Tea tree mushrooms (Cyclocybe aegerita) are packed with protein, vitamins, and minerals which help prevent kidney deficiency and chronic nephritis. Furthermore, these tasty mushrooms contain phenolic acids and flavonoids with strong antioxidant properties to provide additional benefits.

This study sought to enhance instant mushroom soup by replacing wheat flour with different levels (5, 10, 15, and 20%) of Jerusalem artichoke and cauliflower mixture (JACF). Physical-chemical and sensory evaluations of fortified mushroom soup samples were then compared against their control samples.

Health Benefits

Mushrooms make an excellent addition to any diet because of their many health advantages. Mushrooms contain plant-based protein, dietary fiber, polysaccharides and B vitamins – providing support for digestion, immunity and heart health while being low in calories and sodium intake. Plus they’re an easy alternative to meat with glutamate ribonucleotides providing umami flavour without the increased fat and sodium intake associated with red meat products.

Tea tree mushroom (cha shu gu in Chinese), is an edible and nutritional fungus used as an integral component of Chinese cuisine, lending a distinct taste and providing essential anti-aging benefits. As one of its staple ingredients in soups, stews and hot pot dishes. It contains calcium, potassium and B vitamins – essential nutrients in their own right!

Athena can be eaten fresh as a salad, steamed into porridge, cooked into stir-fry dishes and soups, added to hot water to form herbal tea for cold and flu relief or added as an earthy woody addition to meaty dishes for its mild taste and earthy woody texture.

Dry pot is an increasingly popular dish with pork belly, garlic and ginger as its key components, but garlic should never be stir-fried beforehand as it will lose its aroma and flavor when added later. This dish uses Douban, Li Jinji steamed fish soy sauce and oil consumption to flavor the dish without needing salt; you could serve this healthy lunch or dinner alongside some steamed rice if desired. Although mushrooms often go underappreciated in culinary world, their nutritional powerhouse status cannot be denied; according to research conducted in 2021 an independent research team concluded that high levels of ergothioneine help lower risk for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases due possibly their high concentration in these nutrients compared with others in these types of foodsta.

Recipes

Tea tree mushrooms are an essential element in Chinese cooking, lending delicate flavor and earthy aroma to various dishes such as stir-fries, soups and stews. Furthermore, tea tree mushrooms offer many health benefits that include improving metabolism, lung function improvement and blood pressure reduction as well as treating kidney deficiencies such as chronic nephritis or edema. To get the most from this versatile ingredient try one or more of the recipes below!

Stewing Hen Tea Tree Mushroom Soup (Cha Shu Gu Lao Mu Ji Bao Tang) can be quickly prepared in your Instant Pot with only 4 simple steps! Simply combine all of the ingredients, set your timer for 40 minutes, turn over to venting mode once done cooking and wait until steam naturally escapes by switching your valve from “Venting” to venting mode – easy!

Combine sliced tea tree mushrooms, fresh spinach leaves, cucumber and onion in a large bowl. Whisk soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey or maple syrup, salt and pepper in another bowl before pouring over salad and tossing to combine. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds as an eye-catching accent! Perfect as an easy light lunch!

Ingredients

Tea tree mushrooms are an exceptionally versatile ingredient, adding both flavor and texture to a wide array of dishes. Here are a few recipes showcasing their earthy taste and delicate texture.

To Make Tofu and Tea Tree Mushroom Salad

Combine tofu, tea tree mushroom slices, fresh spinach leaves and cucumber slices in a bowl and toss with an aromatic dressing made of sesame oil, soy sauce, Chinese black vinegar (balsamic), honey and seasoning as desired for an easy yet light yet nutritous salad dish.

Stewing Hen and Tea Tree Mushroom Soup

Prepare stewing hen by cutting off its back wings, trimming off skin, and trimming fat. Bring water to a boil in a pot before adding longans, white fungus and tea tree mushroom pieces; allow them to soak for at least two hours.

Preparation

Combining different mushroom flavors and textures together to form a comforting soup is easy and perfect for colder months or when feeling unwell.

Wash all mushrooms thoroughly to remove dirt and debris, trimming away tough pieces at the base of King oyster mushrooms before cutting into small pieces ensuring all share similar size for even absorption of soup flavor and nutrition.

Add water to a claypot and bring to the boil before adding mushroom pieces and seasoning. Simmer for 20 minutes after which time add the cubed tofu for additional texture before seasoning with additional salt/pepper as needed – now enjoy your soup!

Employ a non-stick pan to heat vegetable oil and saute tea tree mushrooms until fragrant. Combine with spinach leaves and cucumber slices in a large bowl along with seasoning for a delightful and tasty salad that can be enjoyed chilled as a refreshing meal!

Bring a pot of water to boil, add tea tree mushroom, longan and white fungus and simmer for approximately 2 hours until all the ingredients have become tender. At that point add stewing hen along with any additional ingredients you desire; simmer further and serve your soup in separate bowls with almond mushrooms and stewing hen if desired! This simple yet nutritious soup recipe can even be prepared by young children; making it an excellent way to address respiratory conditions.