Tremella fuciformis
What is tremella?
Tremella, also known as snow fungus, silver ear mushroom or white jelly mushroom, is a translucent, frilly mushroom that looks a bit like white coral. It has been used in Chinese cooking and traditional medicine for centuries, and in recent years it has become a popular ingredient in skincare.
Tremella has an unusual way of life: it grows on wood, but actually lives as a parasite on other fungi (mainly Annulohypoxylon species). Today almost all tremella is cultivated. Its polysaccharides can bind a lot of water, which is why it is used in moisturizing creams and serums – and why it has a jelly-like texture when cooked.
Nutritional profile (per 100g dry powder)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Energy | ~350 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 65–70 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 15–20 g |
| Protein | 7–9 g |
| Fat | <1 g |
| Polysaccharides | 25–30 g |
| Beta-glucans | 10–12 g |
| Iron | 2.5–4 mg |
| Potassium | 300–500 mg |
| Calcium | 100–150 mg |
| Vitamin D | Trace amounts |
Possible health benefits
Tremella is mainly known for its polysaccharides. The research is still limited and is mostly based on laboratory and animal studies:
- Skin moisture: Tremella polysaccharides bind water well and form a moisturizing film on the skin. In cosmetic tests, they performed similarly to hyaluronic acid.
- Antioxidant effects: Protection against oxidative stress in laboratory studies, which may play a role in skin aging.
- Immune system: Immune-modulating effects in laboratory and animal studies.
- Memory: A small Korean study found improved short-term memory in adults with subjective memory complaints after taking tremella extract for eight weeks.
- Blood sugar and blood lipids: Positive effects in animal studies; no meaningful human studies.
- Gut: As soluble fiber, tremella polysaccharides can feed gut bacteria.
- Respiratory tract: Traditionally used for dry coughs and an irritated throat.
There is no evidence that tremella helps with ADHD, leaky gut, type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance.
How to use tremella
In the kitchen:
Tremella has a mild taste and becomes jelly-like when soaked and cooked.
Use it in:
- soups, especially sweet Chinese-style dessert soups,
- broths with goji berries and dates,
- smoothies or jellies,
- puddings with chia and plant-based milk.
In traditional Chinese medicine:
Tremella is considered moistening and is used to nourish “lung yin” – for dry coughs, an irritated throat and recovery after illness. It is often combined with goji berries, jujubes or licorice.
In cosmetics:
Tremella extract appears in serums, creams and sheet masks, where it:
- helps the skin retain moisture,
- can make the skin look smoother and plumper,
- is said to reduce the appearance of fine lines – mainly through better hydration.
In gardening:
Tremella is not a typical garden mushroom, as it needs a host fungus. It is grown commercially on sawdust together with its host fungus.
Combinations
- Goji berries – a classic combination in Chinese dessert soups
- Dried jujubes (red dates) – for natural sweetness
- Vitamin C-rich fruits such as sea buckthorn or acerola – vitamin C is needed to make collagen
- Chia or flaxseed – for fiber and a creamy texture
- Licorice root – traditionally for the throat (not with high blood pressure)
Did you know…?
- Tremella polysaccharides can bind many times their own weight in water, which is why they are used as a plant-based alternative to hyaluronic acid in cosmetics.
- According to legend, Yang Guifei, one of the “Four Beauties” of ancient China, ate tremella regularly to keep her skin young.
- Until tremella cultivation was developed in the 19th and 20th centuries, it was rare and expensive in China. Today it is an affordable everyday ingredient.
Recipe: tremella dessert soup
Ingredients:
– 5 g dried tremella, soaked overnight
– 10 dried goji berries
– 2 pitted dried jujubes (red dates)
– 1 tsp honey (optional)
– 2 cups water
– A pinch of cinnamon or ginger
Preparation:
Tear the soaked tremella into small pieces and simmer with the dates and goji berries for 45 minutes until it becomes jelly-like. Let it cool slightly and add honey to taste. Serve warm or chilled.
How much to eat
As a food, 3–5 g of dried tremella per serving is typical; for powder or extracts, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Tremella is generally well tolerated. As there is not enough safety data, pregnant and breastfeeding women and people taking blood thinners or diabetes medication should talk to their doctor before taking concentrated extracts.
Where it grows
Wild tremella grows in warm, humid forests in Asia and other tropical and subtropical regions. Most tremella today comes from cultivation in China.
In summary
Tremella is a mild, versatile mushroom that is used both in the kitchen and in skincare. Its main strength is its water-binding polysaccharides. Many of the claimed health benefits have only been shown in the laboratory, so enjoy it as a food or skincare ingredient – not as a cure.
