By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, March 10: Have you ever heard or seen of a mushroom that resembles a human ear and when consumed, it is tasteless and crunchy with a rubber-like texture?
Because of this, the Iban have dubbed it ‘kulat lepik or ‘kulat pik’. For that reason, many locals are still not keen on consuming it like any other wild mushroom that we have in abundance in the woods. Some even said it is artificial and made from a gelatine substance.
This mushroom can be found in the woods, and if luck favours you, you might be able to spot them sprawling along deadwood or dead trees, especially during the wet season.
“You could spot this mushroom in nearby woods like my village during wet weather and with bright morning sunlight. But these days, this type of mushroom and others are getting less.
“Most areas near our house in the village are being sprayed with chemicals to get rid of grass, weeds, and pests, which I believe has affected the growth of these mushrooms,” lamented a vegetable seller when met at the farmer’s market recently.
“You can’t find this wild mushroom and other species at other stalls. I got mine from my supplier but was told they have to go further in the woods to look for it. Even then, it has become less,” she said.
She added that demand for the ear-like mushroom is there, with the price of one plate (of the mushroom) amounting to RM3.
“This mushroom can be mixed with many types of vegetables and made and mixed into many dishes. I also heard some farmers even grow these mushrooms on a small scale,” she said.
Thinking of what the vegetable seller had said brought back memories for this reporter when he and his cousin stumbled upon this mushroom, which was surprisingly plentiful among some broken dead rubber trees. The find was a hefty and tasty meal when mixed with other vegetables.
For most locals, the mushroom could be turned into a simple dish or broth.
This mushroom is packed with nutrients and sometimes made into capsule form available at selected pharmacies or online which also explains its popularity among locals. — DayakDaily
