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
Gutian in Fujian is the modern growing centre; the snow fungus of Tongjiang in Sichuan is the historic name product. AU stock is Chinese-brand packs; organic supermarket lines also seen
Availability in Australia
Easy to find
