Codonopsis Peanut Quail Soup

Why people make this soup

Nourilo has a personal fondness for codonopsis root — he once bought a whole kilogram of freshly harvested, unprocessed dang shen from a farmer working the fields in Xinjiang. Covered in earth, the roots looked rough and humble, yet when simmered they produced a soup of extraordinary sweetness and fragrance. That experience deepened his appreciation for this unassuming herb. In traditional Chinese medicine, codonopsis is considered a gentler, more accessible cousin of ginseng: it is said to strengthen the spleen and lungs, nourish blood and promote the production of body fluids. This soup is especially valued for people who feel constantly tired, look pale, have low appetite, or — for new mothers — find their milk supply insufficient. The peanuts add a creamy richness while also being associated with blood nourishment, making this a soup that feels as comforting as it is purposeful.