Black ear is a fungus resembling ears, belonging to the family of true fungi that parasitize on dead wood.Fresh black ear appears as gelatinous sheet-like structures, semi-transparent, attached laterally to trees, with ear petioles 5-10 centimeters in diameter, elastic, smooth and slightly concave on the underside, margin slightly curled up, convex on the back, with very fine velvet hairs, appearing blackish-brown or chestnut-brown.After drying, it shrinks into a keratinous state, hard and brittle, with a dark gray or light gray back side;Upon soaking in water, it expands and can recover to its original shape, soft and semi-transparent, surface covered with slippery mucus.Black ear has a soft texture, fresh taste, rich nutrition, suitable for both vegetarian and meat dishes, not only enhancing the appearance of the dish but also nourishing blood, maintaining youth, curing diseases, and prolonging life.Modern nutritionists highly commend black ear as"meat among vegetables",with nutritional value comparable to animal-based foods.
