石耳 - 峭壁之花 Rock Tripe – The King of Mushrooms

石耳一般多產於中國安徽省黃山, 而黃山山高林密, 山上山下溫差大, 一般在5至10月間採摘。而登山者必須隨身攜带粗麻繩和特製竹筐等物品, 攀懸岩, 登陡壁, 當找到石耳後, 便要選擇下山的地點, 將粗麻繩一端繫在山頂大樹上或穿在山岩石孔中, 一端拴在自己身上, 由此下放到三四十丈的深谷中去採摘, 難度非常高。

Rock Tripe (also known as Umbilicaria) generally produce in Huangshan Mountain, Anhui Province of China, the mountain is high with high-density forest; and the temperature is largely difference between the mountain-top and the down-mountain. The best months for the climbers to pick the Rock Tripe is from May to October. The climbers must carry rough ropes, special bamboo baskets and other items to climb the cliffs. When found the Rock Tripe, they have to choose the downhill location; one end of the rope tied to the tree at the top of the mountain or to interlace among rock crevices in the mountain, another end of the rope tied to their own body, then to lower down to thirty or forty feet deep into the valley to pick, the difficulty is very high.

石耳含有高蛋白和多種微量元素, 是一種稀有的名貴山珍。別名是石木耳、岩菇、石壁花。 因其形似耳, 並生長在懸崖峭壁陰濕石縫中而得名, 體扁平, 呈不規則圓形, 上面褐色, 背面被黑色絨毛。具有養陰潤肺、涼血止血、清熱解毒的功效。

Rock Tripe contains high protein and a variety of trace elements, is a rare delicacies from the mountains. It is also named as Stone Agaric, Rock mushroom, Rocky Cliff Flowers. The origin of the name is due to its shape looks like ears, and growth in the moistened stone joints of the cliffs. The shape is flat, irregular round shape, brown color on one side, black hair on the back side. Rock Tripe not only provide with the method of treating “Yin” (In Chinese philosophy medicine, “Yin” and “Yang”, the two opposing principles in nature) by reinforcing body fluid and nourishing the blood; but also to help cooling the blood for stop bleeding, as well as the effect of detoxification.

另外還有很多功效; 如對肺熱咳嗽、肺燥乾咳、胃腸有熱、便秘下血、頭暈耳鳴、冠心病、高血壓等均有良好的食療效果。 對身體虛弱、病後體弱的滋補效果最佳。近代研究石耳有明顯抗癌作用。

In addition, there are many other healing effects; such as Hyperactivity cough, dry cough, stomach heat, constipation, giddiness and tinnitus, coronary heart disease, high blood pressure and so on. To the poor health of those sick person also have good therapeutic effect. According to Modern research, Rock Tripe has obvious anti-cancer effect as well.

請注意 (Please pay attention):

黃山石耳, 形狀和木耳相似, 但比木耳大, 一年長不到幾公分, 一般需要六、七年才能長成。再加上採集困難之緣故, 其價格居高不下。而目前還沒聽說有人工栽培的品種。到中國黃山旅遊時, 不妨買些回家, 但要注意的是要分辨清楚, 不可與黑木耳等同視之, 因為它與黑木耳長得很像。 如需在下幫忙購買, 我亦樂意代購。

The shape of Huangshan Rock Tripe and Wood Ear (known as Auricularia auricula-judae (known as the Jew's ear, jelly ear) are similar, but larger than Wood Ear, grow a few centimeters a year, generally takes six or seven years to grow up. Due to the difficulty of picking the Rock Tripe, the price remains high. So far, I have not heard of artificial cultivars yet. Therefore, when traveling to Huangshan, highly suggesting to buy some to home, but please pay attention to distinguish clearly when purchasing due to the similarity between Rock Tripe and Wood Ear. If needed my help to purchase, I am more than happy to be the purchaser on behalf of you.

石耳因其自身無顯味, 所以製作菜餚須與鮮味原料搭配。

Since Rock Tripe has tasteless, it is better to make the dishes with umami ingredients.

石耳處理方法 (Rock Tripe process method):

石耳在用時需先用沸水, 加少許鹽泡發, 泡軟後輕輕揉搓, 將細沙除淨。然後磨去背面毛刺, 以免口感糙澀。

Soften Rock Tripe with salty hot water, soak gently and rubbing to clean the sand; then rub the hair on the black hair on the back side in order to avoid the rough taste.

作為健康主義者的我, 一款鹹及一款甜的簡單食譜推薦如下:

As being Healthiest, there's one salty and one sweet simple recipes recommended as follows:

石耳炒蛋 (Rock Tripe with scrambled egg):

1. 石耳處理方式: 請參考以上 “石耳食用前的處理”。

Rock Tripe process method: Please refer to the above “Rock Tripe process method”

2. 將雞蛋加少許水打成糊狀, 蔥切碎。

Stir the eggs with a little water, green onion chopped to mince.

3. 石耳處理後, 放入燒開的水後焯燙過涼, 瀝乾水分。

After above 1, boiling; wash and drain the water.

4. 油燒熱倒入蛋液炒熟。

Heat the oil and stir fry the above 2.

5. 然後加入蔥花和石耳翻炒。

Then add green onion and Rock Tripe to stir fry.

6. 加入鹽調味, 後再翻炒均勻關火。

Add seasoning to taste, then stir fry evenly until cooked, then serve.

石耳糖水 - 一人份 (Rock Tripe Dessert - one serving):

材料 : 石耳1朵、紅棗4 – 6顆、蓮子及桂圓肉一撮、枸杞少許

Ingredient: 1 piece of Rock Trip, 4 to 6 pieces of Red Date (or Red Jujube), a pinch of Lotus seed and Dried Longan Prlp, a little of Fructus Lycii.

1. 石耳處理方式: 請參考以上 “石耳食用前的處理”。

Rock Tripe process method: Please refer to the above “Rock Tripe process method”.

2. 石耳處理後, 放燉盅的鍋注滿水，把水煮沸。

After above 1, put into the stew spot filled with water and boil.

3. 洗淨以上材料後, 連同以上2一起燉三小時即可。

After clean the above ingredient, together with above 2 and boil in 3 hours, then serve.