Soups

Daylily, Goji Berry, Spinach and Pork Liver Soup

Traditionally associated with calming the spirit, supporting liver health and nourishing blood

Prep
15 min
Cook
30 min
Total
45 min
Makes
0.9–1.2 L
Daylily, Goji Berry, Spinach and Pork Liver Soup

Why people make this soup

Daylily buds — also called huang hua cai (yellow flower vegetable), wang you cao (forget-worries herb) or xuan cai — have been eaten in Chinese cuisine for centuries and are enjoyed as much for their mild, savoury flavour as for their traditional health associations. In Chinese food therapy, daylily is considered to calm the mind, support brain function and help reduce the emotional heat that comes from a busy, overstimulated liver. This is particularly relevant for people who tend to stay up late, work under pressure, are prone to mood swings, or are going through the hormonal fluctuations of menopause — all conditions where traditional medicine points to the liver as a key organ to support.

Combined with goji berries (traditionally nourishing to the liver and kidneys), spinach (iron-rich, blood-supporting) and pork liver (a classical blood-building ingredient in Chinese cooking), this soup is light, clear-tasting and broadly nourishing — suitable for children who tend to be irritable, and for adults managing stress or anaemia.

Members only

Unlock the full method & Nourilo's tips

One payment, lifetime access to every one of our 2,303 recipes — step-by-step methods, preparation tips and serving notes.

  • Full step-by-step method for this and all 2,303 recipes
  • Nourilo's Tips — sourcing, substitutions and serving notes
  • One-time payment via PayPal · no subscription, no renewals

Checking your access…

Frequently asked questions

Who is this soup traditionally suited for?

The soup is described as suitable for the whole family — children and adults alike. It is traditionally associated with supporting people who tend to stay up late, work under pressure, are prone to mood swings, or are going through the hormonal fluctuations of menopause, as well as adults managing stress or anaemia.

What role do daylily buds traditionally play in this soup?

Daylily buds are traditionally considered in Chinese food therapy to calm the mind, support brain function, and help reduce the emotional heat commonly associated with an overstimulated liver. They have been eaten in Chinese cuisine for centuries, valued both for their mild, savoury flavour and their traditional health associations.

Is this soup gentle enough for children?

Yes. The file notes this soup is suitable for children, and specifically mentions that for children who tend to have a hot, irritable temperament and throw frequent tantrums, regular servings are traditionally thought to be helpful. Its mellow, slightly savoury taste works well for both children and adults.

How long does this soup take to prepare and cook?

Preparation takes approximately 15 minutes and cooking takes 30 minutes, for a total time of around 45 minutes. The recipe yields approximately 0.9 to 1.2 litres of soup.

Is there a tip for getting the most from the pork liver?

The recipe recommends briefly blanching the sliced pork liver in boiling water before adding it to the soup, which removes impurities and eliminates any liver scent. Adding a very small amount of cooking oil when serving is traditionally thought to help with the absorption of fat-soluble vitamin A from the pork liver.

Comments

Loading comments…