "Black Wood Ear") has a tender and slippery texture, with a slightly sticky feeling. (Maomu - "Fluffy Wood Ear") has a fresher and crisper texture.3. Differences in preparation

Because (Maomu - "Fluffy Wood Ear") and (Heimu - "Black Wood Ear") have different tastes, many people prefer to use (Heimu - "Black Wood Ear") to make (liang ban cai - cold dishes)

when preparing (liang ban cai - cold dishes). (Maomu - "Fluffy Wood Ear") is more suitable for stir-frying.GingerFry shallots and red chili peppers, add the vegetables.Green bell pepperSlice and stir-fry evenly over high heat.

6. Add the pre-boiled wood ear mushrooms, stir-fry evenly, then pour in the prepared sauce and stir-fry.

2. After soaking the raw wood ear mushrooms in cold water, remove the stems, add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, stir several times, rinse with water, and chop finely.

3. Add chopped wood ear mushrooms, salt, white sugar,soy sauce, and appropriate amount of cornstarch to the ground meat.4. Use chopsticks to stir in the same direction, while stirring, add appropriate amount of water several times, and stir until a slightly sticky mixture forms.

5. Transfer the mixed ground meat and wood ear mushrooms to a deep bowl, and place in the rice cooker's

steamingbasket, start cooking.6. When the rice is cooked, the wood ear and meat

pancake is also cooked.Differences between raw and black wood ear mushrooms1. Differences in appearance

The appearance of raw wood ear mushrooms and black wood ear mushrooms are similar, but when you carefully look at the back of the wood ear mushrooms, you can see the difference. The back of the raw wood ear mushrooms is covered with yellow hairs, and the leaves are thicker than black wood ear mushrooms. If you don't look closely, it's difficult to distinguish, and the back of the wood ear mushrooms doesn't have as many hairs as the raw wood ear mushrooms.

2. Differences in taste

Generally, when making dishes, the same method is used, but the taste of the wood ear mushrooms is different. Black wood ear mushrooms are tender and slippery, with a slightly sticky texture, while raw wood ear mushrooms have a fresher, crisper taste.

3. Differences in preparation

Because raw wood ear mushrooms and black wood ear mushrooms have different tastes, when using the chilled dish method, many people prefer to use black wood ear mushrooms.

Black wood ear mushrooms are better suited for chilled dishes.

Because the textures of mushroom ear and black mushroom ear are different, many people prefer to use black mushroom ear when making cold dishes.Cold dishWhile mushroom ear is usually cooked and eaten, black mushroom ear is more refreshing when cold.