Soups
Green Olive, Green Radish, Almond and Fig Soup
Traditionally supports soothing sore, inflamed throats and recovering a hoarse voice
Why people make this soup
Spring in Hong Kong brings unpredictable weather — cold one morning, humid the next — and with it a wave of sore throats, scratchy voices, and wind-heat colds. Green olives are a key ingredient in Cantonese throat-soothing food therapy: they are slightly astringent and cooling, and have long been used to calm inflamed, swollen throats. Paired with green radish (which clears heat) and the moistening action of figs and apricot kernels, this soup creates a naturally sweet, deeply refreshing broth that works gently for the whole family. It is one of Bro Niu’s go-to recommendations because it is balanced enough to suit both cold and hot constitutions — an everyday household soup.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for all constitution types — both warming and cooling body types
- Good for wind-heat cold symptoms: sore throat, hoarse voice, dry mouth, slight fever
- Safe for pregnant women (around 6 months pregnancy confirmed safe)
- Suitable for postpartum women as well
- Safe to drink alongside Western medications
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Green olive (qing lan / qing gan): In Chinese food therapy, green olives are associated with clearing heat and soothing the throat; traditionally used for sore, swollen throats and thirst from heat
- Green radish (qing luo bo): Thought to clear heat and detoxify; adds a fresh, cooling quality that complements the olives
- Apricot kernels (nan bei xing): The combination of sweet southern and bitter northern kernels moistens the lungs and supports the throat
- Dried figs (wu hua guo): Moistening and gently lubricating for the throat and lungs; naturally sweet, making the soup palatable
- Pork ribs: Add body and savory depth to the broth without overshadowing the herbal ingredients
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Green olives | 10 pieces | Wash; lightly crush or bruise each olive before adding |
| Green radish | 1 medium | Peel and cut into chunks |
| Apricot kernels (mixed) | 1 liang (~37 g) | Southern + northern mix from herbal shop |
| Dried figs | 4 pieces | |
| Pork ribs | half jin (~300 g) | Blanch in boiling water to remove impurities |
| Water | 8 bowls (~1.9 L) |
Method
- Peel and cut the green radish into large chunks.
- Rinse the green olives and lightly bruise or crack each one with the flat of a knife — this helps release their flavor.
- Blanch the pork ribs briefly in boiling water; drain and rinse.
- Rinse the apricot kernels and dried figs.
- Add all ingredients to a pot with 8 bowls of water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for about 1.5 hours until the broth is reduced by roughly half.
- Drink the soup warm. The olives and figs are edible.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is naturally clear and sweet — ideal for anyone with a sore throat or raspy voice. Because it suits all constitutions, Bro Niu recommends it as a reliable household soup to keep in the regular rotation during the spring season. Those with a heavier cough alongside the sore throat may wish to add a quarter of a luohanguo (monk fruit) for extra throat-clearing support.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Gaby): My husband has been sick with a sore throat and general malaise. He has seen a Western doctor and the throat pain has improved, but his voice is still hoarse. Can he drink this soup? Bro Niu: Yes, go ahead and make this soup — it has anti-inflammatory and throat-soothing effects that should help with the lingering hoarseness.
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Q (reader, about fever): My child has a sore throat and fever — can he drink this soup? Bro Niu: Yes, this soup is suitable even with sore throat and fever.
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Q (freddi): Can a pregnant woman (about 6 months) drink this soup? Bro Niu: Yes, pregnant women can drink this soup.
Published March 1, 2014 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
