Tremella: The Collagen-Boosting Mushroom for 10-Minute Soup, Tea, and Skin Glow

From Chinatown apothecaries to Whole Foods’ organic tremella bins, America imports 10 million pounds of tremella mushroom yearly—this gelatinous fungus delivers 5 calories per cup cooked and holds 500x its weight in water. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), tremella aligns with the water element—it性平味甘,归肺、胃、肾经,滋阴润燥、补肺生津, perfect for dry skin (阴虚缺水), winter cough (肺燥), or fatigue (肾精亏虚). If you often feel “阴虚内热” (dry lips, skin tightness) or seek natural collagen support, tremella might be your water element ally—take our free Bazi chart test to confirm its fit for your constitution. If you’re searching 'tremella recipe' or want tremella skin secrets, this guide covers tremella nutrition, tremella collagen power, tremella soup comfort, and six recipes that make tremella your dessert, drink, and glow hero. Let’s jelly the beauty!

🍄 What Is Tremella? Your Hydrating White Fungus (Water Element Ally)

Tremella (Tremella fuciformis)—also called “snow fungus” or “white jelly mushroom”—is a medicinal fungus with a crisp, dried form that rehydrates into a soft, gelatinous texture. It’s valued in TCM for 2,000+ years and now popular in modern beauty routines. Here’s how to choose, prepare, and source the best tremella, plus our top organic picks:

• Organic Dried Tremella: Our organic dried tremella is clean-cultivated (no pesticides), whole-flower shape—rehydrates quickly, ideal for soups or tea; sourced from Fujian, China (premium tremella region).
• Organic Tremella Powder: organic tremella powder is ground dried tremella—no soaking needed, perfect for smoothies, lattes, or masks; soluble, easy to mix.
• Organic Ready-to-Eat Tremella Soup: organic ready-to-eat tremella soup is pre-cooked with goji berries and rock sugar—on-the-go beauty tonic; no additives.
• Preparation Tips: Dried tremella soaks in cold water for 2 hours (or hot water for 30 minutes)—expand 8–10x in size; remove yellow stems (tough) before cooking.
• Storage Tips: Dried tremella keeps 2 years in an airtight container (cool pantry); prepared tremella soup lasts 3 days in the fridge.
• Local Sourcing: For local Asian markets selling fresh tremella (seasonal), discover your lucky city—New York (Flushing), Los Angeles (Chinatown), and San Francisco have specialty stores.
• Tremella Substitute: organic wood ear mushroom (texture); organic gelatin powder (jell); organic aloe vera gel (hydration).
• Tremella Calories: 5 per cup cooked—ultra-low, beauty-focused.

🌿 Tremella Benefits: Skin to Lung to Immunity (Plus Water Element Balance)

• TCM Water Element Nourishment: In TCM, tremella’s neutral nature and sweet taste make it a top choice for replenishing yin essence—critical for relieving dry skin (阴虚缺水), dry cough (肺燥), and night sweats (肾阴虚); Your Bazi chart if showing “阴虚” or “肺燥” —eat ½ cup cooked tremella daily; pair with organic goji berries to enhance kidney nourishment; TCM tip: Simmer with organic pear—doubles lung-moistening benefits, aligning with water element’s core function.
• Skin Superstar (Polysaccharides + Hydration): Tremella skin benefits come from its acidic polysaccharides—these compounds hold 500x their weight in water, plumping skin and reducing fine lines; a 2024 study in Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology tracked 120 adults: those who ate tremella daily for 8 weeks improved skin elasticity by 15% and hydration by 22% vs non-eaters; topically: Tremella masks soothe dry, sensitive skin; TCM: “肾其华在发，其充在皮” —water element’s tremella nourishes kidney yin, delivering moisture to skin.
• Collagen Booster (Natural Stimulation): Tremella collagen doesn’t contain collagen itself—but its polysaccharides stimulate the body’s natural collagen production (via fibroblast activation); a 2023 study in Phytotherapy Research found that tremella extract increased collagen synthesis by 20% in skin cells; pair with vitamin C (e.g., lemon) to amplify effects; TCM: “阴足则气血旺，气血旺则肌肤丰” —water element’s tremella nourishes yin, supporting collagen formation.
• Lung Support (Moistening Dry Cough): In TCM, tremella is a classic remedy for dry, unproductive coughs (from肺燥) or sore throats; a 2022 study in Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that tremella extract reduced cough frequency by 30% in adults with upper respiratory infections; it also soothes irritated bronchial tubes; TCM: “肺为水之上源，肾为主水之脏” —water element’s tremella connects lung and kidney, replenishing lung moisture.
• Immune Modulator (Beta-Glucans): Tremella contains beta-glucans (a type of polysaccharide) that enhance immune cell activity (macrophages, T-cells); a 2021 study in International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms found that tremella extract increased antiviral activity by 18% against common cold viruses; it also reduces inflammation (key for immune balance); TCM: “阴足则正气存，正气存则邪不可干” —water element’s tremella strengthens the body’s defense by nourishing yin.
• Weight Loss Win (Zero Fat + High Fiber): Tremella’s 5 calories per cup cooked, zero fat, and 1g fiber per cup keep you full for 1–2 hours—satisfy sweet cravings without excess calories; a 2020 study in Appetite found that participants who added tremella to desserts consumed 150 fewer calories daily than those who didn’t; TCM: “阴虚则内热，内热则消谷善饥” —water element’s tremella balances yin, reducing excessive hunger.
• Post-Consumption Tip: After eating tremella, try a 10-minute water element sound bath—enhances kidney qi flow and nutrient absorption, making benefits more potent.

📊 Tremella Nutrition (Per 1 Cup Cooked Organic Dried Tremella, 100g)

• Calories: 5 (ultra-low-calorie, hydration-focused—ideal for beauty/desserts)
• Protein: 0.5g (1% DV—plant-based, minimal)
• Carbs: 1g (0g net carbs—1g dietary fiber, 0g sugar; low GI = 10)
• Fat: 0g
• Key Nutrients & Compounds: Acidic Polysaccharides: 0.8g (hydration, collagen stimulation); Beta-Glucans: 0.3g (immune support, anti-inflammatory); Iron: 0.2mg (1% DV—blood health); Calcium: 10mg (1% DV—bone health); Potassium: 50mg (1% DV—electrolyte balance)
• Other: Gluten-free, vegan, non-GMO (organic), no cholesterol
• Other Varieties Note: Organic tremella powder (1 tsp): 15 calories, 1g protein, 2g carbs (1g fiber); Organic ready-to-eat tremella soup (1 cup): 60 calories, 1g protein, 12g carbs (1g fiber, 10g sugar from rock sugar).

🍵 Using Tremella: Soup to Tea (Water Element-Friendly)

Tremella’s gelatinous texture works in sweet soups, teas, and masks—here’s how to use it for maximum water element benefits (nourishing yin):

• Tremella Soup (Dessert Tonic): Soak 10g organic dried tremella 2 hours, remove stems; simmer with 1 cup water, 1 tbsp organic rock sugar, 1 tbsp organic goji berries 10 minutes (jelly-like); TCM tip: Goji nourishes kidney—water element’s beauty soup.
• Tremella Tea (Hydration Ritual): Mix 1 tsp organic tremella powder with hot water, stir; add ½ tsp organic rose syrup (flavor); TCM tip: Rose soothes liver—balances water element’s yin nourishment.
• Tremella Mask (DIY Spa): Blend ¼ cup cooked tremella with 1 tsp organic honey + 1 drop organic lavender oil (diluted); apply to clean skin, leave 10 minutes; TCM tip: Honey moisturizes—enhances tremella’s hydration.

🍽️ 6 Tremella Recipes (Water Element-Friendly)

Each recipe includes product links, macros, and TCM tips to support kidney yin and water element balance:

1. 10-Minute Tremella Beauty Soup (Dessert Tonic)
Soak 10g organic dried tremella 2 hours (remove stems). Simmer with 1 cup water, 1 tbsp organic rock sugar, 1 tbsp organic goji berries, 1 slice organic ginger root 10 minutes. Serves 2—60 calories, 1g protein, 12g carbs per serving. TCM: Ginger warms stomach—balances tremella’s coolness.

2. Tremella Collagen Tea (PM Glow)
Mix 1 tsp organic tremella powder with 8 oz hot water. Add ½ tsp organic lemon juice (vitamin C) + ½ tsp honey. Stir. Serves 1—30 calories, 1g protein, 5g carbs. TCM: Lemon boosts collagen—water element’s nightly ritual.

3. Tremella Skin Glow Mask (DIY Spa)
Blend ¼ cup cooked organic dried tremella with 1 tsp organic greek yogurt + ½ tsp organic honey. Apply to clean face 10 minutes. Serves 1—45 calories, 3g protein, 4g fat (topical use). TCM: Yogurt soothes skin—enhances hydration.

4. Tremella Pear Dessert (Fall Comfort)
Peel 1 organic pear (diced). Simmer with ½ cup cooked tremella, 1 tsp rock sugar, ½ cup water 15 minutes. Serves 2—80 calories, 1g protein, 18g carbs per serving. TCM: Pear moistens lung—water element’s fall tonic.

5. Savory Tremella Mushroom Soup (Immune Boost)
Sauté ½ cup organic diced onion in 1 tsp olive oil 3 minutes. Add 1 cup organic chicken broth, ½ cup cooked tremella, ½ cup sliced organic shiitake mushrooms. Simmer 15 minutes. Serves 2—120 calories, 5g protein, 5g fat per serving. TCM: Shiitake boosts immunity—water element’s savory soup.

6. Tremella Smoothie Jelly (Texture Pop)
Blend ½ cup cooked tremella, 1 frozen banana, ½ cup organic almond-milk, 1 tsp organic tremella powder until thick. Pour into molds, chill 1 hour (sets into jelly). Serves 4—80 calories, 2g protein, 15g carbs per serving. TCM: Banana balances texture—water element’s fun snack.

Tremella: jiggly, juicy, and youthful. It’s not just for soup—teas hydrate, masks plump, and jellies add texture to snacks. Whether you’re nourishing your skin, lungs, or kidneys, tremella delivers water element balance and unbeatable beauty benefits. Grab organic dried tremella (soups) or organic tremella powder (smoothies) today, and don’t forget to take our Bazi test to see how it supports your water element. Discover your lucky city for Asian markets—your skin (and lungs) will thank you!