Soups
Black Sugarcane, Water Chestnut, Red Date and Longan Sweet Soup
traditionally associated with nourishing blood, brightening complexion, and moistening the skin — especially suited for women after menstruation
Why people make this soup
Most people in the West are familiar with green sugarcane juice, but fewer have encountered the purple-black variety — hei pi zhe, or black sugarcane. Black sugarcane is unusually high in iron compared to its green counterpart and has a warmer, more nourishing character. It is traditionally considered an excellent food for those with anaemia, and particularly valued by women after their monthly cycle to help replenish what has been lost. Paired with the classic blood-nourishing duo of red dates and longan — along with water chestnut for a little lightness and freshness — the result is a beautifully balanced sweet soup that is both genuinely delicious and gently restorative.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Particularly well suited to women after menstruation, those with mild anaemia, or anyone who tends to look pale and feel fatigued
- Warming in nature; those with a sore throat, active fever, or significant inflammation should wait until these symptoms pass before drinking this soup
- A pleasant treat for the whole family in reasonable amounts
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Black sugarcane (hei pi zhe): The purple-black skin signals a higher iron content than green or yellow sugarcane. Its nature is considered warmer and more nourishing than the cool, heat-clearing green bamboo cane (qing pi zhu zhe). Traditionally associated with tonifying blood and nourishing the skin.
- Red dates (hong zao): One of the most widely used blood-nourishing foods in Chinese food therapy; associated with supporting the spleen, replenishing qi and blood, calming the mind, and brightening the complexion.
- Dried longan flesh (yuan rou / long yan rou): Warm and sweet; traditionally considered an excellent heart and spleen tonic that nourishes blood and calms the mind. Often paired with red dates in women’s tonic soups.
- Water chestnut (ma ti): Cool and refreshing; helps balance the warmth of the other ingredients and keeps the soup from feeling too heating. Also adds a naturally fresh, sweet flavour to the broth.
- Brown sugar / raw cane sugar (hong tang): Warmer than refined white sugar; traditionally associated with moving blood and easing menstrual discomfort; used here to gently sweeten the finished soup.
Ingredients (3–4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Black sugarcane (hei pi zhe) | 1 section (~200–300 g) | Peel and split into smaller pieces |
| Water chestnuts (ma ti) | 6 pieces | Peel and rinse |
| Red dates (hong zao) | 8 pieces | Pitted |
| Dried longan flesh (yuan rou) | 10 pieces | Rinse briefly |
| Brown sugar (hong tang) | Small amount | Stir in at the end to taste |
Method
- Peel the black sugarcane, then cut or split into smaller pieces so the sweetness can be extracted easily.
- Peel and rinse the water chestnuts.
- Pit the red dates.
- Combine all ingredients except the brown sugar in a pot with 6 bowls of water.
- Bring to a boil, then simmer over medium heat for 30 minutes.
- Stir in the brown sugar and cook until dissolved.
- Serve warm. Both the broth and the ingredients can be enjoyed.
Bro Niu’s tips
The difference between green and black sugarcane is worth understanding: green bamboo cane (qing pi zhu zhe) is cool in nature, excellent for clearing heat, settling the stomach, and easing nausea — more suitable for summer use or for those who run hot. Black sugarcane is warmer and more nourishing, making it the better choice for a blood-replenishing tonic. Both varieties are available at Chinese or Asian grocers. This soup is warming by nature, so save it for after a sore throat or fever has fully resolved.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Ming): I have both spleen and blood deficiency. My hands and feet are always cold. I feel constantly exhausted and seem unable to absorb tonic foods properly. What can help? Bro Niu: Try making red date, millet, and brown sugar congee as a regular breakfast — about 4 times a week. This is a very gentle, warming way to support spleen function and blood production without the risk of being too heating. Congee is easy to digest and well absorbed even by those with weak constitutions.
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Q (茵): I am undergoing IVF treatment and trying to conceive after a miscarriage. I am concerned about blood deficiency. Is there a safe food-therapy approach for me? Bro Niu: You can make a gentle blood-nourishing soup with 1 liang of red beans, 1 liang of peanuts, 3 qian of goji berries, and 6 pitted red dates in 5 bowls of water — simmer down to 2 bowls. Try to eat some of the ingredients as well, not just the liquid. Take this 2–3 times a week. It is safe and supportive. During this period, eat and drink warm foods, avoid raw, cold, or icy foods, avoid barley (yi mi), papaya, herbal teas, and herbs with blood-moving properties.
Published January 18, 2018 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
