Snow Fungus Soup with Pears (冰糖银耳炖雪梨) is a Chinese dessert soup usually served on special occasions like Chinese New Year. Snow fungus and pear sweet soup is a common dessert in most Chinese families. This dessert is good for treating dry cough as snow fungus helps to nourish the body, lungs, and stomach, and because red dates contain loads of vitamins. It is very quick and easy to prepare this nourishing dessert by simply simmering the ingredients for 30 minutes. It is very refreshing to serve this sweet soup chilled and it quenches thirst, especially in our humid weather.
Ingredients that you will need
The main ingredients are, you guessed it, snow fungus, pears, red dates, wolfberries, and rock sugar.
- Snow Fungus: Snow fungus, also known as ‘white wood ear’ is a natural tree fungus. You’re probably more familiar with the more common wood ear fungus which is a dark brown color. Snow fungus is a naturally sweet ingredient that tends to detoxify the body and replenish energy. It can also cure coughs and is said to be anti-inflammatory as well. Both these properties play a role in reducing inner body heat, also known as yang.
- Pears: The addition of pear in the soup provides benefits such as micronutrients which are important for cardiovascular health. Pears are also used in Chinese cooking for their moistening and cooling effect. Snow fungus and pear soup is a great way to counter hot weather during the summer months.
- Rock Sugar: You can also use white sugar, however, we prefer the sweet taste of rock sugar which taste more natural and sometimes like honey.
- Woftberries & Red Dates: They are often associated with the ability to ‘calm the mind’. These dates contain saponin which is a natural ‘sleep promoter’. Low doses of these powerful fruits help ease anxiety and calm the nerves. Other than the benefit, it will provide some natural sweetness to the drink.
Preparations of Snow Fungus
You can find dried snow fungus in Chinese grocery stores. It will have to be soaked overnight prior to cooking, so a little bit of advanced planning is required for this recipe.
Soak white fungus in a bowl of hot water (covered) for about half an hour, then carefully discard the water. The white fungus should be puffed up and turned a whiter shade. Using a pair of kitchen scissors, trim and discard the dark yellow hard part on the center underside of the fungus. Cut the rest of the fungus into smaller pieces.
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Snow Pear White Fungus Soup
Ingredients
2-3 Asian pears
1 cup dried snow fungus
2 tbsp dried goji berries
¼ cup Chinese red dates/jujubes
8 cups water
rock sugar to taste
Methods
- Soak the dried snow fungus in a bowl of hot water for 30 minutes or overnight until they become rehydrated and soft.
- While the fungus is soaking, clean and peel the pears before removing the core and slicing them into bite-sized chunks. Rinse off the goji berries and Chinese red dates as well.
- When the snow fungus has softened, remove the hard slightly darker bottom center of the fungus using a pair of scissors. Then cut the fungus into bite-sized pieces.
- After, add the water to a large pot and bring it to a boil. Then add in the snow fungus and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for 30 minutes.
- Once 30 minutes have passed, add the remaining ingredients. Add in the rock sugar depending on your preference for sweetness.
- Let the soup simmer for another 5 to 10 minutes or until the pears become soft and tender.
- Snow fungus and pear soup are best served hot. Enjoy!
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