Guīlínggāo

''Guilinggao'' (), literal translated as tortoise jelly (though not technically correct) or turtle powder, is a jelly-like Chinese medicine, also sold as a dessert. It was traditionally made from the ''gao'', or paste of the plastron (bottom shell) from the turtle ''Cuora trifasciata'' (commonly known as "three-lined box turtle", or "golden coin turtle", 金錢龜), APPENDIX 1: "Golden Coin Turtle" (A report dated April 27, 2002 by ECES News (Earth Crash Earth Spirit)).
Quote: "The popularity of turtle jelly can be seen in the success of Ng Yiu-ming. His chain of specialty stores has grown from one shop in 1991 to 68 today, in Hong Kong, Macau, and mainland China. Ng also packs turtle jelly into portable containers sold at convenience stores. He insists no golden coin turtles are used. 'They're too expensive' he said. '... you know how to choose the herbal ingredients, jelly made from other kinds of turtles will be just as good.'" and a variety of herbal products, in particular, China roots ''Smilax glabra'' (土伏苓, ''Tu fu ling'')., APPENDIX 3: "Tortoise Jelly (Turtle Jelly)"
Although the critically endangered golden coin turtle (''Cuora trifasciata'') is commercially farmed in modern China, it is extremely expensive; Also at http://sites.google.com/site/jfparham/2008Shi.pdf therefore, even when turtle-derived ingredients are used in commercially available guilinggao, they come from other, more commonly available, turtle species., APPENDIX 2: "Softshell Turtle Farming". Quote: "Chinese softshell turtle used ... as a substitute ... for the golden coin turtle for making turtle jelly."

More often, commercially available guilinggao sold as a dessert does not contain turtle shell powder. They share the same herbal additives as the medicine and are similarly marketed as being good for skin complexion when ingested.

History

According to a legend, the Tongzhi Emperor nearly cured his smallpox by taking guilinggao. However, Empress Dowager Cixi believed his disease could be cured by worshipping a smallpox idol. She succeeded in convincing the emperor to quit his guilinggao regimen. The emperor died soon after.

Guilinggao is thought to be good for the skin, allowing for a healthier complexion upon repeated consumption. Other supposed positive effects of the jelly includes improving circulation, assisting muscle growth, relieving itching, reducing acne, and kidney restoration.

Variety

Regular guilinggao jelly is black in appearance; however, the actual color is more of a dark brown. Naturally, it is not sweet, but slightly bitter, although sweeteners such as honey can be added to make it more palatable.

Availability

Relatively inexpensive canned guilinggao jelly with poptop lids and plastic spoons for immediate consumption can be found in many East and Southeast Asian countries, as well as Chinatowns in the United States and Canada. It is also available for purchase in England and New Zealand. There are two varieties, one of them containing Lingzhi powder.

Preparation

Traditional guilinggao recipes require boiling turtle shell for many hours, first by itself, then with a variety of herbal ingredients, so that the liquid is gradually evaporated and a jelly-like residue forms. Rice flour and corn starch are added to thicken the product.

Guilinggao jelly can be prepared at home from commercially sold powdered concentrate (the "guilinggao powder"), similarly to how Jello is made. When it is prepared, other herbal substances, such as ginseng, are added to the jelly to give it certain tastes and medicinal values.

See also

*Grass jelly
*List of Chinese desserts
*List of desserts

References

*{{cite web, title=Endangered species issues affecting turtles and tortoises used in Chinese medicine, first=Subhuti, last=Dharmananda, url=http://www.itmonline.org/arts/turtles.htm See in particular:
APPENDIX 1: "Golden Coin Turtle" (A report dated April 27, 2002 by ECES News (Earth Crash Earth Spirit)),
APPENDIX 2: "Softshell Turtle Farming", and
APPENDIX 3: "Tortoise Jelly (Turtle Jelly)"

External links

Gui-ling-gao, a traditional Chinese functional food, prevents oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in H9c2 cardiomyocytes
on PubMed

Chinese desserts
Traditional Chinese medicine
Turtle dishes