White Wood Ear / Snow Fungus

Snow fungus (Tremella fuciformis), also called the “snow mushroom” or “white wood ear”, is a gelatinous fungus remarkable for its appearance: dried, it forms brittle yellowish-white florets; rehydrated, it turns gelatinous, translucent, almost as transparent as a flower of white silk, and multiplies its volume tenfold.

Cultivated on bamboo logs or in bioreactors in southern China, it is one of the treasures of Cantonese cookery.

Its Chinese name Yin Er translates literally as “silver ear”, as against its cousin Mu Er, “black ear” (Auricularia).

A fine and precious ingredient of the Chinese table.

The reference mushroom-herb for enriching the Yin of the Metal Phase and moistening inner dryness.

Traditionally used for constitutions of deficient Yin with moderate dryness, or simply for the pleasure of a dessert of the supplementing register.

A herb of the imperial Chinese culinary tradition — it figured on the emperors’ table.

• Advance rehydration: soak for 30 minutes to 1 hour in lukewarm water until the fungus turns supple again, then remove the hard base
• Cantonese Tang Shui: the traditional sweet soup: tremella simmered for 1 h with Lian Zi, Hong Zao (jujube), Long Yan Rou and rock sugar — an imperial dessert of the supplementing register
• Savoury soups: added to vegetarian broths or with chicken, simmered for 30 minutes — the gelatinous texture is prized
• The 2-piece format: one piece is generally enough for a large pan (4 to 6 people)

A mushroom approachable by most constitutions. To be used in moderation in cases of already very loose stools from deficient Yang.