Cloud ear fungus

雲耳

活血（民間通血管之說）relieves dryness補血鐵質eases the bowels

The dried cloud ear (Auricularia), a thin black jelly fungus sold as small curled flakes that soak out into soft dark ruffles. It brings a cool, slippery crunch and a faint woodsy depth to quick boiled soups and homely pots — silk gourd and pork slice soup is the classic — contributing texture more than flavour.

TCM properties

Nature · neutral　Flavour · sweet　Meridians · stomach、large intestine

Traditional food therapy

In Cantonese food therapy cloud ear is used to moisten dryness and ease the bowels; folk tradition credits it with keeping the blood moving, and it is valued as an iron-rich everyday fungus.

Cautions — read first

[SAFETY CRITICAL] Do not leave it soaking at room temperature overnight; spoiled wood ear can produce bongkrekic acid, which survives high heat and can be fatal. Soak for 20 to 60 minutes and use it straight away, and if it has to soak longer it must go in the fridge.
It has an antiplatelet effect, so take note if you are on blood-thinning or anticoagulant medication, or are going in for surgery.
Use with care if you bruise or bleed easily.

Preparation

Soak in cold water for 20 to 60 minutes, remove the hard base, tear it into small pieces and rinse.

Origin

雲南（雲耳之名所本）；黑木耳大宗現產自東北 — AU stock includes wild cloud ear packs and Taiwanese white-back fungus strips (Henghui)

Availability in Australia

Common at Asian grocers · A$4.36–6.34 / 100g
Henghui Single Black Fungus Wild Cloud Ear 85g $5.39; Wood Ear Mushrooms 100g $5.89; Henghui Taiwanese White Back Black Fungus Strips 80g $3.49

Pairs well with

Angled loofah Lean pork Red jujube date Fresh ginger

Soups that use this ingredient · 1

Angled loofah, cloud ear fungus and pork slice soupA$7–15

勝瓜雲耳肉片湯（絲瓜滾湯）

clears heatcools internal fireeases the bowelsSummer

街市Angled loofah· 1 to 2百子櫃Cloud ear fungus· 1 small handful街市Lean pork· about 150 to 200 g街市Fresh ginger· 2 to 3 slices

“Heaty? Then this is the pot.”