Snow fungus

The dried fruiting body of the snow fungus (Tremella fuciformis), sold as pale crinkled rosettes that swell several times over when soaked. Long simmering melts its abundant gum into the liquid, giving sweet soups and tonics a silky, nest-like slip — the reason it is nicknamed the poor man's bird's nest.

TCM properties

Nature · neutral　Flavour · sweet、bland　Meridians · lung、stomach、kidney

Traditional food therapy

In Cantonese food therapy snow fungus is used to nourish yin, moisten the lungs and generate fluids for the stomach — the standby of autumn-dryness sweet soups.

Cautions — read first

• Take care if you have a wind-cold cough or loose stools.
• Left soaking too long at room temperature it can spoil (risk of bongkrekic acid poisoning); throw it out the moment it turns slimy or smells off, and soak it only when you are ready to use it.

Preparation

Soak in cold water for 20 to 30 minutes, cut off the hard base and tear it into small florets; soak it only when you are ready to use it.

Origin

福建古田為現代栽培中心；四川通江銀耳為歷史名產 — AU stock is Chinese-brand packs (Henghui, Goldfish); organic supermarket lines also seen

Availability in Australia

Common at Asian grocers · A$5.32–8.32 / 100g
Henghui Natural Snow Fungus 75g $4.29; Goldfish White Fungus Tremella 60g $4.99; Member's Mark Organic 250g $13.29

Pairs well with