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Wood Ear Mushrooms Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to wood ear mushrooms
About wood ear mushrooms
Wood ear mushrooms are a unique yet delicious type of consumable fungi that go by several names, including jelly ear mushrooms, black mushrooms, or the more scientific name, Auricularia Auricula-judae. Wood ear mushrooms stand out from other mushroom varieties because of their crumbly texture, dark color, and fascinating appearance. Unlike other mushrooms, wood ear mushrooms don't have a cap or stem. They grow into an ear-like shape, hence their unique nickname.
How to pick out wood ear mushrooms
Wood ear mushrooms are a cool to cold weather species, found in early winter or mid-fall, and again during early spring and throughout the winter in southern climates. If you get a similar-looking mushroom during the summer, it is likely a Tremella species, not Auricularia Auricula.
Wood ear mushrooms only grow on wood and can be found on either living trees or dead wood. They grow in lap-striking clusters, overlapping each other. They're translucent, with a medium to dark brown color. When they wither, they change to a black color.
A typical feature of wood ear mushrooms is their jelly-like texture and thin sides. Another interesting feature is that this mushroom doesn't compress easily. It maintains its form unless pressed tightly, yet it folds smoothly. If you get a mushroom that is more of a shapeless blob that folds easily, then it's likely a Tremella. If you get a mushroom that is non-liquid or that doesn't fold in half easily without breaking, you have some species of cup fungi.
How to tell when wood ear mushrooms have gone bad
Knowing when your mushrooms have gone bad is crucial if you're making them a routine part of your diet. As with almost every kind of fresh food, your senses are the best tool when it comes to discovering a sour mushroom. Smell, touch, and sight can help determine whether you should consume your fungi. If your wood ear mushrooms have any of the following characteristics, they should probably be discarded:
- Scent: Mushrooms produce a rather pungent, ammonia-like smell when they are past their prime. They may also smell fishy if they're going bad. Fresh wood ear mushrooms should have a familiar earthy scent.
- Stickiness: Wood ear mushrooms should be moderately dry to the touch, so they should be thrown away if they have a sticky residue.
- Darkness: Turn your mushrooms over and look at the coat. Any darkening of the ears is a sure sign of decay starting to occur. If you spot this in your wood ear mushrooms, it is time to get rid of them.
- Spots: If you can notice dark spots on your mushrooms, they are likely beginning to spoil. In some cases, these might be stains. It's good to check your wood ear mushrooms before refrigerating so you can easily recognize any changes.
- Wrinkles: Fungi that have gone bad can dry out, wrinkle, or get a slippery coating. If your mushroom's coat isn't smooth or shows signs of withering, it's time to purchase fresh wood ear mushrooms.
To save time, select the wood ear mushrooms you want on the Instacart app. Add the number of mushrooms you need to your cart, and an Instacart shopper will shop for your order. We'll aim to deliver in as little as 2 hours when you order via Instacart!
Wood Ear Mushrooms Near Me
Buy your favorite Wood Ear Mushrooms online with Instacart. Order Wood Ear Mushrooms from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.
FAQs about wood ear mushrooms
Plenty of recipes are out there for both fresh and dried wood ear mushrooms, making it easy to enjoy these mouth-watering edible fungi. Here are several simple recipes to help you get started:
- Wood Ear Mushroom Ramen
- Wood Ear Mushroom Salad
- Bean Sprout and Wood Ear Mushroom Stir-Fry
- Chicken and Wood Ear Mushroom Soup
Yes! Wood ear mushrooms are an excellent source of vitamin B as well as iron, magnesium, and copper. They have also been thought to have anti-inflammatory benefits.
Preserving wood ear mushrooms properly gives them the best chance for staying fresh longer. Here are a few tips to keep your mushrooms from spoiling too quickly:
- Keep wood ear mushrooms away from moisture.
- Wrap the mushrooms in an airtight container or plastic bag to reduce exposure to air.
- Place kitchen paper inside a container with the mushrooms. The paper will absorb the moisture from the mushrooms.
- Freeze your wood ear mushrooms by putting them in a zip-top bag and storing them in the freezer.
Fungi are delicate and need to be consumed as soon as possible, so purchase them on the day you intend to use them. Quickly use any leftover mushrooms to avoid any instance of food-borne diseases.