Winter Melon, Lotus Leaf and Sugarcane Sweet Soup

Why people make this sweet soup

In the depths of summer, when heat and humidity press down on everything, this gentle sweet soup is one of Bro Niu’s go-to remedies for staying comfortable. Winter melon and lotus leaf together are traditionally considered cooling and uplifting, while Job’s tears brings a mild diuretic quality that can help flush out excess dampness. The sugarcane keeps the whole thing naturally sweet and pleasant to drink — it is the kind of thing you want a pot of on standby when the thermometer won’t stop climbing. Particularly useful for people who work or exercise outdoors in summer heat.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Suits most people who feel heavy, overheated or irritable in summer weather; also good for those spending time outdoors.
• Pregnant women should replace the Job’s tears (yi mi) with fresh lotus seeds (about 60 g) — Job’s tears is traditionally considered unsuitable during pregnancy.
• People with a cold or weak digestive system (known in Chinese medicine as “spleen-stomach deficiency cold”) may also prefer the lotus-seed variation, which is gentler and adds a mild calming quality.

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Winter melon with skin (dong gua): The skin is the most cooling part of the gourd; it is traditionally associated with draining dampness and reducing water retention.
• Fresh lotus leaf (he ye): In Chinese food therapy, lotus leaf is thought to lift the digestive energy, clear summer heat and ease restlessness — it also gives the soup a clean, green fragrance.
• Raw Job’s tears (sheng yi mi): Used as a grain-herb to clear heat and dampness; pre-soaking softens it and allows it to release its full flavor into the broth.
• Sugarcane (zhu zhe): A natural sweetener that also carries cooling properties in the Chinese tradition; it provides the base sweetness so only a little rock sugar is needed.

Ingredients (3–4 bowls)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Winter melon (skin on, seeds removed)	600 g	Wash well; no need to peel
Fresh lotus leaf	1 large leaf	Rinse, tear or cut into pieces; substitute half a dried leaf
Raw Job’s tears (yi mi)	38 g	Soak 20–30 min and drain
Sugarcane sections	3–4 pieces	Split lengthwise to release sweetness
Rock sugar	To taste	Add at the end

Method

1. Wash the winter melon, remove seeds but keep the skin, and cut into large chunks.
2. Rinse the fresh lotus leaf under running water and tear or cut it into rough pieces.
3. Soak the Job’s tears for at least 20 minutes in cold water, then drain.
4. Split the sugarcane sections lengthwise.
5. Combine all ingredients in a pot with 8 bowls (about 1.9 L) of water.
6. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a medium simmer for 30 minutes.
7. Add rock sugar and stir until dissolved. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Bro Niu’s tips

• If you cannot find fresh lotus leaf, half a dried lotus leaf from a Chinese herb shop works well — it is less aromatic but still effective.
• For spleen-stomach deficiency (easily chilled digestion), swap the Job’s tears for fresh lotus seeds with the green core still in (about 60 g). Fresh lotus seeds are sometimes available at Asian grocers in summer; they have a wonderful clean sweetness and the green core adds a mild blood-pressure-supporting effect.
• This soup is best drunk at room temperature — avoid drinking it ice cold.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (Joyce): I cannot find fresh lotus leaf — what can I use instead? Bro Niu: Half a dried lotus leaf from a Chinese herb shop works. Fresh lotus leaf has a much more fragrant aroma, but the dried version is perfectly fine.

• Q (Fong Fong): After the official end of summer (li qiu), can we still drink this? Bro Niu: Yes — the weather remains hot and humid after li qiu, so this soup is still very suitable.

• Q (reader): Can this be combined with adzuki beans, cooked Job’s tears, ginger and red dates? And if water duck is not available, can black chicken or pork ribs substitute? Bro Niu: Adding adzuki beans, cooked Job’s tears, ginger and red dates is fine. If water duck is unavailable, half a black chicken, pork shin or lean pork all work as substitutes.

---

---

Published July 22, 2017 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.