Soups
Papaya, Snow Fungus, Almond and Fig Sweet Soup
Traditionally used to moisten the lungs and support a healthy complexion
Why people make this sweet soup
Papaya is a wonderful anti-inflammatory food, rich in vitamins C and A and lycopene, which help support immunity and calm inflammation in the body. Green papaya is gentle on the stomach lining, while ripe papaya is nourishing and moistening for the lungs and skin. Cooked with snow fungus, sweet almond and fig into a sweet soup, it makes a clear, lovely bowl traditionally enjoyed for smoother skin and a soothed, dry-heat cough.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Good for young and old; traditionally enjoyed for the lungs, skin, bones and eyes.
- Pregnant women should not eat papaya, as it may stimulate uterine contractions.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Ripe papaya (mu gua): traditionally nourishes yin, moistens the lungs and supports a healthy complexion.
- Snow fungus (xue er): traditionally moistening and a classic beauty food.
- Sweet almonds (tian xing ren): traditionally moisten the lungs.
- Dried figs (wu hua guo): add natural sweetness and are gentle on the throat.
- Rock sugar (bing tang): to sweeten, added to taste.
Ingredients (3–4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ripe papaya | 1 | Peeled, deseeded, cut into chunks |
| Snow fungus | 3 qian (~11 g) | Soaked, stems removed |
| Sweet almonds | 1 liang (~37 g) | Rinsed |
| Dried figs | 3–4 | Rinsed |
| Rock sugar | To taste | — |
Method
- Peel and deseed the papaya and cut into chunks.
- Soak the snow fungus until soft and remove the stems.
- Rinse the almonds and figs.
- Put everything into a pot with 6 bowls of water.
- Cook 45 minutes until reduced to 3–4 bowls.
- Stir in rock sugar until dissolved. Serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
This sweet soup is clear, sweet and tasty, and suits young and old. It is traditionally enjoyed for the bones and eyes too — but pregnant women should not eat papaya, to avoid stimulating the uterus.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Li po po): I’m in my seventies with mild stomach intestinal metaplasia, and my knee swells when the weather warms and gets damp — the doctor says it’s fluid. What can I drink? Bro Niu: You can use plenty of papaya in soup — papaya is very anti-inflammatory, and a swollen knee is a kind of inflammation. Use papaya with 3 figs, poria (5 qian) and one tangerine peel in a lean-pork soup; drink the soup and eat the papaya. Green papaya is even better, as it protects the stomach and intestinal lining.
- Q (ke ke): My Hawaiian papaya skin spoils before the flesh ripens — how should I store it? Bro Niu: Storing it with other riper fruit helps it ripen, but if the skin goes bad while the flesh is still unripe, it was usually kept too long at the shop. When buying, choose papayas with smooth, intact skin.
Published January 16, 2026 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
