Papaya and Snow Fungus Dessert Soup (木瓜雪耳糖水) for Better Looking Skin

Whenever my throat was sore and dry, I would cook this dessert. The snow fungus (雪耳) gives the water a gelatinous and soothing quality that coats and calms the burning throat. The sweetness from papaya and rock sugar is fresh and pleasant. When you get a load of the health and beauty benefits of this dessert, you will absolutely want to make it.

The benefits of our key ingredients: 
The fungus is believed to have anti-aging properties for the skin and promote the function of cells involved in our bodies' immunity system.
The apricot kernels (南北杏) used in this soup are known to be good for your respiratory tract; relieves coughs.
Papaya is packed with vitamin A, E, and C perfect for skin nourishment and anti-oxidation! It is abundant in dietary fibre and enzymes that aid digestion. The alkaline nature of the fruit makes it soothing for acid indigestion. (The benefits are endless! There are many other DIY papaya skin care ideas, I cannot wait to give them a try.)

BeautyQQ, a youtube beauty guru, shared her DIY snow fungus serum. Even if I told you she's in her late thirties, you would not believe me. She has amazingly beautiful skin and a very fun personality. Should check her out. Anyhow, all I've done is incorporate the making of serum into this dessert soup recipe. Now, you can eat, drink, and use your dessert! Make your very own, preservatives-free, inexpensive, hydration and brightening serum. Why buy snow fungus infused skin care products when you can DIY? :P

Where to purchase:
Snow fungus: you can find them in Asian supermarkets, but I would suggest going to a Chinese herbal/medicinal store to pick them out. Choose ones that are yellow with dark roots/base. Even though the pale/white ones look pretty, they have been BLEACHED... so avoid avoid avoid! Smell them to make sure they don't give off a pungent, stinging scent that is indicative of bleach
Apricot kernels are sold in packages in Asian supermarkets.
Papaya, almost any supermarkets

Honestly, girls, this is so simple yet impressive to the boyfriend's parents.

Ingredients
1 whole fresh papaya
2 tbsp apricot kernels
1 1/2 cup dried snow fungus
4 tbsp cane/rock sugar
2 L water

1. Soak apricot kernels
2. Soak snow fungus in water at room temperature. The fungus should expand and dirt should be loosened. Change the water a few times until clear. Trim and discard the root of the fungus.
3. Bring water to a boil. Add kernels and fungus. Simmer for an hour.
4. Remove skin and seeds from papaya and cut into bite sized chunks.
5. Optional step: DIY white fungus serum *see below
6. Add papaya and sugar. Simmer for another 30 minutes. Serve


DIY serum: The water should now be slimy when rubbed between fingers. That is the essence extracted from the fungus. Take a 1/4 cup of the water, pass it through a sieve and keep in a cleaned bottle. You have just made a snow fungus serum! It is free of preservatives, moisturizes and brightens your skin. It should last in the fridge for up to 10 days. Simply apply it onto your face and neck and massage until absorbed. I used it day and night for almost 3 weeks (So yes, I made it almost every week).

You will immediately feel the moisturizing effects and a slight tightening in your skin. My skin felt more calm and less red. I don't think I used it long enough to really see the lightening of my freckles, but my complexion was definitely less dull :) I just wish I didn't run out of snow fungus!