Sea Cucumber and Glutinous Rice Congee

Why people make this congee

A recurring salty taste in the mouth is one of those signs that traditional Chinese medicine pays close attention to. It is associated with what TCM calls kidney deficiency — a state where the kidney’s vital energy is depleted, often from overwork, age, or prolonged illness. Both major patterns of kidney deficiency (yin deficiency and yang deficiency) can produce this sensation, though they come with different accompanying symptoms: yin deficiency tends to bring dry throat, dizziness, night sweats, and irritability, while yang deficiency shows up more as fatigue, cold limbs, frequent nighttime urination, and a lack of drive.

Sea cucumber is one of those rare traditional foods regarded as tonifying for both yin and yang simultaneously — meaning it is appropriate for either pattern. It contains no cholesterol, is rich in collagen and protein, and has a gentle, neutral quality that makes it suitable for most people. Pairing it with glutinous rice makes a congee that is warming for the spleen and stomach, and gently nourishing for the kidneys.