Chinese black mushrooms:
http://img.hisupplier.com/var/userImages/old/zhennong/zhennong$221105320.jpg

Shiitake:
<http://pro.corbis.com/images/42-16041177.jpg?size=572&uid=%7BFE569254-A74F-41FC-9AF7-1AFB89A83640%7D>

The latter look fresh, but the dried version looks similar--just
less succulent.

These are kind-of stereotypical photos that depict the visual
aspect of my problem. I also find the taste to be dissimilar.
--
Jean B.

On Jan 13, 8:08*am, "Jean B." > wrote:
> Chinese black mushrooms:http://img.hisupplier.com/var/userImages/old/zhennong/zhennong$221105...
>
> Shiitake:
> <http://pro.corbis.com/images/42-16041177.jpg?size=572&uid=%7BFE569254...>
>
> The latter look fresh, but the dried version looks similar--just
> less succulent.
>
> These are kind-of stereotypical photos that depict the visual
> aspect of my problem. *I also find the taste to be dissimilar.
> --
> Jean B.

==============================================
I don't think the first ones are "Chinese black mushrooms at all -
they look like a variety of cremini The caps are "closed". The
"shitake"mushrooms photo looks too "yellow" Every shitake I have seen
or eaten (fresh or dried) was brown and cream colored.

I always think of Chinese black mushrooms as being "cloud ears" or
"tree ears" Very dark brown or black, flat, thin and sliced
julieinne. A must for hot and sour soup. They are the only mushroom I
detest. Like eating tasteless gristle.

Lynn from Fargo
probably wrong, but I'll ask my cute little Asian grocer ;-)

Lynn from Fargo wrote:
> On Jan 13, 8:08 am, "Jean B." > wrote:
>> Chinese black mushrooms:http://img.hisupplier.com/var/userImages/old/zhennong/zhennong$221105...
>>
>> Shiitake:
>> <http://pro.corbis.com/images/42-16041177.jpg?size=572&uid=%7BFE569254...>
>>
>> The latter look fresh, but the dried version looks similar--just
>> less succulent.
>>
>> These are kind-of stereotypical photos that depict the visual
>> aspect of my problem. I also find the taste to be dissimilar.
>> --
>> Jean B.
>
> ==============================================
> I don't think the first ones are "Chinese black mushrooms at all -
> they look like a variety of cremini The caps are "closed". The
> "shitake"mushrooms photo looks too "yellow" Every shitake I have seen
> or eaten (fresh or dried) was brown and cream colored.
>
> I always think of Chinese black mushrooms as being "cloud ears" or
> "tree ears" Very dark brown or black, flat, thin and sliced
> julieinne. A must for hot and sour soup. They are the only mushroom I
> detest. Like eating tasteless gristle.
>
> Lynn from Fargo
> probably wrong, but I'll ask my cute little Asian grocer ;-)

Cloud ears/wood ears are totally different. I went back and got
some fresh Chinese black mushrooms from the Oriental store plus a
few shiitakes, and I'll try to get a decent pic tomorrow. Of
course, then I need to find a place to post it.

--
Jean B.

In article >,
"Jean B." > wrote:

> Cloud ears/wood ears are totally different. I went back and got
> some fresh Chinese black mushrooms from the Oriental store plus a
> few shiitakes, and I'll try to get a decent pic tomorrow. Of
> course, then I need to find a place to post it.

<http://www.tinypic.com>
--
Peace! Om

"Any ship can be a minesweeper. Once." -- Anonymous

Omelet wrote:
> In article >,
> "Jean B." > wrote:
>
>> Cloud ears/wood ears are totally different. I went back and got
>> some fresh Chinese black mushrooms from the Oriental store plus a
>> few shiitakes, and I'll try to get a decent pic tomorrow. Of
>> course, then I need to find a place to post it.
>
> <http://www.tinypic.com>

Thanks. Assuming I don't crash, I'll keep that site on my screen.

--
Jean B.

"Jean B." > wrote:

> Chinese black mushrooms:
> http://img.hisupplier.com/var/userImages/old/zhennong/zhennong$221105320.jpg
>
> Shiitake:
> <http://pro.corbis.com/images/42-16041177.jpg?size=572&uid=%7BFE569254-A74F-41FC-9AF7-1AFB89A83640%7D>
>
> The latter look fresh, but the dried version looks similar--just
> less succulent.
>
> These are kind-of stereotypical photos that depict the visual
> aspect of my problem. I also find the taste to be dissimilar.

I'm pretty convinced that they're the same mushroom, and that the
top picture there is not Chinese black mushroom.

They only have two different names because they're used in two
different cuisines.

-sw

Sqwertz wrote:
> "Jean B." > wrote:
>
>> Chinese black mushrooms:
>> http://img.hisupplier.com/var/userImages/old/zhennong/zhennong$221105320.jpg
>>
>> Shiitake:
>> <http://pro.corbis.com/images/42-16041177.jpg?size=572&uid=%7BFE569254-A74F-41FC-9AF7-1AFB89A83640%7D>
>>
>> The latter look fresh, but the dried version looks similar--just
>> less succulent.
>>
>> These are kind-of stereotypical photos that depict the visual
>> aspect of my problem. I also find the taste to be dissimilar.
>
> I'm pretty convinced that they're the same mushroom, and that the
> top picture there is not Chinese black mushroom.
>
> They only have two different names because they're used in two
> different cuisines.
>
> -sw

But they look and taste different. No, I haven't taken or posted
the pics. :-( But really, the fresh ones of each look exactly
like the pics I posted.

I remember subbing (mushrooms sold as) shiitakes for (mushrooms
sold as) black mushrooms and being pretty disappointed. I don't
know how to describe it. My feeble attempts are that the black
mushrooms have a fuller, richer flavor.

Of course, I should add that when I first went to Japan and there
encountered my first fresh shiitake mushrooms (obviously before
they were available here--at least in the Boston area), they were
quite a revelation. So, I am not anti-shiitake.

--
Jean B.