Thick golden-amber sheets of sun-dried swim bladder, one of the great texture ingredients of Chinese soup cookery. Soaked and simmered, they turn soft, gelatinous and faintly sweet.

What It Is

The swim bladder of large marine fish, cleaned, flattened and dried whole. Each piece is stiff and translucent in the pack, pale gold to amber, with a smooth inner face. It has no taste of its own to speak of: what it brings to a dish is body and a soft, slippery bite.

Where It Comes From

Collected at processing plants on the South China coast and dried on racks in open sun, turned daily, with no sulphur fumigation and no bleach. The colour comes from the sun alone.

Specifications

• Form: Whole dried bladder, flattened
• Net weight: 2 kg per box
• Grade: Thick wall, 6–8 times expansion after soaking
• Packaging: Sealed food-grade bag, then boxed

State

Dry, shelf stable, no refrigeration needed before opening. Naturally firm and slightly flexible rather than brittle.

Storage & Shelf Life

• Unopened: up to 24 months in a cool, dry, dark cupboard
• Rehydrated: refrigerate and cook within 48 hours
• Soaking: 24 to 48 hours in cold water, changed several times
• Do not refreeze once soaked

Shelf Life & Delivery

Production date and best before date are printed on the bag. Shipped dry in a sealed outer box, no cold chain required.

How to Cook

• Soak until fully soft, blanch with ginger, then simmer in chicken stock for two hours
• Braise with shiitake and a dark soy base until the sauce clings
• Slice into strips and add to a clear seafood broth at the end
• Simmer with rock sugar and milk for a soft, cool dessert

Allergens

Contains fish. Packed in a facility that also handles shellfish. Sold as food only, with no health or medical claims.