Soups
Cicada Flower, Goji and Carrot Soup
Traditionally associated with supporting eyesight and protecting the eyes
Why people make this soup
Bro Niu has long been struck by how closely the cicada flower’s life cycle mirrors that of cordyceps: a cicada larva colonised by a fungus, from whose head a pale, branching fruiting body emerges in summer, then dried for use. Folk tradition has used it for children’s restlessness, night-crying and weakening eyesight, and modern research has noted its composition is similar to cordyceps. Paired with goji, prinsepia kernel and carrot, this gentle soup is enjoyed to support the eyes and build general vitality.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Adults and children wanting to support eyesight — said to help with near-sightedness, far-sightedness, astigmatism and early lens cloudiness; non-vegetarians can add pork liver or lean pork
- Cicada flower and goji are tonic herbs, so it is best taken after a cold has fully cleared
- Cicada flower is neutral in nature and suits both warm and cold constitutions
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Cicada flower (jin chan hua): neutral; traditionally used for children’s complaints and to support vision and overall vitality.
- Goji (gou qi zi): a tonic berry traditionally associated with brightening the eyes.
- Prinsepia kernel (rui ren rou): an eye-care herb traditionally said to dispel wind-heat and brighten the eyes.
- Carrot (gan sun): rich in fat-soluble vitamin A, which needs some oil to be released — hence the splash of oil.
Ingredients (4-5 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cicada flower (jin chan hua) | 4 qian (~15 g) | Soak soft; rinse off the grit, keep the head-flower and mycelium |
| Goji berries (gou qi zi) | 5 qian (~19 g) | |
| Prinsepia kernel (rui ren rou) | 3 qian (~11 g) | |
| Carrots (gan sun) | 2 | Peeled and chunked |
| Oil | a little | Or add pork liver / lean pork if not vegetarian |
Method
- Soak the cicada flower until soft and wash off the mud and sand (keep the flower at the head and the mycelium on the body — do not discard them).
- Rinse the goji and prinsepia kernel. Peel and chunk the carrots.
- Put everything in a pot with a little oil and simmer for about 1 hour. The flower at the head of the cicada flower is edible.
Bro Niu’s tips
The vitamin A in carrots and goji is fat-soluble and protective for the optic nerve, so you must add a little oil to release these helpful compounds. If you are not vegetarian, add pork liver or lean pork. The cicada flower can look a little startling — chopping it finely makes it more appetising, and you can also cook it inside a soup bag.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (anit): My son works late at the computer. Is cicada flower very cold in nature (he is young but cold-constitution)? And how do I clean it — it looks scary and the soak-water stays pale yellow. Bro Niu: Cicada flower is neutral in nature; both cold and warm constitutions can use it. It is a colonised insect like cordyceps; the soaking water will leach some colour, which is fine — once the mud is washed off it is ready. Pop it in a soup-bag and remove the bag after cooking; the herbal taste is mild.
- Q (visitor): Can I drink this soup during a cold? Bro Niu: Cicada flower and goji are tonic herbs, so it is best to drink this soup only after a cold has cleared.
- Q (Annie Lee): Can the rest of the cicada flower be eaten besides the head-flower, and can the prinsepia kernel be eaten? Can I halve the recipe for one person? Bro Niu: Once washed clean, the whole cicada flower can be eaten. Yes, you can halve it for one person. Chop the cicada flower finely or it looks a bit startling.
Published April 9, 2011 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
