How much is dried black fungus per jin? The premium producing areas and rehydration methods for the "meat of the vegetarian world"

Black fungus, also known as tree chicken, mulberry ear, wood fungus, and benjun, is a relatively common edible fungus in our country. It is deeply loved by people because it is rich in vitamins and various trace elements. At present, it is cultivated in most regions, and the price is a little expensive, so how much is dried black fungus per jin? Where is the best produced? How do you rehydrate it?

Latest price of dried black fungus:

The price of dried black fungus is generally around 20-80 yuan per jin. In fact, the price of black fungus varies by variety and quality. The cheapest bag-cultivated black fungus from open ground is more than about 20-50 yuan per jin, black fungus cultivated on oak log segments is about 30-80 yuan per jin, and the most expensive wild black fungus is about 100-200 yuan per jin. In addition, autumn fungus is generally more expensive, while summer fungus is cheaper.

Which place is best?

For black fungus, it is best to choose that produced in Northeast China. Northeast black fungus has the characteristics of thick flesh, delicious taste, large caps, and black color. It is an excellent product among black fungi.

1. Fresh black fungus is now sold on the market, but it is not recommended to buy and eat it. This is because fresh black fungus contains porphyrin-type photosensitive substances. After eating it, if it is exposed to sunlight, it can cause skin itching, edema, and other phenomena, and in severe cases it can even cause skin necrosis, posing a certain hazard to human health.

2. When making cold dressed black fungus, the blanched black fungus should be quickly soaked in cooled boiled water to cool it down; this can maintain the crisp texture of the black fungus. For shredded vegetables such as red pepper, just blanch them briefly in the boiling water used for the black fungus; do not blanch them for too long, and after blanching, also put them into cooled boiled water to cool.

3. Black fungus is relatively difficult to flavor, so it is recommended to mix it a few hours in advance so it can absorb the flavor.

Rehydration tips:

1. Place the black fungus in a fresh-keeping box and add warm water at 20-25°C.

2. It is best if the water just covers the black fungus. The amount of dried black fungus should be controlled to one third of the fresh-keeping box so that the black fungus has room to expand.

3. Cover it sealed with plastic wrap, and shake the fresh-keeping box up and down, left and right with one hand or both hands, maintaining a high-frequency shaking motion.

4. Ordinary dried black fungus can be rehydrated in 3 minutes, and larger dried black fungus can expand in 5 minutes.

1. Rehydrating black fungus in a microwave

Time needed: about 4 minutes.

Method: Put the black fungus into a larger container, then add an appropriate amount of water, cover with a lid, then heat on high power in the microwave for 4 minutes and take out the black fungus.

2. Rehydrating black fungus with hot water

Time needed: about 20 minutes.

Method: First prepare hot water, then add the dried black fungus. It is best to use a container with a lid to hold the black fungus. After adding hot water, cover with the lid for about 20 minutes.

Note: If you want a quicker method, you can put the dried black fungus into a fresh-keeping box and pour in warm boiled water, preferably enough to cover the black fungus, then soak for 5 minutes.

3. Rehydrating black fungus with salt water

Time needed: about 1 hour.

Method: Prepare warm boiled water, then add an appropriate amount of salt, stir evenly to make lightly salted water, and soak the dried black fungus in it. This can effectively remove sand and soil stuck to the black fungus, and finally rinse it clean with clear water.

4. Rehydrating black fungus with rice water

Time needed: about 4 hours.

Method: Put the black fungus into a basin, then soak the black fungus in freshly boiled rice water. This can make the black fungus plump, soft, and delicious.

5. Rehydrating black fungus with cold water

Time needed: about 6 hours.

Method: Put the black fungus directly into a basin, add cold water to completely soak the black fungus, leave it for about 6 hours, pour off the water, and take out the black fungus.

Note: If you want to use cold water and also reduce the soaking time somewhat, you might first put the black fungus into a small bottle, add an appropriate amount of water to the bottle, and shake it vigorously by hand.

Soak in hot water or cold water

Both warm water and cold water are fine. Soaking in warm water takes less time, and soaking in cold water takes longer; there is no other difference.

Soak and rehydrate with cold water (warm water may be used in winter). After 3-4 hours of soaking, the water slowly penetrates into the black fungus, and the black fungus returns to a semi-transparent state, which means it is ready. Black fungus rehydrated this way not only increases in quantity but is also good in quality. According to experts, cold water can make black fungus expand to 3.5-4.5 times its original volume; if warm water is used, it can only expand to 2.5-3.5 times. This method is also suitable for rehydrating white fungus.