Chinese mushrooms are very popular not only in traditional national cuisine, but also in other countries. They are s alted, dried, stuffed and stewed. Mushrooms can be bought in the supermarket, most often they are sold in pressed form. In order for them to increase in volume, they must be filled with water and left for about an hour. After that, you can rinse and start cooking.
Many people are suspicious of these mushrooms because they don't know how to cook them properly. In their original form, they are a sticky briquette. But after soaking, it easily turns into familiar mushrooms.
Tree mushrooms
Chinese tree fungus, also called cloud ears, is widely used in cuisines of different countries. It is thin and brittle, so it looks like pieces of charred paper. If you pull the ears out of the bag, you can feel the aroma, reeking of smoke. But it disappears completely, one has only to soak the mushrooms.
Tree ears are used to make soups, fried and steweddishes. They are crispy and have a smooth surface. After soaking, mushrooms increase approximately 7 times. When the ears swell, you need to rinse them and put them in a colander.
Before cooking, thoroughly clean them from dirt and debris, remove tough roots. Do not cut the ears too small, just divide into separate parts, keeping the shape.
Where the tree fungus grows
Chinese mushrooms can be found not only on trees, but also on cellulose and other materials. It is easy to recognize them: they have large and fleshy caps, and the legs can be short or long. The color of the cap depends on the type of mushroom and the environment in which it grows. Young ears are gray-blue in color, and with age they become light brown.
Whatever the shades of the hat, the flesh of this mushroom is always white. They taste like seafood, and their texture is smooth and soft.
Is tree fungus he althy?
All parts of the ears that can be eaten are not only delicious, but also he althy. They are rich in vitamins B and C, and also contain a large amount of protein. They contain all the trace elements that a person needs.
Chinese tree fungus is especially useful for such diseases:
- Anemia.
- Hypertension, obesity and diabetes.
- With increased levels of acidity and cholesterol.
- With reduced immunity.
How to cook a mushroom?
Wood ears should not be cooked on high heat or, conversely, on too low. This will cause them to become either stiff or sluggish. The broth should boil for about 15-25 minutes, depending on the size of the mushroom.
In order not to drown out the taste, it is not recommended to put hot spices and heavily s alt the dish. Ears go well with vegetables, onions, greens and an apple.
Chinese black mushroom (muer)
This species is very useful, it is rich in iron, protein and vitamins. You can cook with the addition of dates or lotus seeds. Black Chinese mushrooms are tender and silky, yet slightly crunchy.
Muer can be eaten as noodles. To do this, you need to cut them, and then fry, stew or add to the broth. Whole mushrooms can be stuffed. To make them swell, it is not enough just to fill them with water.
How to prepare muer for cooking?
First of all, Chinese mushrooms should be cleaned of debris and washed in cold water. After that, you need to pour warm water and leave for a couple of hours. Then you need to sort them out and again lower them into cold water. On the bottom shelf in the refrigerator, they should stand for a couple of days. After time, the mushroom will open up and become about 10 times larger than its original size, and also acquire the desired softness.
Shiitake mushroom
This species is considered a delicacy and is grown on specially treated tree stumps. Due to its pleasant aroma, delicate texture and unusual taste, shiitake mushrooms are very popular. The photo will help you figure out how theylook.
Dark brown lamellar cap reaches a diameter of 5-20 cm has a beautiful pattern that creates thickening and cracks. In young mushrooms, the stem is protected by a plate. It breaks when spores ripen. The most delicious mushrooms are those whose cap size does not exceed 5 cm. They should be 70% open, with a dark brown, velvety color.
Shiitake in medicine
These mushrooms are used not only in cooking, but also for medical purposes. Even in ancient times, their properties were noticed, which have a positive effect on male power.
A large number of vitamins and useful components contained in the mushroom lower cholesterol, blood sugar, purify the blood, relieve tumors and have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the body as a whole.
Shiitake mushrooms, photos of which convey their beauty and appetizing appearance, are also used for viral diseases, immunodeficiency, stress, constant fatigue, depression, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and blood vessels. Chinese doctors believe that regular use of this mushroom prolongs life.
Shiitake is used for cosmetic purposes, as it regenerates epithelial cells and treats various skin diseases.
Shiitake mushroom in cooking
This product is considered versatile as it blends well with other ingredients without overpowering them. The characteristic caramel flavor gives dishes an unusual flavor.
You can cook these mushrooms according to various recipes, there are a lot of them. Shiitake goes well with vegetables, noodles and meat. If you grill them, it is better to choose those mushrooms that have hats with a large diameter.
Are there any contraindications?
Shiitake should be used with caution as they can cause allergic reactions. They should be introduced into the diet in small portions, as they contain bioactive substances. It is better for women in position and nursing mothers to refrain from dishes that are prepared with the addition of these mushrooms.
Although the benefits of shiitake are undeniable, you should consume no more than 200 grams of fresh or 18 grams of dried shiitake per day.
Lingzhi mushrooms
They have great healing power, so their price is quite high. It is difficult to grow Chinese lingzhi mushroom, they grow only on the trunk of a wild plum tree and under certain weather conditions. Today, this Chinese mushroom is also used for cosmetic and medical purposes.
Properties and composition
"Mushroom of Immortality" has a rich chemical composition and contains amino acids, vitamins, minerals and fatty acids, which are indispensable for humans. Lingzhi pulp has antihistamine and anti-allergic effects, and also improves oxygen absorption. Thanks to terpenoids, the mushroom increases resistance to stress and prevents free radicals from accumulating in the body.
The Chinese mushroom is also used in cosmetology. The photo will help to recognize lingzhi. It improves metabolic processes, stimulates tissue regeneration,slows down the aging process and has a rejuvenating effect. Based on it, special face masks are prepared, which are very popular with girls and women.
Lingzhi boosts immunity and prevents autoimmune diseases. It is effective for bronchial asthma, viral infections, disorders of the cardiovascular system and the musculoskeletal system.
Chinese mushrooms are used to obtain extracts. They are extremely popular, as the positive result is noticeable after the first use.
