Snow Jelly (Saponaria Seed) Sweet Soup with Longan, Goji and Red Dates

Why people make this sweet soup

Snow jelly — sold under names like “Tian Shan Xue Lian Zi” or saponaria seeds (zao jiao mi) — is a small, pale, translucent kernel from the honey locust plant, grown mainly in Guizhou and Yunnan provinces. It is available at Chinese herb shops and Asian grocers, or online. After soaking for eight to ten hours, the seeds turn wonderfully soft and chewy — a real pleasure to eat and an ideal ingredient for a sweet dessert soup. Paired with longan flesh, goji berries, and red dates, this combination is traditionally thought to nourish the complexion, support clear eyesight, and slow the appearance of aging. It is also considered beneficial for new mothers — not only for skin care but also for supporting milk production.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Suitable for most adults, including nursing mothers looking for a gentle skin-nourishing and lactation-supportive food.
• Children can also enjoy a small half-bowl serving.
• People with diabetes should avoid this soup due to the sugar and naturally sweet ingredients.
• Those with an active fever, cold, or upper respiratory infection (wai gan) should not take this soup until they have recovered.
• Pregnant women should be cautious: longan is considered very warming and may overstimulate the uterus; saponaria seeds (same plant family as the thorns used medicinally) are best avoided in pregnancy. Snow ear fungus sweet soup is a safer alternative during pregnancy.

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Snow jelly / saponaria seeds (zao jiao mi): A high-carbohydrate, low-fat food traditionally considered to nourish the skin and mucous membranes. Once soaked, they develop a silky, slightly chewy texture. They are associated with moistening dryness and supporting a smooth complexion.
• Longan flesh (yuan rou): Deeply warming and nourishing for the blood and heart. Traditionally used to calm the mind, support restful sleep, and build qi and blood — especially valued in post-partum recovery. Because it is so warming, it should not be used during pregnancy.
• Goji berries (gou qi zi): One of the most widely used longevity herbs in Chinese food therapy. Associated with nourishing the liver and kidneys, brightening the eyes, and supporting overall vitality.
• Red dates (hong zao): Gently tonify the spleen and stomach, enrich the blood, and harmonize the other ingredients in the formula.

Ingredients (3 bowls)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Snow jelly (saponaria seeds, zao jiao mi)	~18 g (5 qian)	Must soak 8–10 hours or overnight before cooking
Dried longan flesh (yuan rou)	10 pieces	Rinse briefly
Goji berries	~9 g (3 qian)	Rinse
Red dates	6 pieces	Pit and rinse
Rock sugar	To taste	Add at the end

Method

1. Soak the snow jelly (saponaria seeds) in plenty of cold water for at least 8 hours or overnight. They will expand significantly. Do not skip this step — under-soaked seeds will be gritty rather than silky.
2. Rinse and prepare the remaining ingredients. Pit the red dates.
3. Combine all ingredients with 5 bowls of water in a pot.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a medium-low simmer. Cook for about 30 minutes until the soup reduces to approximately 3 bowls.
5. Add rock sugar to taste and stir until dissolved.
6. Serve warm and eat the solids along with the soup.

Bro Niu’s tips

This sweet soup is a real treat — silky, fragrant, and satisfying. Be sure to soak the snow jelly long enough; that is the key to a smooth, enjoyable texture. Nursing mothers can enjoy this regularly: it is not only good for the skin but also traditionally believed to support milk supply. However, because longan is quite warming, avoid using it during pregnancy. Substitute snow ear fungus (xue er) if you are pregnant and want a similar nourishing sweet soup. People with diabetes and those feeling under the weather with a fever should skip this one.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (Nana): I am a breastfeeding mother and my 3-month-old baby has very severe eczema. Can I have this sweet soup? Bro Niu: Yes, you can drink this sweet soup. For the baby’s eczema, keep using moisturizer to maintain skin hydration. You can also try a soothing external wash: simmer bai xian pi, di fu zi, and ce bai ye (each about 15 g) in water for 20 minutes, cool, and use as a gentle skin rinse for the baby. Repeat three times.

• Q (yuklam): Can pregnant women have this snow jelly dessert soup? Bro Niu: Pregnant women should be cautious. Although I personally think snow jelly itself is likely fine, it comes from the same plant as the saponaria thorn (zao jiao ci) which is avoided in pregnancy. To be safe, it is better not to use it. More importantly, longan is quite warming and can overstimulate the uterus during pregnancy. I would suggest replacing the whole recipe with a snow ear fungus sweet soup instead — that is a safer choice.

• Q (Vicky): Can children have this sweet soup? My daughter is two and a half. Bro Niu: Children can have this sweet soup, but limit it to about half a bowl to avoid over-heating the system.

---

Published March 19, 2016 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.