The fruit of the orchid tree, a member of the orchid family, is called the orchid fruit. Its main value lies in its medicinal use, and the most common culinary use of the orchid fruit is in making orchid tofu, which has the effects of clearing heat, relieving summer heat, and dispelling cold. Let's now learn about the benefits and methods of consuming orchid fruit.
Orchid fruit image
【Benefits and Effects of Orchid Fruit】
1. Dispels wind and dampness
Orchid fruit contains compounds such as taxifolin and bergamot lactone, which have anti-rheumatic effects and can be used to treat rheumatism and pain.
2. Clears heat and reduces swelling
Orchid fruit contains various organic acids, taxifolin, coumarins, and dandelion taraxasterol acetate, which have the effects of clearing heat, cooling blood, promoting blood circulation, and reducing swelling. It can be used to treat abscesses, boils, injuries from falls, and other conditions.
3. Nourishes the kidneys and strengthens essence
Orchid fruit contains a large amount of acidic substances, which have astringent properties and can treat conditions such as nocturnal emission and impotence caused by kidney deficiency.
4. Anti-cancer
The ethanolic extract of orchid fruit contains compounds such as myo-inositol, coumarins, beta-sitosterol, dandelion taraxasterol acetate, and beta-amyrin acetate, which have anti-tumor and anti-cancer effects.
Orchid fruit image
【Methods of Consuming Orchid Fruit】
1. Ginseng and Orchid Fruit Soup
Method: Soak 10 grams of white ginseng and 10 pieces of orchid fruit in water. Steam with 30 grams of rock sugar for one hour before consumption.
Usage: The ginseng can be left for the next day and steamed with orchid fruit using the same method. This can be repeated for three times.
Effect: It nourishes qi and spleen and is suitable for post-illness weakness, spleen deficiency leading to emaciation, fatigue, spontaneous sweating, and diarrhea.
2. Stewed Pig's Stomach with Lotus Fruit
Method: Wash a pig's stomach and stuff it with 40 pieces of orchid fruit (without the core). Sew it with thread and stew until cooked. Slice the pig's stomach and place it on a plate with the lotus fruit. Add appropriate amount of sesame oil, salt, scallion, ginger, and garlic for seasoning.
Usage: It invigorates the spleen and stomach, nourishes deficiency, and benefits qi. It is suitable for reduced appetite, emaciation, diarrhea, and edema.
Orchid fruit image
【Method of Making Orchid Tofu】
1. Extract the juice
Wrap the orchid fruit in gauze and squeeze it in a basin filled with cold water. Keep squeezing until a viscous juice is extracted. Repeat the process until the extracted juice is no longer viscous.
2. Coagulate the juice
After the squeezing process is complete, add the coagulant "shuidilong", or a small amount of lotus root powder (preferably the lotus root powder that has settled after juicing, whether it is dry or wet).
The liquid in the water will coagulate into a jelly-like substance. Then put it in the refrigerator (in the past, it was placed in a well to cool), and the liquid from the orchid fruit juice will turn into a jelly-like substance. When consumed, add sugar and mint water to make the refreshing and heat-relieving orchid tofu.
