Green Olive, Dragon Tongue Leaf, Luo Han Guo and Palm Fruit Soup

Why people make this soup

Teachers, singers, telemarketers — anyone who uses their voice for long stretches — know that sore, dry feeling that creeps in after a particularly demanding day of talking. During cool, dry autumn weather, this kind of throat discomfort is especially common. This soup is one of Nourilo’s dependable recommendations: green olives are used whole (and bruised with a cleaver to help release their active compounds), combined with fresh dragon tongue leaf, luo han guo, and sweet almonds. The resulting soup is naturally sweet and free of that heavy herbal flavour that puts many people off medicinal soups. Lean pork can be added for a heartier, more savoury version — perfectly suited to everyday family cooking.

Method

1. Rinse all ingredients.
2. Use the flat of a cleaver or a heavy object to gently bruise each green olive — this helps flavour and active compounds release during cooking.
3. Cut the palm fruit open; keep the skin attached.
4. Place all ingredients into a pot with 1.8 L of water.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer and cook for about 1 hour 30 minutes, until the liquid reduces to roughly 1.2 L.
6. Drink the soup; the whole family can share.

Nourilo’s Tips

This soup has a pleasant, naturally sweet taste with no bitter herbal notes. Lean pork can be added to make it a more substantial family soup. The recipe is suitable for the entire household, from children to elders, and is particularly useful during dry autumn and winter months for anyone prone to throat dryness or occasional hoarseness.