Jew's-ears is a name for a type of mushroom that has a rubbery texture and grows on trees. It is also known as wood ear, tree ear or jelly ear. The mushroom has an earthy taste and is commonly used in Asian cuisine. Other synonyms for Jew's-ears include Judas' ear, Judas' cap, and black fungus. The name Jew's-ears is considered offensive by some people and is believed to have originated from the mistaken belief that the mushroom was a symbol of Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus in the Bible. Nevertheless, the culinary use of the mushroom continues to be widespread.
