Soups
Tremella & Tomato Soup (Yiner Fanqie Geng)
Tremella & Tomato Soup is a classic Chinese dessert soup known for its sweet and sour flavor. The final dish presents a beautiful contrast of red and white, and is crystal clear. The natural gelatinous texture of the slow-cooked tremella perfectly combines with the tangy sweetness of the tomatoes, resulting in a soft, smooth, and appetizing soup that is both refreshing and easy on the palate. It is a delicious seasonal delicacy with the health benefits of nourishing yin and moistening dryness, making it a wholesome and delightful dessert.
Main Ingredients
- Dried Tremella (snow fungus) 40g
- Tomatoes 200g
- Rock sugar (or white sugar) to taste
Steps
Place 40g of dried tremella in a bowl and cover with plenty of cold or warm water. Soak for about 2 hours until it is fully soft and expanded. Change the water 1-2 times during soaking to remove impurities. After soaking, rinse thoroughly, remove the hard yellow stem at the base, and tear into small florets.
Put the prepared tremella in a clay pot, add about 500ml of water, bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 1-1.5 hours until the tremella releases its gelatin and the soup thickens. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
While the tremella is simmering, wash 200g of tomatoes. Score the skin and blanch in boiling water for about 30 seconds until the skin splits. Transfer to cold water and peel. Chop the peeled tomatoes into small pieces, then mash them into a fine paste or blend in a food processor.
When the tremella soup is thick, add the tomato paste to the clay pot and stir to combine. Add about 10g of rock sugar (or white sugar) and continue to simmer over low heat for about 5 minutes until the sugar is fully dissolved and the flavors are well-blended.
Turn off the heat. The soup can be enjoyed hot or chilled after cooling
TCM Notes
Tremella (Snow Fungus): Rich in natural plant-based colloids, various amino acids, minerals, and selenium. It nourishes yin, moistens the lungs, and strengthens the spleen and stomach. Long-term consumption can improve skin health and has therapeutic effects on chronic bronchitis and pulmonary heart disease. The polysaccharides in tremella can enhance the immune system. Tomatoes: Rich in Vitamin C, carotene, B vitamins, and lycopene. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that helps eliminate free radicals and may help prevent certain cancers like prostate cancer. The high potassium content helps maintain blood vessel elasticity and protects cardiovascular health. Synergistic Effect: The combination of tremella's yin-nourishing properties with tomato's heat-clearing and fluid-promoting effects creates a nutritious, tangy, and sweet soup. It is low in calories (approx. 73.76 kcal per 100g) and rich in dietary fiber (15.96g) and potassium (993.7mg).
Suitable for：Those needing to nourish yin, moisten the lungs, and beautify the skin Those with chronic tonsillitis or a persistent dry cough due to yin deficiency with internal heat Those with hypertension or arteriosclerosis (low in fat and salt) Those with poor appetite needing to stimulate digestion General population for summer refreshment and daily wellness
Not suitable for：Those with a cold or weak spleen and stomach constitution: Both tremella and tomato are considered cooling in nature; excessive consumption may cause gastrointestinal discomfort Those with wind-cold or cough: This soup nourishes yin and moistens; it may not be suitable for those with external wind-cold or heat pathogens Diabetics: Sugar is added during preparation; the amount should be strictly controlled or a sugar substitute used Those with diarrhea or loose stools: Tremella is high in dietary fiber, which may worsen symptoms Those allergic to tremella or tomatoes
