Snow fungus - Photo by Alex Popovkin
Snow fungus (also White jelly mushroom) consists of white, gelatinous fruiting bodies, which measure about 7 centimeters. In the wild this fungus grows on dead tree branches. It is commercially cultivated and very popular in China, often used in soups or savory dishes. It has a crispy rubbery texture.
Names
Scientific
Tremella fuciformis
English
Silver ear fungus
Snow fungus
White jelly mushroom
Dutch
Sneeuw schimmel
Spanish
Hongo blanco
Hongo de la oreja plateada
Hongo gelatinoso blanco
French
Trémelle en fuseau
German
Silberohr
Taxonomy
Order
Tremellales
Family
Tremellaceae
Genus
Tremella
Species
Tremella fuciformis (Snow fungus)
Basic information and facts
Origin:
?
Distribution:
Very popular in China
Mushroom:
The white, gelatinous fruiting bodies measure about 7 centimeters. They have a crispy but rubbery texture.
Propagation:
Tremella fuciformis is a parasitic yeast and needs other fungi (such as Annulohypoxylon archeri)as it hosts. Cultivation requires a dual culture method where both fungi are inoculated on sawdust and then kept under optimal conditions.
Uses:
The fungus is sold fresh or dried. It is used in soups and savory dishes, especially in Chinese cuisine.
Crop categories
Minor crops
Mushrooms
Subtropical crops
Tropical crops
Pictures
Snow fungus - Photo by Alex Popovkin