Silver ear fungus (Tremella fuciformis) is an edible, gelatinous white mushroom native to East Asia. Its name literally combines 银 (yín), meaning 'silver', and 耳 (ěr), meaning 'ear' — a vivid description of its silvery-white, ear-shaped fruiting body when fresh or rehydrated. Though often called 'wood ear' in English, it is botanically distinct from the darker, tougher Auricularia species (黑木耳). It has no strong flavor but absorbs surrounding tastes well and develops a delicate, slightly crunchy-yet-jellylike texture when cooked.

This fungus is highly valued in traditional Chinese medicine and cuisine for its purported moisturizing and nourishing properties, especially for skin and lungs. It’s commonly used in sweet soups (e.g., with goji berries and rock sugar), braised dishes, or cold salads. Dried silver ear is widely available in Asian markets and must be soaked before use; its volume expands significantly during hydration.