What do you use peach gum for? A comprehensive guide to its culinary and health applications

Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for over 1500 years, peach gum is a natural resin prized for its versatility and purported health benefits. While its amber-like appearance is captivating, many people wonder, "what do you use peach gum for?" The answer spans from nourishing cuisine to skincare remedies.

Quick Summary

Peach gum, or tao jiao, is an edible resin from peach trees used extensively in Chinese cooking and traditional remedies. It's a key ingredient in dessert soups, noted for its gelatinous texture and purported skin-enhancing, digestive, and antioxidant properties. Proper preparation involves soaking and cleaning the dried amber-colored resin before use.

Key Points

• Culinary Versatility: Peach gum is a popular ingredient in both sweet Chinese dessert soups (tong sui) and savory braised dishes for its unique texture.

• Skin-Enhancing Properties: Rich in plant-based polysaccharides, peach gum is consumed for its reputed ability to improve skin hydration and elasticity.

• Traditional Remedies: In TCM, peach gum has a 'cooling' nature and is traditionally used to quench thirst, relieve stress, and support digestion.

• Proper Preparation is Key: The dried resin must be soaked overnight and thoroughly cleaned of impurities before cooking to achieve the desirable soft, jelly-like texture.

• Dietary Fiber Source: Peach gum is a good source of water-soluble fiber, which can aid in digestion and promote regular bowel movements.

• Vegan-Friendly Thickener: It serves as a vegan alternative to gelatin and can be used to thicken desserts and soups.

• Nutrient-Rich Profile: The resin contains polysaccharides, amino acids, and other beneficial compounds that contribute to overall wellness.

Culinary Uses: From Sweet Desserts to Savory Dishes

Peach gum's mild flavor and jelly-like texture make it a popular ingredient in both sweet and savory Chinese dishes. Most famously, it is used in nourishing dessert soups, known as tong sui.

Popular Peach Gum Desserts

• Classic Peach Gum Dessert Soup: A simple yet elegant dessert featuring soaked peach gum simmered with ingredients like rock sugar, dried longan, red dates, and goji berries. This concoction is known for its delicate sweetness and satisfying texture.
• Papaya with Peach Gum and Snow Fungus: This combination is a beauty powerhouse. The peach gum and snow fungus double-boil with papaya to create a hydrating and smooth dessert soup.
• Peach Gum with Milk: For a creamier, richer dessert, cooked peach gum can be added to milk (or coconut milk for a vegan option) and chilled.
• Peach Gum Chia Pudding: A modern twist, where soaked peach gum is layered with chia seed pudding for a textural, healthy treat.

Savory Applications

While less common, peach gum's thickening properties can be utilized in savory dishes as well.

• Braised Dishes: In some regional cuisines, like Zhejiang province, peach gum is added to braised pork belly during the final 15 minutes of cooking. It absorbs the rich flavors while adding a unique texture.
• Stir-Fries: For a different culinary experience, peach gum can be added to stir-fries with vegetables and tofu, offering a bouncy contrast to the other ingredients.

Skincare and Beauty Benefits

One of the most widely cited reasons for consuming peach gum is its reputation as a beauty food. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it is believed to enhance skin health from the inside out. While it doesn't contain animal-derived collagen, it is rich in plant-based polysaccharides that aid in skin hydration. Modern research also suggests peach gum polysaccharide (PGP) has potential benefits for skin health.

How peach gum benefits the skin

• Hydration: The plant-based polysaccharides in peach gum help lock in moisture, which is crucial for maintaining skin suppleness and elasticity.
• Anti-Aging: By supporting skin hydration and providing antioxidants, peach gum is thought to help reduce the visible signs of aging, such as dryness and wrinkles.
• Natural Alternative: For those seeking a plant-based alternative to expensive beauty treatments, peach gum is a traditional and accessible option.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Applications

Beyond its culinary and cosmetic appeal, peach gum has a long history in TCM for its medicinal properties. It is considered to have a 'cooling' nature and is used to treat various ailments.

TCM-related uses

• Quenches Thirst: In TCM, peach gum is used to help quench thirst and provide relief, likely due to its rehydrating properties.
• Stress Relief: Some classical medical literature notes its use in relieving stress.
• Digestive Health: Its water-soluble fiber content promotes intestinal peristalsis and bowel movements, aiding detoxification.

How to Prepare Peach Gum

Preparing peach gum is a straightforward process, but requires patience to ensure it is properly softened and cleaned.

Steps for preparation:

1. Soak: Place the dried peach gum in a large bowl with plenty of water. It will expand significantly, up to 10 times its original size, so use a bowl large enough to accommodate this expansion.
2. Wait: Soak for at least 12 hours, or ideally overnight. Soaking time can vary based on the quality of the gum.
3. Clean: Once the gum is soft and translucent, drain the water. Use a small pair of tweezers or your fingers to pick out any black impurities or bits of tree bark. Rinse the clean peach gum under running water.
4. Cook: Add the cleaned peach gum to your desired recipe. Be mindful not to overcook it, as it can dissolve. For desserts, add it towards the end of the simmering process.

Peach Gum vs. Other Similar Ingredients

Peach gum is often compared to other jelly-like ingredients in Chinese cuisine, but each has its own unique characteristics. The following table provides a clear comparison.

Feature	Peach Gum (Tao Jiao)	Snow Fungus (Bai Mu Er)	Bird's Nest (Yan Wo)
Source	Resin from peach trees	Fungus grown on logs	Secretions of swiftlet birds
Texture	Firm, jelly-like pearls	Soft, slightly crunchy	Soft, silky strands
Taste	Mild, neutral flavor	Mild, earthy flavor	Neutral, slightly savory
Key Benefit	Skin hydration & beauty	Hydration & immunity boost	High protein content, beauty
Cost	Budget-friendly	Very affordable	Extremely expensive
Preparation	Soaking overnight, cleaning	Soaking for 1-2 hours	Soaking, cleaning, double-boiling

Conclusion

Peach gum is a remarkable and versatile natural ingredient, offering a wide array of uses rooted in both traditional health practices and modern culinary trends. From enriching dessert soups to providing potential skin-enhancing benefits, it is a low-calorie, fiber-rich addition to a wellness-focused diet. As research continues to explore its polysaccharide content and health effects, peach gum's status as a 'superfood' continues to grow. For a deeper look into the science, see research on peach gum polysaccharides in this ScienceDirect article.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before making dietary changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does peach gum taste like?

On its own, peach gum is relatively tasteless and neutral. It takes on the flavors of the ingredients it is cooked with, making it a versatile component in both sweet and savory dishes.

Is peach gum safe for pregnant women or children?

While generally safe for adults in moderation, traditional Chinese medicine considers peach gum to have a 'cold' nature. Some sources suggest pregnant women and young children should exercise caution or avoid it, and it is best to consult a doctor before consumption.

How long do you need to soak peach gum?

Dried peach gum should be soaked in clean water for at least 10 to 15 hours, or overnight, until it expands and softens completely. The final texture should be soft and jelly-like without any hard spots.

Where can I buy peach gum?

Peach gum can be purchased from Chinese herbal or medicinal stores, Asian grocery stores, and various online retailers. When buying, look for food-grade, translucent pieces with minimal impurities for the best quality.

Can I use peach gum in savory dishes?

Yes, while most commonly used in desserts, peach gum can also be added to savory recipes, particularly braised dishes and stir-fries, to add a bouncy and tender texture.

Is peach gum the same as snow swallow?

No, peach gum and snow swallow are different. Peach gum is the resin from a peach tree, whereas snow swallow (a similar-looking ingredient) is the resin from the Pterocarpus marsupium tree. Both are plant-based and used in similar desserts.

What is the difference between peach gum and animal-derived collagen?

Peach gum contains plant-based polysaccharides, not the animal-derived protein collagen. While it is believed to help support the body's natural collagen production, it does not directly provide collagen protein.