Wood Ear or Black Fungus Mushrooms

The larger the pieces the larger the rehydrated mushrooms; small pieces are often just fragments. These mushrooms have little taste, and are mostly used for contrast in color and texture in stir-fry mixtures. To use, soak in water at room temperature 15 minutes or more. Rinse and pick over to remove wood and dirt, especially from the thickened stump where the mushroom was attached to the tree. Discard soaking water.