Snow Fungus Soup with Pears

Prep time: 10 minutes (plus 30 mins rehydration)

Cook time: 1 hour

Total time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Servings: 4

Country of Origin

China (Nationwide / Traditional Chinese Medicine inspired)

Description

A soothing, gelatinous sweet soup beloved for its health benefits. It features white wood ear mushrooms cooked down until they melt into a naturally thick, collagen-rich broth, paired with sweet, crisp Asian pears, rock sugar, and bright red goji berries.

Presentation & How It's Eaten

Served warm or chilled in delicate glass bowls, showcasing the contrasting textures of the crinkly white fungus and pale pear cubes.

Ingredients

• 1 large dried snow fungus blossom (white wood ear)

• 1 large Asian pear or Ya pear (peeled, cored, and cubed)

• 50g yellow rock sugar

• 1 tbsp goji berries

• 4 dried red dates (jujubes, pitted)

• 5 cups water

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Rehydrate Fungus: Submerge the dried snow fungus in a large bowl of warm water for 30 minutes until it swells into a massive, translucent crinkly bloom.

2. Trim Fungus: Lift the fungus out. Use kitchen shears to cut away and discard the tough, dark orange circular core at the base. Tear the soft, ruffled white fronds into small, bite-sized florets.

3. First Simmer: Bring 5 cups of water to a boil in a pot. Add the torn snow fungus florets and pitted red dates. Lower the heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 40 minutes. The liquid will slowly turn slippery and gelatinous.

4. Add Pears: Toss the cubed Asian pear pieces and yellow rock sugar into the pot. Cover and continue to simmer for another 15 minutes until the pear cubes turn translucent and soft but retain their shape.

5. Finish with Goji: Stir in the goji berries during the last 5 minutes of cooking so they plump up without breaking apart or turning sour. Eat warm or chill in the fridge.

Cooking Tips

• Low and Slow: If your snow fungus soup looks like thin water after cooking, you didn't simmer it long enough. The white fungus must be slow-simmered for at least 40 minutes on low heat to break down its cellular membranes, releasing its natural plant-based gelatins to create that iconic, luxurious mouthfeel.

Nutrition Facts

(Estimated per serving)

• Calories: ~90 kcal

• Total Fat: 0.1g

• Saturated Fat: 0g

• Cholesterol: 0mg

• Sodium: 10mg

• Total Carbohydrates: 22g

• Dietary Fiber: 2g

• Protein: 1g