Desserts
Tremella and Snow Pear Dessert Soup (Yin Er Xue Li Geng)
Tremella and snow pear dessert soup is a classic "number one dryness-relief delicacy" bridging TCM dietary therapy and everyday sweet treats. Tremella, often hailed as "poor man's bird's nest," is thick, gelatinous and crystal-clear; snow pear is juicy, sweet and thirst-quenching. Slowly simmered together, they transform into an amber-hued nectar of unparalleled silkiness. The velvety, sticky tremella contrasts beautifully with the tender, crisp pear – sweet but not cloying, light yet deeply satisfying. More than just a dessert, it's a "liquid moisturizer" for dry autumn and winter days, and a "fire extinguisher" after late nights. Whether shared with family or savored alone in a small bowl, this gentle sweet soup offers the most comforting solace for both body and soul.
Main Ingredients
- Dried tremella mushroom 1 piece
- Snow pear 1-2 pcs
- Rock sugar 30g
- Goji berries 10g
- Red dates (pitted) 3-5 pcs
- Water 1.5-2L
Steps
Place the dried tremella in a large bowl, cover with cold water (never hot water, or the gelatinous texture won't develop). Soak for 2-3 hours until fully expanded and softened. Trim off the hard yellow root, then tear the tremella into tiny, small pieces (the smaller the pieces, the more gelatin you'll extract). Rinse and drain.
Scrub the pear with salt, rinse well, and cut into 2cm chunks (keeping the skin on). If peeled, soak chunks in lightly salted water to prevent browning, then drain before use.
Place the shredded tremella into a clay pot or electric stewing pot. Add water (approx. 1.8L). Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat, cover, and simmer for 40-50 minutes until the tremella softens and the liquid becomes slightly viscous.
Add the pear chunks (and pear skins if reserved) along with the red dates. Continue simmering over low heat for 20-30 minutes until the pear turns translucent and soft, the tremella fully releases its collagen, and the soup thickens into a honey-like consistency.
In the last 5-8 minutes, add rock sugar and goji berries. Stir well to dissolve the sugar and rehydrate the goji berries.
Use a spoon to remove and discard the cooked pear skins. Serve warm for a soothing treat or chilled for a refreshing dessert – both are delightful.
TCM Notes
Core effect – nourishing yin, moistening lungs & beautifying skin: Tremella is packed with polysaccharides (60%-70% of dry weight) with exceptional moisture-retention properties – effectively hydrating the skin and reducing wrinkles；snow pear provides vitamin C and sorbitol, which scavenge free radicals and promote collagen synthesis – together they hydrate the skin from within. Dryness-relieving, cough-soothing & thirst-quenching: Snow pear, cool in nature and sweet in taste, acts on the lung and stomach meridians – it clears lung-heat, resolves phlegm and relieves dry coughs and itchy throats；tremella nourishes lung-yin, effectively alleviating dry cough, nasal dryness and thirst caused by lung dryness. Immunity-boosting & anti-aging: Tremella polysaccharides enhance macrophage phagocytosis and promote lymphocyte transformation；the dietary fiber in tremella also stimulates intestinal peristalsis and aids detoxification. Collagen-like plant gel: While tremella's mucilage is not animal collagen, its mucopolysaccharide structure closely resembles hyaluronic acid – with excellent water-holding capacity and skin affinity, making it a natural plant-based "beauty agent." Mind-calming & sleep-promoting: Tremella contains various amino acids (including tryptophan) and minerals (magnesium, calcium) that soothe nerves and relieve stress, helping improve sleep quality.
Suitable for：Those with dry, rough, inelastic skin needing internal beauty support People with lung-dry coughs, dry throat/mouth, or prone to heatiness in autumn/winter Those with late-night habits, smokers, or working in AC/dry environments Menopausal women (nourishing yin, moisturizing dryness, relieving hot flashes and irritability) Individuals with low immunity or post-illness recovery needing gentle nourishment Those with a tendency toward constipation (tremella's dietary fiber stimulates peristalsis) People on a weight-loss plan who crave desserts (consume in moderation)
Not suitable for：Spleen-stomach deficiency-cold with dampness and loose stools (use with caution!)：Symptoms include abdominal pain relieved by warmth, loose stools/diarrhea, pale tongue with teeth marks – tremella and snow pear are both cool and moist, worsening cold-dampness. If consuming, add 3-5 slices of fresh ginger and 5 red dates to the pot to balance the coolness, limit to 1 small bowl (~150ml), and avoid long-term continuous consumption. Wind-cold cough (Absolute contraindication!)：Symptoms include deep cough with thin white phlegm, clear runny nose, chills without sweating – this soup is specifically for "dry" and "heat" coughs. Using it for wind-cold will trap pathogens and worsen the condition. Diabetics (extreme caution)：This soup releases significant natural fructose and added rock sugar, with a moderate-to-high glycemic load. Omit rock sugar entirely (rely solely on the pear's natural sweetness, though fructose is still present), strictly limit serving size to ≤100ml, and monitor blood glucose post-meal. Acute diarrhea or enteritis patients：The gelatinous fiber in tremella has a mild laxative effect, stimulating peristalsis and exacerbating diarrhea. Infants under 1 year old: The sticky texture poses a choking hazard and their digestive systems are underdeveloped – avoid. Those allergic to tremella or snow pear (rare).
