Fresh Lotus Seed, Lily Bulb and Red Bean Sweet Soup

Why people make this sweet soup

When fresh lotus seeds and fresh lily bulbs appear together in the mid-autumn season, Nourilo knows exactly what to make: a classic Cantonese sweet soup (tang shui) that is as enjoyable to eat as it is nourishing. In traditional food-therapy thinking, this combination is said to calm the heart-mind, support the blood, and brighten the complexion — a nice counterpoint to the dehydrating effects of air-conditioning and late nights. Red beans add a beautiful colour, earthy sweetness, and a tradition of their own as a blood-nourishing ingredient. A piece of tangerine peel ties the whole pot together, aiding digestion and reducing any gassy feeling from the beans.