Nourilo

Soups

Four-Red Longan Sweet Soup

traditionally associated with nourishing blood and supporting immune health

By · Registered Nutritionist & TCM Practitioner

Prep
10 min
Cook
30 min
Total
40 min
Makes
1.2 L
Blood NourishmentImmune SupportEveryday Balance
Four-Red Longan Sweet Soup

Why people make this soup

The idea behind this gentle sweet soup is beautifully simple: gather five ingredients that share a red or deep-red colour — adzuki beans, the papery skin of peanuts, goji berries, red dates, and longan — and let them work together. In traditional Chinese food therapy, red-coloured foods are associated with the heart and blood-building functions of the body. Nourilo first came across this soup from a fellow student whose friend had undergone cancer surgery; they reported that the soup helped ease fatigue and low blood-cell counts during chemotherapy. The recipe originally referenced a professor from Beijing Satellite Health Channel who described a similar formula for immune support. Whether you’re recovering from illness or simply want a warming, naturally sweet pot of something nourishing, this soup is about as easy as it gets.

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Frequently asked questions

Why does this recipe use five red ingredients?

In traditional Chinese food therapy, red-coloured foods are associated with the heart and blood-building functions of the body. This soup gathers five ingredients that share a red or deep-red colour — adzuki beans, the papery skin of peanuts, goji berries, red dates, and longan — and lets them work together.

How long does the soup take to make, and how much does one pot yield?

The soup takes about 40 minutes in total — roughly 10 minutes of preparation followed by 30 minutes of simmering until the beans are just tender and the soup turns a rich red colour. One pot yields approximately 1.2 litres.

Is this soup suitable for the whole family?

Yes. The recipe notes that the whole family can enjoy this soup, and it is described as family-friendly and gently warming.

Can I use whole red-skin peanuts instead of loose peanut skin?

Yes. If you cannot find loose peanut skin, you can substitute about 75 g of whole red-skin peanuts — the red coat on the peanut is the part you want. Blanched white peanuts should be avoided as they lack that red membrane.

Should I drink the broth only, or also eat the cooked ingredients?

The recipe advises eating the beans, dates, and longan alongside the broth, noting that most of the nourishment is in the ingredients themselves, not just the liquid.

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