Cordyceps flower (cultivated)
The bright orange fruiting body of cultivated Cordyceps militaris, farmed indoors on a grain substrate, a relative of, and soup-pot substitute for, wild caterpillar fungus (冬蟲夏草), not the same thing. Sold dried in fine wisps, it needs only a brief soak and the last half hour in the pot, tinting the soup gold and adding a light savoury sweetness.
TCM properties
Nature · neutral Flavour · sweet Meridians · lung、kidney
Traditional food therapy
In Cantonese food therapy cordyceps flower is used to support the lungs and kidneys, ease coughs and phlegm and benefit the liver, valued for being neither cooling nor drying.
Cautions: read first
- Not for anyone allergic to mushrooms, fungi or cordyceps.
- Not the time for tonic food while you have a cold or a fever.
Preparation
Soak the dried flowers for 10 to 15 minutes; add them in the last 30 minutes of the pot rather than boiling them a long time.
Origin
Grown indoors at scale across China (no wild geo-authentic source). AU stock is Chinese-brand dried packs
Availability in Australia
Easy to find
