Funghi
Auricularia auricula-judae
A tier
Auricularia auricula-judae is the jelly ear/wood ear of elder and other woods—rubbery translucent brown, mild flavour, texture-focused edible. European species famous in traditional cookery and medicine talk. Rehydrate if dried; add to soups and stir-fries for texture. Little flavour of its own—takes sauces. Distinct from thick Asian cloud ears sometimes, depending on species used.
Track this ingredient
Unit
Characteristics
Preparations
DrySoupStir-Fry
Traits
European Jelly EarGelatinousMildRubberyTextureTexture First
History
European wood ears were recognised on elder long before modern taxonomy.
GB
British tradition linked jelly ear to elder trees and folk use.
Dried wood ear trade globalised multiple Auricularia species under similar names.