I’m not sure why the tree ear (Auricularia auricula) is considered edible and the black jelly roll (Exidia glandulosa) pictured below, is typically not.
But if COMA mentors Dianna Smith or Gary Lincoff say a mushroom is edible. I trust them.
I had to study this photo and compare it with the tree ear photos online to see the difference.
I added these to a home-made vegetable soup. The texture was fine and the flavor barely detectable.
From my point of view, there is a big difference between a mushroom that is boring, but edible and a mushroom that is toxic.
I finally found a tree ear to photograph:
I’m not sure I’d want to sit down to a plate full of Exidia glandulosa or Auricularia auricula, for that matter. But these jelly fungi are a pleasing addition to a slow-cooked soup.