Lotus Root, Black Bean and Dried Octopus Soup

Why people make this soup

Finding grey hairs in your twenties or thirties can feel unsettling, especially when it seems to be happening faster than it should. In traditional Chinese food therapy, premature greying and hair thinning that are not entirely explained by genetics are often linked to insufficient liver blood — the idea being that the blood that nourishes the hair follicles becomes depleted by overwork, poor sleep, chronic worry or emotional exhaustion. This soup brings together three ingredients with a long history of use in that context: lotus root for cooling and nourishing the blood, black soybeans for their association with kidney and liver support (dark-coloured foods have long been connected with hair health in Chinese tradition), and dried octopus for its rich, nourishing quality and mild sweet flavour that makes it a natural base ingredient in blood-building soups.

Method

1. Dry-toast the black soybeans in a wok over medium heat, without any oil, until the skins begin to split and you can smell a faint nutty aroma. Remove from heat and rinse under cold water.
2. Peel the lotus root, cut into chunks.
3. Blanch the lean pork in boiling water for 1–2 minutes, then rinse and set aside.
4. Rinse the dried octopus and red dates.
5. Place all ingredients into a clay pot or large soup pot. Add enough water to cover well (approximately 2 litres / 2.4 L).
6. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
7. Cook for about 2 hours until the soup is fragrant and the ingredients are tender.
8. Season lightly with salt if desired and serve.

Nourilo’s Tips

• The step of toasting the black soybeans is important — it prevents the beans from becoming too cold in nature, which can cause stomach discomfort in some people. This preparation also brings out a richer flavour.
• Do not cook this soup in an iron pot. The astringent quality of lotus root reacts with iron and causes the soup to turn an unpleasant grey colour.
• This soup is also traditionally recommended for women after childbirth — it nourishes blood and is associated with supporting milk production.
• For hair health, consistency matters more than frequency. Drinking this soup 2–3 times a week over several weeks is more effective than occasional large quantities.