Millet, Black Glutinous Rice and Coix Seed Porridge (San Mi Zhou)

Why people make this porridge

In traditional Chinese medicine, the spleen and stomach are considered the root of all qi and blood — when they function poorly, phlegm and dampness accumulate, circulation slows, and the risk of health problems including cardiovascular issues rises. This simple three-grain porridge is Nourilo’s go-to everyday kitchen remedy: millet for the spleen, black glutinous rice for the kidneys and brain, and toasted coix seed to help the body manage moisture and reduce dampness.

Millet has been eaten in China for thousands of years. Its warm golden colour signals a concentration of carotenoids and B vitamins. It contains tryptophan, which the body uses to produce serotonin — relevant to both sleep and mood. Black glutinous rice, sometimes called “medicine rice” or “black pearl” in historical texts, is traditionally valued for its warm, nourishing quality and its ability to tonify the kidneys and support brain function. Toasting the coix seed before use is a small but important step — it transforms the grain from cooling to more spleen-friendly, making the porridge easier to digest.