Five-Finger Peach, Finger Citron and Tangerine Peel Soup

Why people make this soup

Five-finger peach root (wu zhi mao tao) is a beloved Cantonese herbal ingredient — it goes by the names “southern astragalus” and “earth astragalus” because its actions are similar to the well-known tonic root astragalus (huang qi), but with a gentle, slightly coconut-like aroma that makes it very approachable in soup. Even people who find herbal soups too medicinal-tasting tend to enjoy this one. It is traditionally associated with strengthening the spleen, boosting qi, and moving dampness — a combination that makes it excellent for people who tire easily, feel chronically run-down, or experience digestive discomfort. Paired here with finger citron (fo shou / Buddha’s hand) and tangerine peel, it specifically targets the pattern of liver qi stagnation affecting the stomach: the kind of gastric discomfort that shows up as bloating, acid reflux, pain that radiates to the ribs, reduced appetite, and a general sense of fullness and sluggishness after meals.

Method

1. Rinse and soak the five-finger peach root and finger citron in cold water for about 20 minutes, then drain.
2. Soak the tangerine peel until soft.
3. If making the savoury version: blanch the lean pork in boiling water for 2 minutes, drain, and rinse.
4. Place all ingredients in a pot with 2.4 L of water.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a medium-low simmer for 2 hours until the liquid reduces to 0.9–1.2 L.
6. For the sweet version: add rock sugar to taste toward the end of cooking.
7. Serve warm.

Nourilo’s Tips

This soup can be made in two ways: savoury (add lean pork) or sweet (add a little rock sugar). The rock sugar option is worth considering because it softens the slight bitterness of the finger citron. Avoid this soup during an active cold or fever. Children as young as four can drink this soup — just add a little more rock sugar for flavour. Note: “fo shou” (finger citron / Buddha’s hand) and “he zhang gua” (chayote squash, a vegetable) are completely different things — fo shou is a yellow, fragrant citrus fruit shaped like open fingers.