Black Sugarcane, Water Chestnut, Red Date and Longan Sweet Soup

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.