Snow Fungus Soup (银耳汤)

04/04/2025

Snow Fungus Soup, or Yin Er Tang (银耳汤), is a classic Chinese dessert enjoyed for generations. It’s light, mildly sweet, and packed with natural goodness. Made with snow fungus, red dates, goji berries, and rock sugar, this soup is delicious and believed to be great for health.

Health Benefits

Snow fungus (Tremella fuciformis), also known as white fungus or silver ear fungus, is valued in traditional Chinese medicine for its ability to boost immunity, hydrate the skin, and support digestion. It contains dietary fiber, antioxidants, and compounds that may help improve lung health. Many people believe that regularly consuming snow fungus helps keep the body hydrated, especially during dry seasons.

Enjoying Snow Fungus Soup

Some people also like to add fresh milk to Snow Fungus Soup for a creamier texture and richer flavor. The milk complements the mild sweetness of the soup, making it taste smoother and more indulgent. This variation is especially popular among those who enjoy a more dessert-like version of the soup.

This soup can be enjoyed at any temperature. Some people prefer it warm for a comforting treat, while others enjoy it chilled as a refreshing dessert, especially in hot weather. Some variations include adding pears for extra hydration or replacing rock sugar with honey for a natural sweetness. Pears enhance the soup's natural sweetness while providing additional moisture benefits, making it especially beneficial during dry seasons.

How to Make Snow Fungus Soup

Ingredients:

1 piece of dried snow fungus
6–8 red dates (jujubes)
1 tablespoon goji berries
10–12 lotus seeds (optional)
1 pear (optional, peeled and sliced)
Rock sugar (to taste)
5–6 cups of water

Instructions:

Soak the dried snow fungus in water for 1–2 hours until soft. Remove the hard stem and tear the fungus into small pieces.
Rinse the red dates, goji berries, and lotus seeds.
In a pot, bring water to a boil. Add the snow fungus, red dates, lotus seeds, and pear slices. Reduce the heat and simmer for 1–1.5 hours.
Add goji berries and rock sugar near the end, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
Serve warm or chilled, depending on preference.

Personal Anecdote

I once tried pear Snow Fungus Soup in Guangdong, and it was served cold. The chilled soup had a light, refreshing taste, with the sweetness of the pear blending perfectly with the soft, jelly-like texture of the snow fungus. It was especially soothing on a hot day, and I remember feeling instantly refreshed after the first sip. The delicate flavors and nourishing qualities made it a memorable experience.

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