Emma Wilson
There are several varieties of black mushrooms, including shiitake, black trumpets, morels, and black fungus. Black trumpets (Craterellus fallax) are native to eastern North America and are known for their trumpet-shaped fruiting bodies, while shiitake mushrooms, a staple in Chinese cuisine, have a complex, buttery taste and an umbrella-shaped cap. Morels, which are commonly used in soups and pasta dishes, are prized for their meaty texture and earthy, nutty flavor, and black fungus, or wood ear mushrooms, are popular in Asian cuisine and traditional Chinese medicine due to their nutritional benefits and neutral taste.
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What You'll Learn
Black mushrooms in Chinese cuisine
Black fungus, also known as cloud ear or tree ear fungus, is an edible mushroom that is commonly used in Chinese cuisine. It is known for its jelly-like consistency and distinct chewiness. Black fungus is typically sold dry and must be soaked and cooked thoroughly before consumption. It is often added to soups and has a neutral taste, allowing it to absorb the flavours of the dish. In traditional Chinese medicine, black fungus has been used to treat various conditions, including jaundice and sore throats. It is also believed to have immune-enhancing and antimicrobial properties, as well as offering potential health benefits such as liver protection, lowered cholesterol, and improved gut health.
Another type of black mushroom is the eastern black trumpet (Craterellus fallax), which is native to eastern North America. This mushroom is part of the Cantharellaceae family and is sought-after for its delectable flavour. Black trumpets are versatile and can be used in dishes such as creamy pasta, stir-fries, and wild rice. They are also said to have a more intense flavour when dehydrated.
The old man of the woods (Strobilomyces spp.) is another black mushroom that is edible but not considered a "choice edible" by foragers due to its mild taste. It is best harvested young and used in stir-fries and sautés.
Morels are small black mushrooms with a meaty texture and an earthy, nutty, and slightly smoky flavour. They are commonly used in soups, stews, sautés, stir-fries, and pasta dishes. It is important to note that morels should always be thoroughly cooked before consumption to avoid any potential gastrointestinal issues or neurological symptoms.
Black mushrooms offer a range of culinary and medicinal benefits, making them a valuable ingredient in Chinese cuisine and traditional medicine.
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Black trumpets
While the eastern black trumpet mushroom is the most common variety, there are several other species that fall under the general term "black trumpet". These include the Fragrant Trumpet (Craterellus foetidus), the Cerulean Black Trumpet (Craterellus caeruleofuscus), the California Black Trumpet, and the European species (Craterellus cornucopioides). The European variety was once believed to be the same species as the North American one, but recent analyses have shown that they are distinct.
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Old man of the woods
The Old Man of the Woods (Strobilomyces spp.) is a group of similar-looking species of mushrooms that exist across the forested, temperate regions of Europe, North America, and limited areas of Central and East Asia. They are edible mushrooms with a greyish-black, shaggy cap and stalk, and white flesh that bruises coral-red and then black. They are characterised by their cushion-shaped cap, which becomes flat, and their woolly, shaggy texture.
The Old Man of the Woods is a distinctive mushroom that grows in ones and twos, never in clumps, under conifers and hardwoods in Eastern North America. They are often found in deciduous forests in the summer, typically growing with oak. They are delicate mushrooms and relatively rare, so foragers should take care when collecting them.
The taste of the Old Man of the Woods is described by some as foul, musty, or moldy. However, others have described the taste as earthy, with a slight smokey flavour and a chewy texture. The mushroom is also known to turn accompanying food dark, so this should be considered during cooking and plating.
If you are planning to cook with the Old Man of the Woods, it is recommended to harvest them young before the pores turn black, and while the mushroom is still firm. They are best suited for stir-fries and sautés with garlic, onions, and firm vegetables.
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Black morels
It is important to note that black morels should always be cooked before consumption as raw or undercooked morels can cause gastrointestinal issues and neurological symptoms. While the presence of hydrazine-based mycotoxins in morels is controversial, there may be other unknown toxins present that are destroyed through cooking.
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Black fungus
In traditional Chinese medicine, black fungus has been used to alleviate symptoms of various conditions, including jaundice and sore throats. Additionally, it has been studied for its potential immune-enhancing, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. For example, one test-tube study showed that black fungus inhibited the activity of beta-secretase, an enzyme that releases toxic beta-amyloid proteins linked to Alzheimer's disease. Another rat study suggested that black fungus may help protect the liver from damage caused by certain substances.
It is important to note that while black fungus purchased from commercial suppliers is generally safe, further studies are needed to fully understand its effects on human health.
One notable variety of black mushroom is the eastern black trumpet mushroom (Craterellus fallax), native to eastern North America. It is a sought-after edible mushroom with a distinctive black, trumpet-shaped fruiting body that is hollow and deeply vase-shaped. Young mushrooms are more tubular, while older ones develop a more distinct, funnel-shaped cap with margins that roll under.
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Frequently asked questions
Black mushrooms, also called shiitake mushrooms, are a staple ingredient in Chinese cuisine. They are sold fresh but are more commonly purchased dried. The mushrooms have been used for their health benefits in traditional Asian healing systems for centuries.
Examples of black mushrooms include the eastern black trumpet mushroom, the black morel, and the old man of the woods.
Black mushrooms are high in fiber and loaded with many essential vitamins and minerals such as potassium, calcium, phosphorus, folate, and magnesium. They also contain antioxidants and prebiotics, which may enhance your immune response and lower cholesterol.
