Edible Fungi

Auricularia auricula, Cloud Ears, is an edible fungus. It is found on the bark of dead or dying tree branches and the fallen trunks. It is used extensively in Chinese and Vietnamese cuisine. It has a very light and almost unnoticeable flavor. Those with an interest in collecting wild mushrooms for cullinary purposes generallyi start with this particular fungus. The collected fruiting bodies dry well in a dehydrator and keep well for long periods of time.We have kept collected and dried Auricularia for the past 4 years. and those first collected are still as useable as those collected quite recently. We store them in a glass gallon jar

Oyster Mushrooms, Pleurotus ostreatus are one of the easiest to identify of the edible fungi. They have a very mild flavor and a texture that is suitable for any recipe that calls for mushrooms. This specimen was taken from a dead Tallow tree trunk. As with all fungi, be certain of what you are eating. There are numerous reference books and online sites that can tell you how to identify this particular mushroom as well as offer suggestions for use as an ingredient for dishes as diverse as spaghetti sauce and chowder.

Oyster Mushrooms can be used fresh, frozen or dried. They are available at asian food markets, in bulk, both fresh and dried.

The ruler (that green thing) is 6 inches (15 cm). in length.

Oyster Mushroom, Pleurotus ostreatus	Oyster Mushroom, Pleurotus ostreatus
Oyster Mushroom, Pleurotus ostreatus	Oyster Mushroom, Pleurotus ostreatus

Oyster Mushroom, Pleurotus ostreatus	Oyster Mushrooms shown here are from the same colony as the single specimen shown above.
Oyster Mushroom, Pleurotus ostreatus	This is a new fruit growing in an area where mushrooms were previously harvested. Note the immature fungi below. The single fruit body is about 1 1/2 inches (approximately 3 cm) in on the axis perpendicular to the tree trunk.