Rose, Luffa and Poria Soup

Why people make this soup

Leafing through flower-tea books, Nourilo noticed how often rose appears — traditionally valued for soothing the liver, lifting low mood and helping regulate the cycle and inner balance. Paired with ingredients long associated with brightening the skin — Job’s tears, poria, sweet almond and luffa — it becomes a gentle, fragrant soup that women enjoy to support clearer, brighter skin and help fade spots.

Method

1. Peel and chunk the luffa. Slice the lean pork and blanch it. Soak and rinse the rose buds, poria, Job’s tears and almonds.
2. First simmer the pork, luffa, poria, Job’s tears, almonds and ginger in 1.8 L of water for about 1 hour.
3. Add the rose buds and simmer about 5 minutes more, then serve.

Nourilo’s Tips

This soup is traditionally said to soothe the liver, clear heat, drain damp and brighten the skin, and suits women with post-natal melasma or freckles — but it is not recommended during pregnancy. Clams can be added; just lift out the rose and poria first if you also want to add noodles.