Desserts
Tremella, Snow Pear and Lotus Seed Dessert Soup
Tremella, snow pear and lotus seed dessert soup is an elevated version of the classic tremella-pear combo – with the addition of lotus seeds to calm the mind and soothe the spirit, creating a dual-action formula of "moistening dryness + calming the heart." The velvety, collagen-rich tremella wraps around the crisp sweetness of pear, while the floury, soft lotus seeds emerge as hidden gems throughout the amber-hued broth. Silky smooth, intensely gelatinous, sweet but not cloying – it's both a "liquid moisturizer" for dry autumn/winter days and a "natural tranquilizer" for restless, sleepless nights. One warm bowl soothes the lungs, settles the heart, and feels like a gentle internal healing spa for your weary body and mind.
Main Ingredients
- Dried tremella 1 piece
- Snow pear 1-2 pcs
- Dried lotus seeds(dehulled, core removed) 20g
- Rock sugar 30g
- Goji berries 10g
- Red dates (pitted) 3-5 pcs
- Water 1.8-2.2L
Steps
Place tremella in a bowl, cover with cold water (never hot). Soak for 2-3 hours until fully expanded. Trim the hard yellow root, then tear into tiny pieces (smaller pieces = more gelatin). Rinse and drain.
Soak dried lotus seeds in warm water for 1-2 hours. Check and remove any remaining green cores. Rinse and set aside. Fresh lotus seeds need no soaking – just rinse.
Scrub the pear with salt, rinse, and cut into 2cm chunks (skin on). If peeled, soak in lightly salted water to prevent browning, then drain.
Place shredded tremella into a clay pot with water (approx. 1.8L). Bring to a boil, then reduce to low heat, cover, and simmer for 40 minutes.
Add the soaked lotus seeds, pear chunks (and pear skins if reserved), and red dates. Continue simmering over low heat for 30-40 minutes until the lotus seeds are soft and floury, the pear turns translucent, the tremella fully releases its collagen, and the soup thickens.
In the last 5-8 minutes, add rock sugar and goji berries. Stir well to dissolve and rehydrate.
Remove and discard the cooked pear skins. Serve warm or chilled.
TCM Notes
Lung-moistening, yin-nourishing & beautifying: Tremella polysaccharides (60%-70%) lock in moisture for the skin；snow pear provides vitamin C and sorbitol to scavenge free radicals and boost collagen – together they hydrate from within. Heart-calming, mind-soothing & sleep-improving (new core benefit)：Lotus seeds act on the heart, spleen and kidney meridians. They contain liensinine and aromatic glycosides with sedative effects on the central nervous system, relieving insomnia, restlessness and frequent dreams；stachyose in lotus seeds also nourishes beneficial gut flora, indirectly improving sleep linked to digestive discomfort. Dryness-relieving, cough-soothing & thirst-quenching: Snow pear clears lung-heat and resolves phlegm (for dry coughs and itchy throats)；tremella nourishes lung-yin, alleviating nasal and throat dryness. Spleen-strengthening & anti-diarrheal: Lotus seeds are sweet and astringent – they help consolidate the intestines, improving chronic diarrhea and poor appetite caused by spleen deficiency. Immunity-boosting & anti-aging: Tremella polysaccharides enhance macrophage activity；lotus seeds are rich in multiple vitamins and minerals (calcium, phosphorus, potassium) – together they fight oxidative stress and delay cellular aging.
Suitable for：Those with dry, rough skin needing internal beauty care People with lung-dry coughs, dry throat, or prone to heatiness in autumn/winter Those suffering from insomnia, restlessness, frequent dreaming, or neurasthenia (core beneficiaries of lotus seeds) People with late-night habits, smokers, or working in AC/dry environments Menopausal women (nourishing yin, relieving hot flashes and irritability) Those with chronic diarrhea or poor appetite due to spleen deficiency People on a weight-loss plan who crave desserts (consume in moderation)
Not suitable for：Spleen-stomach deficiency-cold with dampness (use with caution!)：Symptoms include abdominal pain relieved by warmth, loose stools – tremella and pear are cool and moist, worsening cold-dampness. If consuming, add 3-5 ginger slices + 5 red dates to balance, limit to 1 small bowl (~150ml), and avoid long-term continuous use. Severe constipation or dry hard stools (use with caution! New critical note)：Lotus seeds are astringent and reduce intestinal moisture, worsening constipation. Such individuals should omit the lotus seeds and only consume tremella-pear soup. Wind-cold cough (Absolute contraindication!)：Deep cough with thin white phlegm, clear runny nose, chills without sweating – this soup is for "dry" and "heat" coughs only. Using it for wind-cold will trap pathogens. Diabetics (extreme caution)：Contains natural fructose and added rock sugar. Omit rock sugar entirely, rely solely on the pear's natural sweetness, limit to ≤100ml, and monitor blood glucose post-meal. Abdominal bloating or food stagnation: The astringent, starchy nature of lotus seeds may aggravate indigestion and gas. Acute diarrhea or enteritis: Tremella's laxative effect combined with lotus seed's astringency may cause discomfort during acute gut imbalance – wait until symptoms subside. Infants under 1 year old: The sticky texture poses a choking hazard, and lotus seeds contain alkaloids – their digestive systems are underdeveloped. Avoid.
