I totally understand. The first few times I tried cooking them, it was scary. Even though I am 100% sure, there's always a doubt, especially after you have just swallowed them, haha! It's best to know the poisonous look-alikes, which gives confidence in picking the edibles. Wood ears have a look-alike, but they grow in soil and face up, unlike wood ears that grow on wood and all face down. It is a safe mushroom to start with if planning on eating them. x