Soups
Cordyceps Flower, Fresh Chinese Yam, Goji and Wild Duck Soup
Traditionally taken to nourish the body and support resilience to colds
Why people make this soup
With the new school term looming, respiratory bugs spread fast among excited kids who forget to wash their hands. Bro Niu’s gentle reminder: if your child shows respiratory symptoms, keep them home and see a doctor — but everyday nourishment can help build resilience. This cordyceps-flower, yam, goji and wild-duck soup is traditionally taken to moisten and nourish the body, support the kidneys, and strengthen the constitution, and it’s mild enough for young and old.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- The whole family, young and old, who want a nourishing soup to help build resilience during cold season.
- Avoid during an active cold with fever.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Cordyceps flower spore heads (chong cao bao zi tou): the nourishment is concentrated in the head; traditionally used to support the lungs and kidneys and strengthen the body.
- Fresh Chinese yam (xian huai shan): traditionally used to nourish and support the body.
- Goji berries (gou qi zi): traditionally associated with nourishing the liver and eyes.
- Red dates (hong zao): traditionally used to nourish the blood and add sweetness.
- Wild duck (shui ya): a flavourful, moistening base for the soup.
Ingredients (4–5 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cordyceps flower spore heads | ~19 g (5 qian) | Rinse |
| Fresh Chinese yam | ~150 g (4 tael) | Peel, cut in lengths |
| Goji berries | ~11 g (3 qian) | Rinse, soak |
| Red dates | 6 | Pitted |
| Wild duck | ½–1 | Clean, chop, blanch |
Method
- Rinse the cordyceps flower spore heads.
- Peel the fresh yam and cut into lengths; soak and rinse the goji; pit the red dates.
- Clean the wild duck, chop into large pieces and blanch.
- Simmer everything in 9 bowls of water for 2 hours, reducing to 4–5 bowls. Serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
The nutrition of cordyceps flower sits mainly in the head, so the spore heads work especially well. The duck pictured is imported frozen wild duck; a small duck works as a substitute. This soup is sweet and tasty, fine for young and old, but not for anyone with an active cold and fever.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (PAT): This soup has red dates — do I still need candied dates? Can I add lotus seed and lily bulb? Bro Niu: You can add lotus seed and lily bulb; no need for candied dates.
- Q (PAT): You’ve also mentioned a cordyceps-flower yam soup with Solomon’s seal — could I use cordyceps flower, yam, white lotus seed, red dates, lily bulb, Solomon’s seal and longan together? Good for autumn dryness and easing nasal sensitivity? Bro Niu: You can use the cordyceps-flower soup, but you need to take it for a while to see results. For frequent nasal sensitivity, brew ~11 g magnolia flower as a daily tea, with honey added if you like.
Published August 27, 2024 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
