In the wild, Snow Mushrooms grow on dead branches, but in Asia they are also cultivated.With their ruffled edges, they look more like a white flower than a fungus, and they certainly don’t look like a mushroom. They grow in two colours, white and buff. Both varieties are identical aside from the colour. They produce their spores on the surface.
Snow Mushrooms are chewy and gelatinous, and have no flavour. They are used to thicken dishes, and act as a thickener.
Premium versions are sold dried in gift boxes or tinned in sugar syrup. Outside of Asia, they are sold dried.
Cooking Tips
Soak dried ones in hot water for 10 minutes. Cut off any woody material at the base of the mushroom.