Why is black fungus known as the king of vegetarian foods?

Introduction: Black fungus is extremely nutritious, a delicacy exclusively enjoyed by ancient emperors, earning it the reputation of "the king of vegetarian dishes" and "the meat among vegetables." According to records in the "Book of Rites, Nei Ze," annotations by Han scholar Zheng Xuan, and Chen Hao's "Commentary on the Book of Rites" from the Song Dynasty, it is proven that black fungus was a delicacy exclusively enjoyed by emperors in ancient times.

Nutritional Value of Black Fungus

Black fungus contains a large amount of carbohydrates, about 10% protein, and other effective nutrients such as fat, fiber, iron, calcium, phosphorus, carotene, vitamins B1, B2, and C. According to laboratory analysis, every 100 grams of black fungus contains 375 milligrams of calcium, equivalent to 7 times that of crucian carp; and 185 milligrams of iron, equivalent to 70 times that of crucian carp, making it an excellent natural blood-enriching food.

Black fungus is a precious medicinal herb. The famous Ming Dynasty pharmacologist Li Shizhen recorded in his "Compendium of Materia Medica" that black fungus "is sweet and neutral in nature, and its main function is to replenish Qi and alleviate hunger."

The gelatin in black fungus has the effect of moistening the lungs and cleansing the gastrointestinal tract, adsorbing and expelling impurities and waste from the digestive tract. According to research from the University of Minnesota Medical School, black fungus also contains a nucleic acid-like substance that can lower blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which is particularly beneficial for patients with coronary heart disease and arteriosclerosis. The polysaccharides in black fungus have anti-cancer properties, significantly increasing the components of globulin in the body, thereby enhancing antibodies and serving as a dietary therapy for cancer patients.

Black fungus has functions such as replenishing Qi and strengthening the body, nourishing the kidneys and stomach, and promoting blood circulation. It can inhibit blood clotting, prevent thrombosis, and lower blood lipids. Its effects include reducing blood viscosity, softening blood vessels, ensuring smooth blood flow, and reducing the incidence of cardiovascular diseases. Black fungus is also effective in dissolving gallstones and kidney stones because the plant alkaloids it contains promote the secretion of various glands in the digestive and urinary tracts. These alkaloids work with these secretions to catalyze the breakdown of stones and lubricate the intestines.

Sautéed Black Fungus

Black fungus also contains beneficial plant colloids and a substance called "polysaccharides," which is a natural tonic. Working together with the rich fiber in black fungus, they promote gastrointestinal motility and prevent constipation, helping to timely clear and expel toxic and harmful substances from the body, thus playing a role in preventing cancers such as colorectal cancer. They can also promote the excretion of fatty foods from the intestines, reduce the absorption of fat from food, and thus help prevent obesity and aid in weight loss. After cancer patients consume this polysaccharide.

Black fungus contains a component that inhibits platelet aggregation, and its anti-platelet aggregation effect is comparable to that of a low dose of aspirin, which can reduce blood viscosity and ensure smooth blood flow. Research results from the Beijing Heart-Lung Center have confirmed that consuming 10-15 grams of soaked black fungus daily has significant effects in inhibiting platelet aggregation, preventing coagulation, and lowering cholesterol. For middle-aged and elderly people with high blood viscosity and high blood cholesterol, regularly eating black fungus helps prevent cerebral thrombosis and myocardial infarction, and is beneficial for preventing and treating hyperlipidemia, arteriosclerosis, and coronary heart disease.

Research has also found that lipid peroxidation is closely related to aging, and black fungus has the effect of anti-lipid peroxidation, which can prolong life. Therefore, cooking with black fungus not only offers a variety of dishes with the characteristics of being fragrant, tender, smooth, and appetizing, but is also beneficial to human health, making it an ideal health food. Therefore, middle-aged and elderly people who regularly consume black fungus, or use it to congee, can achieve good results in preventing and treating various age-related diseases, fighting cancer, preventing cancer, and delaying aging.

West Lily and Black Fungus

Recommended Recipes

1. Black Fungus and Red Date Soup

Ingredients: 100g pork tenderloin, 10g black fungus, 8 red dates, ginger slices, 1 tablespoon of cooking wine, salt to taste.

Method: First, wash and shred the pork tenderloin. Soak the black fungus until it expands, remove the roots, wash it, and also shred it coarsely. Wash the red dates and cut them in half, removing the pits. Place water in a pot, add the shredded pork, shredded black fungus, red dates, and ginger slices. Add cooking wine, bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Skim off the foam from the surface of the soup, then season with salt.

Effect: Drink this soup once after breakfast and once after dinner daily. Regular consumption can help maintain a youthful complexion, remove blemishes, and promote fitness and muscle tone.

2. Black Fungus and Wolfberry Chicken Soup

Ingredients: 1 chicken, 10g black fungus, 10g wolfberries, ginger, cooking wine, salt to taste.

Method: First, clean the chicken. Soak the black fungus in water. Slice the ginger. Bring water to a boil in a pot, add the chicken to blanch and remove surface blood impurities, then remove and rinse with water. Place the chicken in a stew pot, add water, bring to a boil, then add a small amount of cooking wine, ginger, wolfberries, and black fungus, and stew for 2 hours. Finally, add salt to taste.

Effect: Suitable for people with general weakness, blood deficiency, insufficiency of the liver and kidneys, or poor digestive function.

Black Fungus Chicken Soup

3. Double Fungus Soup

Ingredients: 10g white fungus, 10g black fungus, 30g rock sugar.

Method: Soak the white fungus and black fungus in warm water until they expand, remove impurities, wash them, and place them in a bowl. Add rock sugar and an appropriate amount of water. Steam in a steamer for 1 hour until the fungus is tender.

Effect: Can be eaten in portions or all at once, eating the fungus and drinking the soup, twice a day. Nourishes Yin and moistens the lungs, tonifies the kidneys and strengthens the brain. Suitable for kidney Yin deficiency, vascular sclerosis, hypertension, lung Yin deficiency with coughing, wheezing, etc.

4. Cold-dressed Black Fungus

Ingredients: Dried black fungus, cucumber, red chili, garlic, green onion, sesame seeds, salt, MSG, sesame oil.

Method: First, soak the black fungus until it expands. Remove the roots and any impurities from the black fungus, wash it, and blanch it in boiling water for a moment. Lift out, drain the water, and place in a bowl. Add shredded cucumber, shredded red chili, minced garlic, sesame seeds, salt, MSG, and sesame oil. Mix well and serve.

Effect: Refreshing and delicious, easy to digest.

Cold-dressed Black Fungus