Soups
Silver and White Soup (Bai Yin Tang)
"Silver and White Soup" is a classic autumn wellness soup, named after its two core ingredients – white radish and white fungus (silver ear). Simmered in a duck broth base, it perfectly combines the "clearing" properties of radish, the "moisturizing" quality of white fungus, and the "nourishing" effects of duck. It is known as the "number one autumn health soup", ideal for combating autumn dryness.
Main Ingredients
- White radish 250g
- Dried white fungus (snow ear) 15g（or fresh white fungus half a piece）
- Duck meat 250g
- Fresh ginger 3 slices
- Spring onion 1 stalk
- Cooking wine 1 tbsp (approx. 10ml )
- Salt to taste
Steps
Soak the white fungus in water for 1 hour. Remove the hard yellow root and tear into small pieces. Peel the white radish and cut into thin strips. Cut the duck meat into pieces, blanch in cold water with ginger, spring onion, and cooking wine for 2 minutes, then rinse and drain. Slice the ginger.
Place the blanched duck meat and ginger slices into a clay pot with enough water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low heat and simmer for about 1 hour until the meat is tender.
Add the soaked white fungus and continue simmering for 20 minutes. Then add the white radish strips and simmer for another 30 minutes.
Add salt to taste before serving. Stir well and serve hot.
TCM Notes
Clears heat, moistens the lungs, relieves cough and phlegm: White radish is cool in nature and acts on the lung and stomach meridians. White fungus is neutral in nature and sweet in taste, moistening the lungs and nourishing the stomach. Nourishes yin, clears heat, and benefits the stomach: Duck broth nourishes yin and helps clear heat and promote bowel movements. Together, they are an excellent tonic for relieving autumn dryness. Boosts immunity, tonifies qi, and calms the mind: White fungus is rich in polysaccharides, which help tonify qi and calm the mind. Rich in nutrients: White radish provides dietary fibre and vitamin C; white fungus provides plant-based colloids and amino acids; duck meat provides high-quality protein and B vitamins.
Suitable for：Those experiencing dry throat, dry skin, or dry cough during autumn Those prone to internal heat,上火, or constipation Those with poor appetite or indigestion Those with yin deficiency or recovering from illness General population for autumn wellness
Not suitable for：Those with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold (Use with caution!): White radish is cool in nature – those with weak digestion, diarrhoea, or abdominal coldness should limit intake. Those taking ginseng or other qi-tonifying herbs (Avoid!): White radish counteracts the effects of ginseng and similar herbs. Those with wind-cold coughs (Use with caution): Symptoms include deep cough with thin white phlegm and chills – this cooling soup is not suitable. Those allergic to duck, white fungus, or white radish (Avoid).
