ABSTRACT
Long known in China for its medicinal and tonic effects, the white jelly fungus or “silver ear” mushroom, Tremella fuciformis Berk., has also been used as a special luxury food item. It was very expensive as long as its only source was mushrooms growing on wood logs collected in the wild, but the advent of culture techniques has made it more available, and, although Tremella still commands a high price, it is no longer restricted to the very wealthy. Its greatest appeal is to people in China, Japan, and other Asian countries and to Asians residing in other parts of the world.
