Soups
Adzuki Bean, Black-Eyed Pea, Job's Tears and Old Cucumber Soup
Traditionally clears summer heat and dispels damp
Why people make this soup
Bro Niu here. In the heat of summer I love using gourds and melons in soup, and old cucumber and winter melon are both fine summer choices. Old cucumber is a favourite of mine — and a little tip: the two ends of a cucumber carry a touch of bitterness, but do not be too quick to cut it away, as that mild bitter note is part of what makes it good. Paired with adzuki bean, black-eyed pea and Job’s tears, this soup is traditionally enjoyed in hot, sticky weather, especially when you feel restless with dark, scanty urine and a touch of puffiness.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People feeling the heat and damp of hot weather, with a restless, swollen feeling
- The red dates temper the cooling nature of old cucumber, so it is gentle enough for young and old
- Job’s tears is traditionally avoided in pregnancy
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Adzuki bean (chi xiao dou): Traditionally used to support healthy fluid balance and ease swelling.
- Black-eyed pea (mei dou): Traditionally associated with strengthening the spleen and dispelling damp.
- Job’s tears (yi mi): Traditionally used to strengthen the spleen and dispel damp.
- Old cucumber (lao huang gua): A cooling summer melon; the red dates balance its cool nature.
Ingredients (4–5 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adzuki beans | ~40 g | Soak and rinse |
| Black-eyed peas | ~40 g | Soak and rinse |
| Raw Job’s tears | ~40 g | Soak and rinse |
| Red dates | 6 | Pitted |
| Old cucumber | 1 | Scrape out the pith, cut into pieces |
| Pork ribs | ~450 g | Blanch |
Method
- Soak and rinse the adzuki beans, black-eyed peas and Job’s tears. Scrape the pith from the old cucumber and cut into pieces. Pit the red dates. Blanch the pork ribs.
- Cook all the ingredients in 8–9 bowls of water for 2 hours, reducing to 4–5 bowls. Serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
The red dates added here soften the cool nature of old cucumber, so it is fine for young and old. You can use 2 honey dates instead of the red dates if you prefer.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Alice): Can I use cashews, walnuts or chestnuts in place of pork ribs in this soup? Can most soups use these three nuts instead of meat? Bro Niu: Yes, you can use cashews or walnut meat in place of meat — most soups can be made this way.
- Q (Kaka): Can someone drink adzuki and Job’s tears soup after a stroke? Bro Niu: Yes, adzuki and Job’s tears soup can be had after a stroke.
- Q (maggie): My 4-year-old keeps coughing after a fever, with no runny or blocked nose. There was a phlegmy sound at first, then it faded — what soup can I make? Bro Niu: You can make a congee with 1 carrot and 12 pitted red dates for the child, 3–4 doses a week. Red dates contain a substance traditionally believed to help calm overactive allergy cells, so this is especially gentle for children with an allergy-type cough.
Published August 7, 2024 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
