How long is the best time to soak fungus

The soaking time of black fungus is generally 2-3 hours, and the actual time is affected by factors such as water temperature, variety of black fungus, and consumption needs.

If the soaking time of fungus is too short, it may lead to a harder texture, affecting the taste and digestion absorption. When soaking in cold water, it is recommended to completely immerse the dried fungus. This can be shortened to 1-2 hours in summer and extended to 3-4 hours in winter. During the soaking process, check the condition every hour until the fungus is fully stretched and has a flexible texture. If you need to soak hair quickly, you can soak it in water at 30-40 ℃ for 20-30 minutes, but high temperatures can damage some water-soluble vitamins.

Some thick meat varieties of Auricularia auricula, such as Autumn Auricularia auricula, need to extend the soaking time to more than 4 hours, while thin slice varieties, such as Yun'er, can be soaked for 1-2 hours. Attention should be paid to the possibility of bacterial growth and the production of toxins such as glycolytic acid if the soaking environment temperature exceeds 25 ℃ or the soaking time exceeds 8 hours. After soaking, the wrinkles and impurities should be thoroughly cleaned. If any mucus or odor is found, it should be discarded immediately.

It is recommended to choose high-quality fungus that is free from mold and has fewer impurities, and cook it as soon as possible after soaking. Cold mixed black fungus should be fully soaked and blanched to kill bacteria. When stir frying, a small amount of soaking water can be retained to enhance the freshness. Storing soaked black fungus should be drained of water and refrigerated. It should be consumed within 24 hours to avoid repeated freezing and thawing. Special groups such as those with weak digestive function can cut the fungus finely or prolong the stewing time.