Grain Buds · Tea break · Yin Deficiency
Double-boiled loquat with snow fungus
End-of-season loquats double-boiled with snow fungus — a clear, gently sweet, throat-soothing afternoon tonic.
- 1 hr 15 min
- Serves 2
- Double-boil
- Easy
CoolingNourishes yin & lungsEases thirst
Why it suits you: Yin Deficiency brings a dry mouth and warm palms, and the muggy heat of Grain Buds adds irritability. Loquat moistens the lungs and eases thirst, snow fungus nourishes yin, and double-boiling keeps it moistening without being cold — unlike fried snacks that add heat.
Method
Prep 15 min · Cook 60 min- 1Soak the snow fungus in water for 20 minutes until soft, snip off the hard yellow base and tear into small florets.
- 2Wash the loquats, peel off the skin, then halve them and remove the stones and inner membrane.
- 3Put the snow fungus, loquats, honey date, rock sugar and water in a double-boiling pot, cover, and stand it in a wok or pot with boiling water halfway up the side.
- 4Bring to the boil, then double-boil over medium-low heat for 1 hour, topping up the water as needed. Drink warm or pour into a flask.
Cautions
- Loquat stones contain amygdalin and must not be eaten — always remove them.
- If your digestion runs cold or you get loose stools easily, keep to a small bowl.
Chef's tips
- Loquat skin peels off easily by hand; cook straight after peeling or the flesh turns brown.
- No double-boiling pot? Simmer everything gently in a saucepan for 30 minutes instead.
The TCM view
Loquat is sweet, sour and cool, moistens the lungs, eases thirst and settles the stomach; snow fungus is sweet, bland and neutral and nourishes yin and fluids; rock sugar and honey date are sweet and moistening. Sweet-cool and moist but not cloying, it calms deficient heat without upsetting digestion or adding damp.
