Black Bean Juice

Why people make this drink

Sometimes the most powerful remedies are the simplest. Black soybeans have been used in Chinese food-therapy for centuries, and they carry a natural mild sweetness that makes this drink genuinely pleasant to sip. In modern nutritional terms, black soybeans are rich in anthocyanins (the pigment that makes them dark), plant-based protein, fibre, and minerals — all things with reasonable scientific backing for cardiovascular support. In traditional food-therapy, black soybeans are associated with nourishing kidney and spleen, supporting healthy vision, calming the spirit, and helping with conditions ranging from high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol to fatigue, fluid retention, and watery eyes in the wind.

Method

1. Rinse the black soybeans and soak in cold water for at least 1 hour (this softens the beans and improves extraction). Drain and discard the soaking water.
2. Place the drained beans in a pot with 1.5 L of fresh water.
3. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a medium-low simmer.
4. Cook for approximately 45 minutes, then turn off the heat.
5. Leave to steep (covered) for 1 hour — this allows further extraction of colour and nutrients.
6. Divide the resulting liquid across 2–3 servings and drink throughout the day.

Nourilo’s Tips

The green-fleshed black soybean (qing ren hei dou) is the one to ask for specifically at a Chinese grocery or herb shop — the variety where the bean inside is green rather than yellow. After cooking the beans, do not throw away the solids: drain them, then dry-fry in a pan without oil until fragrant (the skins will begin to split), and keep refrigerated. Eat a tablespoon or two daily as a snack — they are nourishing for kidney and spleen and support clear vision, but do not eat too many at once as they can be heavy on the stomach. Black bean juice can also be applied externally to relieve itchy skin. For those who prefer, making fresh black soybean milk in a soy milk machine is also a nourishing approach, though people with gout should still avoid it.