Hi friends! As we have reached my last blog post, I’d love to share with you a recipe that is close to my heart: a beauty ‘soup’ from my Hong Kong and Cantonese roots ??. This is a sweet elixir that can make your skin hydrated and bouncy. The best part? It’s light, and so easy to make, perfect for a quick collagen boost. This recipe is a blend of traditional Chinese ingredients that transforms into a warm and comforting treat ☕. (Scroll down for the full recipe! ⬇️)
About the Ingredients (& their secret skin benefits✨)
Snow fungus 雪耳: Also known as Snow Ear fungus ❄️, it is nature’s very own collagen booster, helping to keep skin plump and boosting elasticity. With the appearance of a semi-translucent cloud, it is a flavor absorber, taking on the taste of whatever it’s cooking with. Depending on the variety, snow fungus can range from being springy and crisp to soft and supple, with a subtle sliminess, adding a distinct texture to dishes like the sweet and herbal Snow Fungus Soup. ?✨
Jujube 紅棗: Also called the Chinese red date, jujube has a naturally sweet and slightly tart flavor. It is believed in traditional Chinese medicine to have blood-nourishing properties, which can lead to a healthier, more vibrant complexion!
Goji berries 枸杞: These orange-red berries are known as a superfood. They’re loaded with antioxidants and nutrients, supporting everything from eye health to immune strength, and also protecting the skin from environmental damage and aging.?️
Dried longan 桂圓: Longan, a close cousin of lychee and rambutan, is a tropical fruit with a gentle, sweet taste.? Like jujube, they are believed to aid in blood circulation, giving your skin a healthy glow. It is also said to have a calming effect on the nervous system, adding both sweetness and tranquility to the soup.
Radiant Skin Nourishing Sweet Soup
紅棗杞子桂圓雪耳糖水
Prep Time: 20 minutes ｜ Cook Time: 40 minutes ｜ Total Time: 60 minutes ｜ Servings: 2-3
⭐️ Ingredients you’ll need:
- Jujube 紅棗: 5-10 pieces (Note: For convenience, I prefer using pitted jujubes and cutting them into small pieces, but the taste remains the same.)
- Snow fungus 雪耳: 1/2 large piece or 1 medium piece
- Goji berries 枸杞: 2 tablespoons
- Dried longan 桂圓: 2-3 tablespoons
- Rock sugar 冰糖: to taste (around 30g, or according to your personal preference)
- Water: 3-4 cups
⭐️ Instructions:
1. Soak the snow fungus in warm water for about 20 minutes until it fully expands.?
2. After it has expanded, trim off the hard yellowish part and cut the rest into tiny pieces.✂️
3. In a pot, add 3-4 cups of water and then toss in the snow fungus, bring it to a boil ?.
4. Add the jujube and dried longan, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for about 10-15 minutes.
5. After 10-15 minutes, add the goji berries and rock sugar. Continue to simmer for another 10 minutes. The soup should have a sweet, aromatic fragrance and a rich, golden color.
6. Taste the soup and adjust the sweetness by adding more rock sugar if needed.?
7. Once the soup has reached your desired sweetness, turn off the heat.
8. Serve the soup warm or allow it to cool and refrigerate — it can be enjoyed cold as well! ☕️?
En guete!? Thank you for tuning into my blog posts!
I hope what I’ve shared has been useful or helpful in some way. It’s lovely to conclude this module with a sweet treat that I grew up with.??☕️ If you’re intrigued by more traditional Chinese beauty secrets, don’t miss my video guides on easy face massages and how to create your own toner with rice water. For Asian solutions to dry winter skin, look to this blog for your rescue. Here and here, you’ll find my Asian skincare product picks. Wondering where to buy them? Check out my review of this Asian skincare shopping website for safe and reliable purchases. And if you’re a fan of cutting-edge beauty tech, don’t miss out on my deep dive into the skin-lifting magic of Radiofrequency and HIFU treatments!
? Hey! Just a quick heads up: While these ingredients are believed in traditional Chinese medicine to offer skin and other health benefits, the effects can vary from person to person.? Nutrition is just one aspect of skin care, and it’s always a good idea to maintain a balanced diet and a healthy skincare routine!
So cool! Can I ask where do you get your ingredients from? 🙂
Thanks! I got the dried longan and rock sugar from Hong Kong and picked up the other ingredients at my local Asian store (Asiaway). In my experience Asiaway is quite well stocked, I think you should be able to find everything there 🙂
I’ve noticed a significant improvement in my skin’s elasticity and firmness since using this product. It’s like a natural facelift in a bottle. click here to experience the difference!
Can’t wait to try this! I never heard of a sweet soup so it will probably take some getting used to but the flavors must be interesting… Also what is the texture of the fungus? Is it like jelly?
Hi Angie! Sweet soups are quite common as desserts in Asian countries but especially in Cantonese culture 🙂 Hope you like it!
Depending on the variety, snow fungus can have a springy or a soft, supple texture, it’s a really interesting ingredient.