Tree Fern Leather

Tree Fern Leather

　　Tree Fern Leather is a type of moss that grows on rocks and tree bark in Yunnan's primeval forests. It gets its name because it closely resembles frog skin. With a crisp texture, it is believed to have cooling, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties.

Tree Fern Leather has a mild flavor and neutral nature. Its taste is slightly bitter at first but becomes more fragrant the more you chew. It’s similar to wood ear mushrooms but harder and crunchier, and also a bit like cooked fish skin. When stir-fried with fresh meat, it turns out crisp and chewy. To prepare it, first wash the leather thoroughly, then briefly blanch it in boiling water before rinsing. Afterward, it’s ready to be stir-fried, stewed, or served in a cold salad. The resulting dishes are deliciously refreshing and rich with earthy, wild flavors.

When cooking, first blanch it in boiling water, then mix it with Yunnan’s specialty small chili peppers and distinctive local seasonings. At first glance, it looks like a big plate of frog-skin-like pieces covered with emerald-green patterns. The taste is sour and spicy, which may feel unusual to first-timers, but its texture is incredibly unique—a wonderfully expansive crispiness paired with a very special aroma. The longer you chew, the more lingering the fragrance becomes.