Michael Davis
Dried black mushrooms are a staple ingredient in Chinese cuisine and are also known as shiitake mushrooms. They are cultivated all over the world but grown almost exclusively in China for the commercial dry goods market. They are sold fresh but are more commonly purchased dried, either whole, sliced, or just the caps. The mushrooms have been used for their health benefits in traditional Asian healing systems for centuries. They are prized for their rich, savoury, buttery, earthy flavour and meaty texture.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Other names | Shiitake mushrooms, Woodear mushrooms, Black fungus |
| Colour | Light or dark brown, grey |
| Texture | Wrinkled, hard |
| Taste | Savoury, buttery, umami, earthy, meaty |
| Smell | Earthy, delicate |
| Preparation | Soak in hot water for 15-20 minutes, or cold water overnight |
| Storage | Store in a dark, dry pantry or refrigerator in an airtight container |
| Uses | Soups, stir-fries, salads, fried rice, sautés, braised dishes, hot pot, congee |
| Health benefits | Amino acids, vitamins |
| Country of origin | China |
| Shelf life | Up to 2 years |
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What You'll Learn
Dried black mushrooms are most likely dried shiitake mushrooms
When dried, shiitake mushrooms have a stronger aroma and taste as the drying process concentrates the flavour. They are prized for their rich, savoury, buttery, and earthy flavour, as well as their chewy texture. The mushrooms are often added to sautés, soups, stuffings, and risottos. They can be used in the same way as more common mushroom varieties.
Before using dried shiitake mushrooms in cooking, they need to be reconstituted by soaking in water. There are differing opinions on the best way to do this. Some sources recommend soaking the mushrooms in very hot water for about 15 to 20 minutes. Others suggest that the mushrooms should be soaked in cold water overnight to produce the best results and retain more of their fragrance.
Dried shiitake mushrooms are divided into three categories based on their quality and thickness: fragrant (xiang gu), winter (dong gu or donko), and flower mushrooms (huagu). The latter two are considered the highest grade, with flower mushrooms being the best.
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How to prepare dried black mushrooms
Dried black mushrooms are most likely dried shiitake mushrooms. They are cultivated all over the world but grown almost exclusively in China for the commercial dry goods market. They are sold in clear plastic bags in many major supermarkets and Chinese grocery stores.
Dried black mushrooms are a versatile ingredient that can be added to just about any dish that features mushrooms. They are commonly used in Chinese cuisine, where they form the backbone of many dishes, providing an earthy fragrance and deep umami notes. They are also used during the Lunar New Year for their symbolism.
Dried black mushrooms can be stored in a dark and dry pantry or area of the refrigerator in an airtight bag or container. Keeping moisture out is crucial, as dried mushrooms can easily grow mould and spoil. Stored properly, they have a long shelf life.
To prepare dried black mushrooms for cooking, you will need to reconstitute them with water. This can be done by soaking them in hot or warm water for 15 minutes or longer, depending on their thickness. However, soaking them in room temperature water overnight allows the mushrooms to retain more of their fragrance and flavour. The soaking water can be strained and used for cooking as well.
After soaking, the mushrooms will have soft and fleshy caps, but the stems will remain chewy and tough, so they are best removed. They can be reserved to make stock or soup. Once the mushrooms are strained, chopped, and ready to use, even a small amount will add enormous flavour to a dish. They can be used in soups, stews, sauces, pâtés, gratins, salads, stir-fries, or as a topping for rice.
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Where to buy dried black mushrooms
Dried black mushrooms, also known as woodear mushrooms or black fungus, can be purchased from a variety of online and in-person retailers. If you're looking to buy dried black mushrooms online, you have several options:
Amazon
Amazon.com offers a wide range of dried mushrooms, including dried black mushrooms. They offer free shipping on eligible orders and have a variety of brands available.
Soeos
Soeos is an online platform that offers a variety of spices and seasoning, including dried woodear mushrooms. They work directly with farmers and manufacturers to ensure the freshness and quality of their products. Soeos offers free shipping and returns on orders above $35.
Spice Jungle
Spice Jungle offers bulk dried mushrooms and other culinary ingredients to consumers online. They have a wide selection of dried mushrooms that can be reconstituted in water before cooking.
If you prefer to shop in-person, you can find dried black mushrooms at various specialty grocery stores and markets:
Forest Mushrooms
Forest Mushrooms offers fresh and dried mushrooms and has locations in Minnesota and the Midwest. You can find their mushrooms at Lunds & Byerlys, Coborn's, Cashwise, Cub Foods, Whole Foods Markets, and Kowalski's Markets. They also offer free shipping on orders over $50.
The Best of Asia in America
This retailer offers dried black mushrooms in 2oz packages for $5.99.
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Health benefits of dried black mushrooms
Dried black mushrooms, also known as dried shiitake mushrooms, are a common ingredient in Chinese cooking. They are used to add flavour and texture to a wide array of dishes. Dried black mushrooms are sold in clear plastic bags in most major supermarkets and Chinese grocery stores.
Dried black mushrooms are often sold alongside dried black fungus, also known as wood ear mushrooms. Black fungus is a wild mushroom that is predominantly found in China, but also in tropical climates like the Pacific Islands, Nigeria, Hawaii, and India. It is cultivated for the commercial dry goods market almost exclusively in China.
Black fungus has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for hundreds of years to alleviate symptoms of several conditions, including jaundice and sore throats. It is also believed to have many health benefits when consumed regularly. Here are some of the health benefits of dried black fungus:
Nutrient-Packed Superfood
Black fungus is a nutrient-packed superfood that is rich in antioxidants, fibre, and essential minerals. It is also a good source of B vitamins and iron. A 1-cup serving of dried black fungus mushrooms provides 20 grams of fibre, which is around 70% of the daily recommended value.
Improves Digestive Health
High-fibre foods like black fungus help promote healthy digestion, lower cholesterol levels, and maintain a healthy weight. The polysaccharides present in black mushrooms are food for the good bacteria in the gut, aiding the healing of digestive problems and leading to a healthier digestive system.
Boosts Brain Function
Black fungus is rich in antioxidants and contains polysaccharides that act as a barrier against Alzheimer's disease. Consuming more than one cup of cooked black fungus mushrooms is believed to prevent the onset of Alzheimer's.
Supports Heart Health
The vitamins and minerals in black fungus, including potassium, calcium, phosphorus, folate, and magnesium, are vital to heart health.
Reduces Inflammation
Black fungus is believed to help reduce inflammation in the body.
Overall, the inclusion of dried black fungus in the diet can be a simple yet significant way to improve one's health.
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Dishes to use dried black mushrooms in
Dried black mushrooms are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. They are commonly used in Chinese cuisine, where they add an earthy fragrance and deep umami notes to dishes. Here are some ideas for dishes to use dried black mushrooms in:
Soups and Stews
Dried black mushrooms are perfect for adding depth of flavour to soups and stews. They can be soaked in water and then added directly to the soup or stew, or you can use the mushroom-infused water as a broth. This works especially well in a wild mushroom soup or a traditional Italian mushroom risotto.
Stir-Fries
Dried black mushrooms can be added to stir-fries for a flavour and texture boost. They can be soaked and then stir-fried with meat or vegetables, or added at the end of cooking to retain their texture.
Noodle Dishes
Dried black mushrooms go well with noodles. Try soaking them and then adding them to soup noodles, or using them as a topping for plain rice or noodle dishes.
Salads
Dried black mushrooms can be sliced into thin strips and added to salads. Soaking them beforehand will make them more pliable and easier to eat.
Braised Dishes
Dried black mushrooms can be a great addition to braised dishes. Soak them beforehand and then add them to the dish, or use the mushroom-infused water as a flavourful base for the braise.
Hot Pot
For a traditional Chinese experience, add dried black mushrooms to a hot pot. This allows everyone to customise their dish and enjoy the flavour and texture that the mushrooms provide.
Congee
Congee is a traditional Chinese rice porridge that can be enhanced with the addition of dried black mushrooms. Soak the mushrooms and add them to the congee for a hearty and flavourful dish.
Appetizers
Dried black mushrooms can be cooked and served as appetizers or side dishes. Try stir-frying them with other ingredients or marinating and deep-frying them, as in the Korean dish gangjeong.
Remember that dried black mushrooms can be gritty, so be sure to soak and rinse them thoroughly before using. Also, thinner mushrooms will cook faster and require less soaking time than thicker varieties.
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Frequently asked questions
Dried black mushrooms are most likely dried shiitake mushrooms. They are a staple ingredient in Chinese cuisine and are sold fresh and dried.
Dried black mushrooms have a rich, earthy, savoury, buttery, and umami flavour. The drying process concentrates the flavour, so dried black mushrooms have a stronger aroma and taste than fresh shiitake mushrooms.
Dried mushrooms need to be reconstituted before use. The most common way is to soak them in very hot water for about 15-20 minutes. Some cooks recommend soaking them for an hour or overnight in cold water for better results and to retain more of their fragrance.
Store dried black mushrooms in a dark and dry pantry or area of the refrigerator in an airtight bag or container. Keeping moisture out is key, as dried mushrooms can easily grow mould and spoil.
Dried black mushrooms are versatile and can be added to just about any dish that features mushrooms. They are commonly used in Asian recipes, including Chinese hot pot, congee, soups, stir-fries, and salads. They can also be used in Italian dishes like risotto and pasta.
