Coconut Ball, Lily Bulb and Chestnut Soup

Why people make this soup

In Chinese food therapy, autumn dryness and winter heating alike can leave lungs feeling parched and skin looking dull. The Indian “coconut ball” is a small variety of coconut that fits neatly into a family-sized pot, carries a richer coconut fragrance than a full-sized variety, and is said to be gentle enough for people who need to watch their blood sugar. Paired with fresh lily bulb, sweet chestnuts and carrot, the result is a soup that is naturally sweet, light on the palate and genuinely pleasant for all ages. Indian coconut balls are available at Chinese or Asian grocers, or online.

Traditional food-therapy texts associate this combination with helping with dry coughs without phlegm, dry skin, mild urinary discomfort, and low milk supply in nursing mothers. Think of it as a gentle, everyday nourishing soup rather than a medicinal formula.