Sea cucumber (dried)

海參

supports the kidneysnourishes bloodrelieves dryness益精高蛋白、低脂、低膽固醇

The dried body wall of the sea cucumber, a marine animal sold as hard, dark whole pieces that need two to five days of careful soaking and simmering to rehydrate. Once reconstituted it is gelatinous and springy with almost no flavour of its own, absorbing the taste of the soup while adding a rich, slippery body. It is usually added near the end of cooking so it does not dissolve.

TCM properties

Nature · neutral　Flavour · sweet、salty　Meridians · kidney

Traditional food therapy

In Cantonese food therapy it is used to fortify the kidneys, replenish blood and essence, and moisten dryness; it is also traditionally valued as a high-protein, low-fat tonic food.

Cautions — read first

Not suitable while you have a cold or diarrhoea
Check with your doctor if you take anticoagulant medication (its mucopolysaccharides have an anticoagulant action)
Avoid if you are allergic to seafood

Preparation

Rehydrating takes 2 to 5 days, changing the water daily and keeping it away from oil and salt. For soup use sea cucumber that is already rehydrated, and add it towards the end of the boil.

Origin · Geo-authentic (道地) source

遼寧大連（遼參／刺參最負盛名）；澳洲豬婆參亦為傳統貨源 — AU retail spans grocer grades ($40-58/100g) to premium spiky and Iceland wild lines; Australia also produces its own (豬婆參)

Availability in Australia

Herbal shops / specialists · A$39.96–252 / 100g
Grocer grades $39.96–57.96/100g (Umall 250g piece-count tiers $99.89–144.89; Golden Bag 80g $63.09); premium Fortune deep-sea black thorny 500g $368 and Iceland wild $215–252/100g; wide grade spread

Pairs well with

Fish maw (dried swim bladder)American ginseng Dried scallop (conpoy)Dried shiitake mushroom

Soups that use this ingredient · 1

Double-boiled chicken with sea cucumberA$11–119

海參燉雞

supports the kidneysnourishes yinnourishes blood3.5h slow fireAutumnWinterAll year

百子櫃Sea cucumber (dried)· 1 to 2, already soaked and reconstituted街市Fresh chicken (whole or half)· half a bird百子櫃Dried scallop (conpoy)· 3街市Fresh ginger· 2 slices百子櫃Dried longan flesh· 8 g (2 mace)百子櫃Red jujube date· 2

“The pot she makes when someone needs looking after.”