19/12/2025
A lovely surprise on my morning walk!
I am into mushroom foraging and have a strategy of learning to identify 2-3 types of local mushrooms ‘accurately’ per year. So this is one of them for this year, jelly ears… I don’t think there’s another mushroom looking like it that would kill me!
We call them black wood ears (黑木耳). Black food nourishes the Kidney Energy, which dominates the winter time.
I also believe wild food has elevated energetics than cultivated food, especially if you pick it yourself with your own hands (and nearly fell off the tree!) 😄😄
Traditionally, black wood ears make wonderful cold appetiser by first boiling and slicing them, mixing with thinly sliced ginger. Add some grated garlic, a dash of soy sauce, sesame oil and vinegar… yum yum!
Today I’d like it warm, so into the slow cooker with mung beans and sweet potatoes, simmer til soft, before adding sugar of your choice and coconut cream to taste… yum yum!
Wood ears are said to be good for our body, full of iron, vitamins and fibre. They are supposed to thin your blood, unclog arteries and help you p**p!
Well, no need to think so hard… I pick them with gratitude and eat them because I enjoy it!
Happy wintering!
