Hai Yu Zhu (Solomon's Seal), Pear, Apple and Water Chestnut Sweet Soup

Why people make this soup

When autumn arrives, cooler, drier air can leave the skin feeling rough, the throat scratchy, and the bowels sluggish. Traditional Chinese food therapy calls this seasonal pattern “autumn dryness” (秋燥), and addresses it with ingredients that moisten and nourish from the inside out. This soup does exactly that. The key ingredient, hai yu zhu, is classified as a type of huang jing (Polygonatum), sharing similar nourishing properties with the more commonly known yu zhu, but with a more fragrant, mellow flavour. Combined with juicy snow pears, apples, and crisp water chestnuts, the result is a naturally sweet, clear soup that needs very little preparation and tastes wonderful. Nourilo recommends it for the whole family through the autumn and winter months — it is particularly helpful for those with a tendency toward sallow complexion or sluggish circulation.