Soups
Fresh Houttuynia, Apple and Fig Soup
Traditionally clears summer heat and supports the body's defenses
Why people make this soup
Bro Niu wrote this during a hot, virus-heavy stretch, when staying cool and supporting the body felt extra important. Houttuynia is his summer favorite — traditionally associated with clearing summer heat and damp and supporting the lungs. He pairs it with cheap, plentiful summer fruit: apple, almond and fig, for a clear, fragrant sweet soup that the whole family can enjoy. As he likes to say, with fruit shipped in from all over the world, why not turn a basketful into soup?
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Traditionally chosen as a family soup in hot weather, and by people who want a cooling, supportive bowl. Bro Niu says it’s fine for someone recently diagnosed with COVID, and can be drunk while on medication (space them about 2 hours apart).
- Houttuynia is cooling. If your stomach is sensitive or easily upset, add 2 pieces of tangerine peel rather than extra ginger, which keeps the cooling benefit while being gentler on the gut.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Fresh houttuynia (yu xing cao): Traditionally associated with clearing summer heat and damp and supporting the lungs; its aromatic oils mean it shouldn’t be boiled long.
- Apple (ping guo): Traditionally associated with supporting balance and easing wheeze, plus healthy blood lipids and pressure.
- Almonds (nan bei xing): Traditionally associated with moistening the lungs.
- Fig (wu hua guo): Adds natural sweetness and is traditionally soothing to the throat.
Ingredients (4–5 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh houttuynia | ~150 g | Cut into segments |
| Apples | 3–4 small / 2 large | Cored, chunked |
| North & south almonds | ~38 g | |
| Dried figs | 4 | Halved |
| Rock sugar | a little | Or omit and add lean pork |
Method
- Wash the fresh houttuynia and cut into segments.
- Soak the apples in hot water a few minutes to loosen any wax, scrub gently with a little salt to remove wax and residue, rinse, core and cut into chunks.
- Rinse the almonds.
- Halve the figs.
- Bring everything to a boil in 6–7 bowls of water and cook for 20 minutes, then add the rock sugar and let it dissolve before serving.
Bro Niu’s tips
The ingredients are simple and the soup is a family pleaser. You can leave out the rock sugar and add lean pork instead — besides clearing summer heat, it then also helps moisten the lungs and is good for the complexion.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (reader): My stomach is weak and easily upset, but I’d like to drink this soup. If I add a couple of slices of ginger to soften the coolness, will it weaken the effect? Bro Niu: Better to add 2 pieces of tangerine peel — that’s even more beneficial.
- Q (Yi Yi): Is this recipe suitable for someone just diagnosed with COVID? Bro Niu: Yes, you can drink this soup right after being diagnosed.
- Q (Sin Yee): No fresh houttuynia — how much of the dried should I use? Bro Niu: About 19 g of dried houttuynia is enough, and don’t boil it too long either.
Published May 21, 2023 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
