There are few more exotic-looking fungi than the cloud ear mushrooms. Explore this guide for tips on buying, preparing, and using cloud ear mushrooms (aka cloud ear fungus), with links to plant-based recipes.
Cloud ear mushrooms are most traditional to Chinese cuisine and considered to have numerous benefits, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Paper-thin when dried, with fluted edges, cloud ears can be used interchangeably with wood ear mushrooms. While typically used in Asian cuisines, cloud ears are versatile and can be adapted to a wide variety of recipes calling for mushrooms.
What are Cloud Ear Mushrooms?
Chinese lore has traditionally associated this mushroom, or fungus, with longevity. Cloud ear mushrooms (Auricularia polytricha) are edible Chinese wild fungi that grow on trees. Close relatives of cloud ears and wood ears can be foraged all over North America.
The dried cloud ear, a staple in Chinese cuisine, has become increasingly available in the West. It has little flavor of its own, so its appeal lies in its chewy, almost crunchy texture and ability to absorb the flavors that it’s cooked with.
Are cloud ear and wood ear mushrooms the same thing? No, they aren’t but can be used interchangeably. Cloud ears are a bit smaller and more tender than wood ears, but feel free to swap one for the other.
Nutrition Notes
Cloud-ear mushrooms are a high-fiber, low-fat, and nutrient-dense addition to a meal. Mushrooms are known for their antioxidant properties, which help reduce inflammation and stress in the body. Cloud ears also contain prebiotics that promote healthy bacteria in the gut.
Here’s a full look at cloud ear mushrooms’ nutritional facts.
Thai Red Curry with Tofu, featuring wood-ear mushrooms,
from MyPurePlants.com (photo reprinted by permission)
Buying and storing cloud ear mushrooms
Dried cloud-ear mushrooms are most available in Asian food markets and online sources. Store them in a tightly lidded jar in a cool, dry place and they will keep for many months.
How to Reconstitute and Prepare Cloud Ears
When reconstituted, the cloud ear increases almost alarmingly in volume. Just ¼ to ½ ounce of dried mushroom is enough for an average recipe — unless you have a strong passion for it. They expand greatly when soaked.
Sources differ widely as to how long these mushrooms need to be soaked, ranging from a mere 30 minutes to several hours of simmering.
To reconstitute: Cover mushrooms with boiling water in an ovenproof dish. Cover the dish with a lid and let stand off the heat and covered for 30 to 45 minutes (depending on whether they’ll be further cooked in a recipe). Longer soaking doesn’t seem to change the texture.
To use: Drain well and rinse. Trim the stem, then cut them into thin strips. Reserve the liquid for use in soup stocks and sauces. Add cloud ears to recipes toward the end — giving them enough time to absorb some of the flavors, yet retain a bit of crunch.
Ideas & Recipes for Using Cloud Ear Mushrooms
Exotic as cloud ears are, they simply aren’t flavorful enough to be the focus of a dish. But they can add a surprising textural element when incorporated with well-seasoned dishes. Here are some simple ideas:
- Add them to stir-fried vegetable dishes, soups, and Asian noodle dishes.
- Stir-fry them in a combination of soy sauce and sesame oil, then use them as garnish for pan-fried tofu or simple cooked brown rice.
- They’re especially nice in dishes containing other types of mushrooms.
Swap cloud ears into these wood ear mushroom recipes
If you search for cloud ear mushroom recipes, you’re most likely to be shown recipes using wood ears. That’s proof positive of their interchangeability.
Tonkotsu Ramen: Known for its creamy broth, Tonkotsu is a hearty Japanese comfort food. This vegan version features panko-crusted tofu katsu and nutritional yeast for its rich nutty flavor.
Kimbap: Veggie-packed Korean seaweed and rice wraps (similar to sushi) are a perfect on-the-go meal.
Vegan Mapo Tofu: From the Sichuan province of China, Mapo Tofu is a spicy dish with silken tofu. This vegan version features cloud ear and shiitake mushrooms.
Smoky Coconut Rice with Wood-Ear: Quick and simple Asian-inspired basmati rice with bamboo shoots and bell pepper. Swap in cloud ears.
Mushroom Risotto: Creamy Italian risotto is a labor of love – this recipe features several versions including a homemade mushroom stock or fried sage and wood ear mushrooms. Swap in cloud ears
King Oyster and Wood-Ear Mushroom with Cilantro Persillade: A fifteen-minute side dish paired with a quick and easy version of French persillade sauce. Swap in cloud ears.
Chocolate Coated Cranberry Wood-Ears: Nutritious and prebiotic alternative to the cranberry jelly-filled candies you might find in a box of assorted chocolates.
Wood Ear Mushroom Salad: A perfect accompaniment to a meal, this cold Chinese dish seasoned with coriander and sesame only takes a few minutes to come together and is.
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