Snow Fungus, White-Back Black Wood Ear & Jujube Soup

Why people make this soup

Snow fungus — sometimes called “the poor person’s bird’s nest” in Chinese culinary tradition — has been prized for generations because it is rich in plant-based collagen-like compounds that may help skin maintain its elasticity and glow as we age. Black wood ear, its close cousin, is one of the most iron-dense plant foods and has long been used to address pallor and anaemia. Together with blood-nourishing red dates, this combination makes a naturally sweet, deeply nourishing bowl that suits people of almost any age. Modern food science has taken an interest in the polysaccharides found in both fungi, which have been studied for their potential effects on bone marrow activity and immune function — making this a popular supportive dish for people going through chemotherapy or radiotherapy.