Snow Fungus - Tremella fuciformis

Common Names: Snow fungus, Silver ear, White jelly fungus, Tremella, Tremella fuciformis, White tree jellyfish, Bai Mu Er, Yin Er, Xue Er, Wood ear (not to be confused with Auricularia), White jelly leaf, White Chinese mushroom, Silver ear mushroom, Shiro kikurage, Shirokikurage, Nam tuyet, Ngan nhi, Chrysanthemum mushroom, Snow mushroom, Silberohr, Tremelle en fuseau, Jamur kuping putih, Lember bodas, Raetngaenz

Latin Name: Tremella fuciformis

Origin: Asia, Australia, South America, North America

Short Introduction

Before cultivating snow fungus at home, it's necessary to obtain a wild-type specimen. Understanding the ecological requirements of snow fungus will help ensure successful growth. The ideal substrate consists of sawdust and bran, with grains such as millet or proso millet being suitable additions. In commercial cultivation, the substrate is sterilized, cooled, and then inoculated with Hypoxylon archeri mycelium, which is allowed to grow for several weeks before inoculating with Tremella. Once the secondary parasitic growth establishes and proper conditions are met (high humidity and constant temperature), bags are placed under the fruiting bodies. After several weeks, snow fungus clusters are pruned through the bags and can be harvested. As rehydrated snow fungus retains the same size and flavor as when fresh, much of the harvest is dried for future use.

Snow fungus has been commercially cultivated in China since at least the 19th century. Earlier, cultivation utilized wooden logs or branches, relying heavily on luck for colonization. Later methods evolved to inoculate logs with spores and mycelium. Today, the standard involves inoculating mixtures of fungal organisms with sawdust under optimal conditions. The most popular and common host for snow fungus is Annulohypoxylon archeri. In 1997, China's estimated production was around 130,000 tons. It is also widely cultivated throughout East Asia, though less so in the rest of the world.

Detailed Description

One of the most beloved mushrooms in Chinese and Japanese culinary and healing traditions.

Botanical Information

Snow fungus belongs to a genus of fungi that produce a gelatinous, white, fern-like basidiocarp (fruiting body responsible for sexual reproduction). The fruiting body can reach up to 7.5 cm in length and is made up of thin, branched, always upright, intricately arranged fronds with delicate edges and a texture reminiscent of seaweed.

The hyphae are densely intertwined, forming a tight jelly-like matrix. Haustoria grow at the ends of hyphae as filaments, which attach to and penetrate host tissue. Basidia are ellipsoid to ovoid, gelatinous, sometimes stalked, with vertical septa, measuring up to several tens of micrometers.

Snow fungus is a parasitic yeast that exists as a slimy, mucous-like film until it locates a suitable fungal host. Once a host is found, it initiates rapid mycelial growth necessary to form the fruiting body.

Origin and Distribution

Snow fungus is widespread, especially in tropical regions, where it is easily found on dead branches of broad-leafed trees. The entire genus is distributed across the tropics and subtropics, but can also extend into temperate regions in Asia and North America.

It is well-known in South and Latin America, the Caribbean, sub-Saharan Africa, certain areas of North America, southern and Southeast Asia, Pacific islands, Australia, and New Zealand. Today, it is commercially cultivated and is one of China’s and Japan’s most popular culinary and medicinal mushrooms.

Usage / Dosage

The name “snow fungus” comes from its white color and snowball-like appearance. It is edible and considered a delicacy in both China and Japan, prized for its unique, tender yet crunchy texture.

In Chinese cuisine, snow fungus is traditionally used to prepare sweet dishes, primarily for its gelatinous texture, neutral taste, and perceived health-promoting qualities. The most common dish is a soup known as luk mei, often prepared with Chinese jujube, dried longan, and other ingredients. In China and Japan, snow fungus is also used in beverages and ice creams.

There are many culinary uses for snow fungus. It can be sautéed in olive oil or butter after rehydration and combined with eggs, herbs, or other foods. Traditional cooking often involves making dessert: the fungus is soaked overnight in a sugar solution, boiled to evaporate excess liquid, then combined with syrup, honey, or sweet fruit syrup.

A 2000 article in the International Journal of Medicinal Mushroom described the anticancer potential of the polysaccharides found in snow fungus, specifically glucuronoxylomannans. These polysaccharides appear to stimulate the immune system’s anticancer activity, enhance vascular endothelial cell response to radiation, stimulate hematopoiesis, and exhibit antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, hypocholesterolemic, antiallergic, and hepatoprotective effects. Snow fungus is rich in calcium and vitamin D, making it valuable for healthy growth and development. Its high fiber content aids intestinal peristalsis and reduces fat absorption.

Research from Chinese laboratories in the 1990s revealed increased immune response following radiation therapy and aging. Numerous studies since have focused on its immunomodulatory and anticancer potential.

Mucilaginous polysaccharides in snow fungus have been observed in animal and cell-based studies to increase interferon and interleukin production—key factors for stimulating macrophages and other immune components. These compounds also increase natural killer (NK) cells and antibody efficacy. Laboratory research has confirmed their anticancer action, notably inhibiting new blood vessel formation and cutting off tumor nourishment. The presence of selenium in snow fungus is also thought to bolster its anticancer potential.

The polysaccharides are considered important agents against the effects of acute radiation and to support blood formation in bone marrow. Animal studies found doses of 200 mg/kg of these polysaccharides given for 3-5 days after cobalt-60 exposure significantly protected bone marrow and survival times.

Consistent consumption may help improve immunodeficiency (including AIDS), reduce the effects of physical stress and aging, and prevent senile degeneration by supporting vascular integrity and blood perfusion in vital organs. Snow fungus may also enhance the liver's detoxification abilities.

Polysaccharides from Tremella fuciformis enhance DNA synthesis in vascular cells, which may help prevent atherosclerosis, hypertension, thrombophlebitis, and related complications. Other studies show they can prolong prothrombin time, reduce platelet adhesion, and decrease blood viscosity.

Aqueous extracts and alcohol-free tinctures have demonstrated the potential to prevent or treat neurological damage. Animal experiments suggest snow fungus polysaccharides may help protect neural tissue and combat aging by boosting superoxide dismutase activity—the body's natural antioxidant—in the liver and brain.

Daily intake of 100 or 400 mg/kg for 14 consecutive days in rats significantly improved learning and memory abilities, suggesting promise as a preventive or supportive agent for cognitive health.

Traditional East Asian Medicine

For centuries, snow fungus has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for its notable benefits, particularly for tuberculosis, high blood pressure, and the common cold. It is believed to moisten the lungs, stomach, and kidneys, strengthen bones, support optimal weight, deeply hydrate the skin, and is commonly recommended for treating chronic bronchitis in older adults.

Chinese women, including the legendary Yang Guifei, have traditionally used snow fungus to maintain moist, soft, and supple skin. Its polysaccharides are now added to cosmetic products to enhance barrier function, provide anti-inflammatory and antiallergic benefits, and maintain blood flow throughout the skin layers.

In Japanese traditional medicine, snow fungus is used to help prevent atherosclerosis by reducing plasma cholesterol. This traditional claim is supported by only one clinical and one smaller human study.

Cosmetics

French and Japanese cosmetic companies have recently begun to incorporate snow fungus extracts into their skincare products due to its outstanding ability to retain water—up to 500 times its own weight, more than hyaluronic acid or glycerin. Regular use of snow fungus extract for four weeks has been shown to significantly improve skin hydration and moisture retention compared to control groups.

Active Compounds

The main compounds are heteropolysaccharide glucuronoxylomannans, about 77–84% polysaccharides, 1% proteins, 3–4% acetyl groups, with trace amounts of fiber and dust. The aqueous solution of its polysaccharides is mildly acidic (pH 5.1–5.6), with monomers including fructose, xylose, ribose, arabinose, mannose, galactose, glucose, glucuronic acid, and alpha1-3 and beta side branch linkages. Mineral content includes iron, sodium, potassium, and calcium salts; vitamins D and selenium are also present. Amino acids found in decreasing concentrations: alanine, leucine, valine, glycine, serine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, cysteine, isoleucine, methionine, threonine.

Traditional Dosage

It is recommended to first rinse with cold water, soak for 10–15 minutes, then refrigerate. Drain and use in sautés, egg dishes, soups, or as described above. The recommended adult dosage is 1,000–2,000 mg daily. Tinctures or extracts should be dosed according to concentration instructions.