Hair Moss

An algae, greenish-black in colour and hairlike in appearance, it grows in shallow streams and is much valued as a delicacy by the Chinese. Produced in the northwestern provinces of Shaanxi, Gansu, Ningxia, Qinghai and Inner Mongolia, it is sold in a dried form and must be reconstituted by soaking. Totally tasteless on its own, it provides a slippery-bouncy texture to the dish whilst it absorbs other flavours.