Snow Swallow Dessert ~ 天然野生雪燕

 

Natural Wild Tragacanth Gum 'Snow Swallow' or Xue Yan is a gum derived from different varieties of sterculia trees.  It's actually a sap drained from the root of the plant and  the gum dries as it exudes and is then collected.  Once rehydrated will increase to about ten times in size and their white stringy, jelly like strands texture resembles that of the much prized and highly valued bird's nest.  One thing to take note when cooking this dessert is that the gum is highly soluble in water and cannot be boiled too long.

Since it is 'cooling' for our internal organs, the elderlies should take this in moderation and not recommended for nursing mums for the breast milk may cause the baby to purge.

Snow Swallow Dessert  ~   天然野生雪燕

Ingredients

• 8 gm Snow Swallow gums
• 10 gm red dates
• 10 gm goji berries
• 20 gm dried longan
• Rock or piece sugar to taste
• 1 litre water
• Pandan leaves (optional)

Method

1. Soak the Snow Swallow gums in plenty of water for at least 8 hours or overnight.  Remove any impurities.
2. Boil the red dates and pandan leaves in 1 litre of water for about 30 minutes.
3. Add in the dried longan and goji berries, simmer for about 10 minutes, then add in the snow swallow.  Simmer for another 10 minutes.  Add in rock or piece sugar to taste.
4. Serve warm or preferably, chilled.