Desserts
Tremella and Papaya Soup
Tremella and Papaya Soup is a classic Cantonese traditional nourishing sweet soup, made with tremella (snow fungus/white wood ear) and papaya, slowly simmered to perfection. Tremella is neutral in nature, sweet and bland in taste, and channels to the Lung, Stomach, and Kidney meridians. It is known for nourishing yin and moistening the lungs, nourishing the stomach and promoting salivation, benefiting qi and blood, and strengthening the brain and heart. It is often referred to as "the poor man's bird's nest" . Papaya is warm in nature, sour and sweet in taste, and channels to the Liver and Spleen meridians. It is known for calming the liver and harmonizing the stomach, dispelling dampness and relaxing the sinews, promoting digestion and lactation. Its papain enzyme aids in protein digestion. Together, the rich gelatinous texture of tremella and the sweet, soft flesh of papaya create a crystal-clear, golden-hued soup. This soup is especially renowned for beauty and skincare, moistening the lungs and stopping coughs, and strengthening the spleen and promoting digestion. It is an ideal sweet dessert for women's skincare, autumn dryness relief, and postpartum nourishment.
Main Ingredients
- Dried tremella (snow fungus) 15-20g (about half a piece)
- Ripe papaya 1 piece (approx. 400-500g)
- Rock sugar (or yellow rock sugar) 20-30g
- Red dates (pitted) 5-8 pieces
- Red dates (pitted, optional) 5-8g
- Water Approx. 1500-1800ml
Steps
Place the dried tremella in a large bowl and cover with plenty of cold water. Soak for 2-4 hours (or overnight in the refrigerator) until fully rehydrated, expanded, and soft. After soaking, cut off the hard yellow stem at the base (this is tough and affects the soup's appearance). Tear the tremella into small shreds or pieces (the smaller the pieces, the more gelatin is released, resulting in a smoother texture). Do not use hot water for soaking, as it makes the tremella tough and reduces gelatin release.
Papaya: Rinse the papaya, cut it in half, scoop out the seeds and pith with a spoon, peel off the skin, and cut into 2-3 cm chunks. Red dates: Rinse, cut open, and remove the pits. Goji berries: Briefly soak in water and drain.
Place the shredded tremella into a clay pot or soup pot. Add sufficient water (approx. 1500ml). Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 40-50 minutes until the tremella releases its gelatin and the liquid becomes slightly viscous. The tremella must be cooked separately to release gelatin before adding other ingredients; otherwise, the papaya will be overcooked while the tremella is still firm.
Add the papaya chunks and red dates to the pot. Continue simmering over low heat for 20-25 minutes until the papaya becomes soft, translucent, and the fruity aroma fully infuses the soup.
Add rock sugar and goji berries, and cook for another 5-8 minutes until the rock sugar is fully dissolved.
Turn off the heat and ladle into bowls. Serve warm for comforting hydration, or refrigerate for a refreshing, chilled alternative.
TCM Notes
Tremella polysaccharides are the primary active compounds, with multiple bioactivities including immune enhancement, anti-tumor, anti-aging, and blood sugar regulation. Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective: Tremella: Sweet and bland, neutral, channels to the Lung, Stomach, and Kidney. Nourishes yin and moistens the lungs, nourishes the stomach and promotes salivation, benefits qi and blood, strengthens the brain and heart, and beautifies the skin. Papaya: Sour and sweet, warm, channels to the Liver and Spleen. Calms the liver and harmonizes the stomach, dispels dampness and relaxes the sinews, promotes digestion and lactation. Modern Nutrition Research: Beauty and skincare: Tremella polysaccharides lock moisture in the skin, improve skin elasticity, and reduce wrinkles. Vitamin C in papaya promotes collagen synthesis. Together, they work from the inside out. Lung-moistening and cough relief: Tremella nourishes yin and moistens the lungs, providing significant relief for autumn/winter dry cough and itchy throat. Digestive health: Papain breaks down proteins, aiding digestion and improving poor appetite and bloating. Immunity boost: Tremella polysaccharides enhance macrophage activity, improving the body's resistance to disease. Digestive regularity: Tremella is rich in soluble dietary fiber, which nourishes the intestines and promotes healthy bowel movements.
Suitable for：Those seeking beauty and skincare, or with dry skin (natural "edible skincare") Those with dry cough without phlegm and itchy throat in autumn/winter Those with poor appetite, indigestion, and post-meal bloating Postpartum women (nourishment, lactation support, and recovery) Middle-aged and older adults (nourishing yin, moistening dryness, anti-aging) Those with chronic late nights and yin-deficiency with fire-excess Generally suitable for most people as an everyday sweet treat
Not suitable for：Diabetics: Tremella and papaya both contain natural sugars, and rock sugar adds more. Strictly control sugar intake or use sugar substitutes, with no more than one small bowl per serving. Those with severe spleen-stomach deficiency-cold: Tremella is neutral but slightly cooling; excessive consumption may cause diarrhea. Pair with ginger or red dates to neutralize the coldness. Those in the early stages of wind-cold colds: Tremella nourishes yin and moistens the lungs, which is not suitable for wind-cold cough (clear thin phlegm, chills), as it may trap pathogens inside. Those with dampness excess and severe bloating: Tremella is rich and may promote dampness and qi stagnation. Those allergic to tremella or papaya (rare) Infants under 6 months old: Digestive system not fully developed; not recommended.
