Tremella fuciformis: The Ultimate Mushroom Guide

About The Tremella fuciformis Mushroom

Tremella Mushroom is a popular edible fungus with interesting medicinal properties. The formation of Tremella fuciformis basidiomes is highly dependent on the presence of a specific host fungus, both in nature and for industrial production. This host has traditionally been indicated as "Xianghui" in China, yet which or how many fungal species Xianghui comprises is unclear, with various authorities claiming different species.

This mushroom is very popular in Chinese cuisine and is rich with dietary fibers and Vitamin D. Tremella fuciformis mushroom contains more than 70% dietary fibers such as acidic polysaccharides. Modern research indicates tremella medicinal mushroom's usefulness as an anti-tumor agent in lowering blood glucose, lowering cholesterol, and protecting against radiation.

Tremella has been also highly prized as a youthful skin tonic for a healthy complexion. It is said that Imperial Concubine Yang (719-756), considered to be one of the most beautiful women in Chinese history, used Tremella for her facial and body maintenance.

Tremella fuciformis is known to be a parasite of Hypoxylon species. Many of these species were reassigned to a new genus, Annulohypoxylon, in 2005 including its preferred host, Annulohypoxylon archeri, the species routinely used in commercial cultivation. Following its host, fruit bodies are typically found on the dead, attached or recently fallen branches of broadleaf trees.

The species are mainly tropical and subtropical but extends into temperate areas in Asia and North America. It is known throughout South and Central America, the Caribbean, parts of North America, sub-Saharan Africa, southern and eastern Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands.

Tremella fuciformis also know as:

1. Yin Er

2. White Jelly Fungus

3. White Jelly Leaf ("Shirokikurage")

4. Silver Ear Mushroom

5. Snow Mushroom

6. Chrysanthemum Mushroom

Tremella fuciformis For Skin

Tremella fuciformis is a popular ingredient in skin-care products. Dermatologist Dendy Engelman, the director of dermatologic surgery at Metropolitan Hospital in New York City, says the fungus acts similar to that of hydration powerhouse hyaluronic acid by pulling moisture to the skin.

Hyaluronic acid can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, so finding an all-natural match for its hydrating power is pretty major. And snow mushroom has an extra edge. "The particles are smaller than hyaluronic acid so it penetrates the skin more easily," says Engelman. She cautions, however, that she wants to see more targeted studies on the ingredient's skin-care properties before she hails it as a magic mushroom.

Tremella fuciformis Health Benefits

1. Anti-hyperlipidemia

   Inhibits cholesterol absorption from the intestine / Reduces cholesterol levels in serum and liver / Prevents arteriosclerosis

2. Anti-diabetes

   Improves the secretion of insulin by recovering damaged beta-cells in pancreatic polypeptide / Promotes the absorption of glucose in liver and inhibits the release of glucose from liver by increasing the hexokinase activity and reducing glucose-6-phosphatase activity

3. Anti-tumor effect

   Enhances immune system / Enhances effects of Mitomycin C (glucuronoxylomannan)

4. Anti-osteoporosis

   Enhances calcium absorption

5. Hepatoprotection

   Promotes metabolism of protein and nucleic acid in liver

6. Tremella generates a natural flexible hydration film on the skin

   That reinstates dry skin to its optimally hydrated and mobile state, enabling it to develop elasticity and a fit appearance. This film experiences very little shrinkage over time which leads to better sensory, more functional moisturizing and anti-oxidation efficiency.

7. This mushroom also happens to be high in vitamin D

   Topically applied vitamin D has shown impressive healing abilities when applied to acne lesions, so this is another potential use for Tremella extract in skin care.

Tremella fuciformis Cultivation

Spore Print: White.

Fruiting Body: Gelatinous but fairly firm; composed of graceful lobes; translucent whitish; up to about 7 cm across and 4 cm high; surface smooth and shiny.

Typically grow in tropical and subtropical forests on hardwood logs after heavy rains. It is whitish or nearly transparent, and fairly large (up to about 7 cm across) and it features graceful gelatinous lobes rather than the glob-like blobs that typify so many other jelly fungi.

Possibly parasitic on the mycelium of Hypoxylon archeri and closely related species--or potentially saprobic on the deadwood of hardwoods and involved in an undetermined symbiosis with the Hypoxylon (the fungi could, for example, be decomposing components of the wood that the other fungus can't decompose, enabling each other); growing alone or gregariously with Hypoxylon fruiting bodies frequently nearby; summer and fall; tropical and subtropical in distribution, but also found in Missouri, Indiana, and Kansas.

Before this mushroom could be cultivated, it had to be collected in the wild. In addition to that problem, wild versions of the fungus are rather small, only about the size of a golf ball. That, being coupled with its relative rarity, meant that only royalty or the very rich could afford to buy it. Since it was found growing on wood in nature, it was assumed that this fungus was using the wood for its nutrition.

However, for many centuries Tremella eluded cultivation. So why can't it be cultivated on wood, like shiitake, Oyster mushrooms, the pom pon mushroom, or enoki? In the absence of wood, this species tends to grow as yeast, adding another problem for potential cultivators, who threw out the subcultures as contaminants, thinking they had one of several hundred species of yeasts, such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae (the bakers' and brewers' yeast) or even Candida albicans.

Eventually, studies in fungal ecology revealed that Tremella species are mycoparasites! This means that they don't eat the wood, but they eat another fungus that eats the wood. In this case, the host fungus is Hypoxylon archeri, one of the black Pyrenomycetes, related to Daldinia concentrica (carbon balls) and Xylaria polymorpha (dead man's fingers), all of which are wood decay fungi. It is possible that Hypoxylon archeri is not parasitized by the Tremella, but rather breaks down the wood into a form that can be used.

The process is relatively easy once you know the ecology of the growth. First, the substrate is prepared, usually sawdust supplements with bran and some sort of grain, such as millet. This substrate is put into special plastic bags and sterilized.

After cooling, the mycelium of Hypoxylon archeri is inoculated into the substrate and allowed to grow for a few weeks, at which time the Tremella culture is inoculated. After additional growth, the bags are put under fruiting conditions (high humidity and the proper temperature). A couple of weeks later the snowball-shaped clusters of Tremella are formed on slits or holes cut in the bags.

Most of the crop is dried for future sale since the mushrooms rehydrate to almost exactly the same consistency and flavor as when they were fresh.

How to Use Tremella fuciformis

1. Skincare Products

   Chances are it's going to become easier and easier to find tremella in skincare products, especially those offering anti-aging benefits. Look for natural products that are free from synthetic chemicals, parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and other questionable ingredients that can worsen dry skin or cause irritation.

2. Tremella Mushroom Powder

   Probably the most common and convenient way to find tremella mushroom is in a finely ground powder. Thanks to its mild, subtly sweet flavor profile, it's easy to add tremella mushroom powder to smoothies, acai bowls, parfaits, yogurt, even tea.

3. Tremella Mushroom Extract

   You can find liquid tremella mushroom extract that can be squeezed into water, drinks, or food. Only buy from reputable brands and start small—consider starting with just 1/4 tsp for a week before increasing dosage if necessary and pay attention to how your body feels.

Tremella fuciformis Nutrition Facts

Recipe: Longan and Snow Fungus Sweet Soup

Ingredients

1. 1 dried snow fungus, soaked overnight until soft and puffed up

2. 80-100 gram dried longan, soaked overnight

3. 8-12 dried jujube fruits/red dates, soaked overnight

4. 25 gram dried lotus seeds, soaked overnight

5. 6 cups water

6. rock sugar or palm sugar, to taste (optional)

Instructions

1. Cut off small pieces from the snow fungus with a scissor. Discard the yellow tough center.

2. Place the snow fungus, longan, lotus seeds, jujube fruits and water in a soup pot. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until the snow fungus is soft, about 1 1/2 hour to 2 hours.

3. Test for the level of sweetness and only add rock sugar/palm sugar if needed. Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved.

4. Turn off heat. Serve warm or chilled.

Recipe: Snow Fungus Sweet Soup with Lotus Seeds

Ingredients

1. 3 little water (水)

2. About 3-4 big dried snow fungus (雪耳), soak in water until soften, clean and cut out the bottom hard part, discard. Cut into smaller pieces.

3. 15 red dates (红枣)

4. 2 Tbsp. goji berries (枸杞)

5. 30 dried lotus seeds (莲子)

6. About 1/4 cup dried lily buds (百合)

7. Rock sugar to taste (冰糖,调味)

Instructions

1. In a 4 little slow cooker, add 3 little water. Set it to High.

2. Rinse red dates, goji, lotus seeds and lily buds under running water. Add into the slow cooker.

3. Add the snow fungus and let it cook. After 4 hours, add rock sugar to taste.

4. Stir until rock sugars dissolve. Serve warm or cold. But for me, it's better to serve chilled.

5. Keep any leftover in the refrigerator and serve chill.

Recipe: Snow Mushroom and Fruit Dessert

Be sure to mix the snow mushrooms and the blueberries together just before serving, or the juice from the blueberries will discolor the snow mushroom.

Ingredients

1. 1/2 ounce snow mushrooms

2. 1/2 cup light corn syrup

3. 1/2 cup sugar

4. 3/4 cup water

5. 1 small lemon, sliced very thin

6. 1 cup blueberries

7. 3 kiwi fruits, peeled and sliced

8. Vanilla ice cream

Instructions

1. Soak the snow mushrooms in hot water to cover for 5 to 10 minutes. Drain and rinse.

2. Bring the corn syrup, sugar, and water to a boil. Lower heat and add the drained snow mushrooms and lemon slices. Simmer for 5 to 6 minutes. Drain the mushrooms and lemon slices in a colander. Allow them to cool.

3. Just before serving, mix the snow mushrooms and lemon slices with the kiwis and blueberries. Serve on top of vanilla ice cream.