Jew's Ear
Scientific name: Auricularia auricula-judae
Synonymes: Wood Ear Mushroom, Auricularia auricula-judae, Auricularia polytricha, Mu-Err
Distribution and habitat in nature:
Mainly on dead or diseased deciduous trees (birch, oak, elm, walnut, mango, most commonly on elder trees), rarely on spruce trees. Widely distributed throughout the world.
Ingredients: The mushroom contains many trace elements such as potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, silicon, and zinc. Many valuable proteins and other bioactive substances make it an interesting medicinal mushroom. However, it also contains many other beneficial ingredients, most of which have not yet been identified.
Suitable substrate: Wheat straw, hardwood (birch, beech, alder, elm, walnut, elderberry)
Usage:
Edible mushroom, medicinal mushroom
Auricularia, known in Asia as Mu-Err, has been used for more than 1,500 years as a popular ingredient in soups and as a medicine. It is valued in Asian cuisine for its crunchy texture and is used in traditional Chinese medicine to promote blood circulation, strengthen the immune system, and aid digestion.
This mushroom has also been known in Europe since the 16th century. In the past, it was recommended to prepare an essence by boiling Auricularia in milk and then soaking it in beer. The drink is said to be effective against sore throats.
Taxonomy:
Kingdom: Fungi
Class: Agaricomycetes
Subclass: uncertain position (inc. sed.)
Order: Auriculariales
Family: Auriculariaceae
Genus: Auricularia
Spores: 11–14 (17.5) x 4–6 µ, white, cylindrical to sausage-shaped.
Growing conditions:
Phase 1: Mycelium growth
Temperature: 24 - 30°C
Humidity: 90 - 95%
Duration: 25 - 40 days
CO2: >5,000 - 20,000 ppm
Fresh air exchange: 0 - 1 per hour
Light: not needed
Phase 2: Primordia formation / Fruiting initiation
Temperature: 12 - 20 °C
Humidity: 90 - 100%
Duration: 5 - 10 days
CO2: 600 - 1,000 ppm
Fresh air exchange: 5 - 8 per hour
Light: 500 - 1,000 lux
Phase 3: Fruiting and Harvest
Temperature: 21 - 30°C
Humidity: 85 - 90%
Duration: 5 - 7 days
CO2: 2,000 - 5,000 ppm
Fresh air exchange: 4 - 5 per hour
Light: 500 - 1,000 lux
Cropping cycle: Every 2 to 3 weeks for three to five flushes
