Kudzu, Job's Tears & Carrot Soup

Why people make this soup

Kudzu root is available year-round and the roots are often large, so it is common to find it sold in halves. Nourilo pairs it with Job’s tears and carrot, simmered with pork shin. The soup comes out clear and naturally sweet, and is traditionally valued not just for guarding against the “three highs” (high blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol) but also for easing neck-and-shoulder soreness and puffiness.

Method

1. Peel and wash the kudzu, cut into chunks.
2. Rinse and soak the Job’s tears and tangerine peel separately.
3. Peel the carrot and cut into chunks.
4. Cut the pork shin into chunks and blanch.
5. Add everything to 2.7 L of water and simmer for 2 hours down to 1.2–1.5 L. Serve.

Nourilo’s Tips

To peel kudzu easily, press a small knife at the top end and tear the skin away, then split it lengthwise — it’s far easier to cut into chunks that way. Job’s tears can help prevent calf cramps, so older folks may like to use a bit more — but pregnant women should not use Job’s tears; substitute rice bean and hyacinth bean instead.