Soups
Water Chestnut and Honey Date Soup
Traditionally used to support the spleen and settle loose stools
Why people make this soup
Bro Niu spotted some freshly shelled water chestnut kernels at the dried-goods shop and could not resist. Half went into a braise, half into this little soup. Water chestnut kernels taste mildly sweet and clean, and in food-therapy tradition they are seen as gentle on the middle. This is one of those quiet two-ingredient soups you make when the stomach feels off and digestion has gone slack.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People with a weak spleen, soft or loose stools, and sluggish digestion who want something light and easy
- If stools are watery, severe, or persistent, this is no substitute for seeing a doctor
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Water chestnut kernel (ling jiao ren): sweet and slightly astringent in taste, neutral in nature; traditionally used to support the spleen and help firm up loose stools.
- Honey date (mi zao): adds natural sweetness and is traditionally associated with gently tonifying the middle.
Ingredients (about 3 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh water chestnut kernels (ling jiao ren) | ~3 liang (about 110 g) | The darker, older purple-black kernels are starchier and best for soup |
| Honey dates (mi zao) | 3 |
Method
- Rinse the fresh water chestnut kernels clean.
- Put the kernels and honey dates into a pot with 5 bowls of water.
- Boil down to about 3 bowls. Drink the soup and eat the soup ingredients.
Bro Niu’s tips
Fresh water chestnut kernels are also delicious braised. Or pair them with Chinese yam (huai shan), goji berries (gou qi zi), and red dates (hong zao) in a pork-rib soup as a daily wellness soup — traditionally associated with supporting vitality, the spleen and stomach, and a calm mind.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Jennifer): If I add Chinese yam to this soup, should I use fresh or dried yam? Thank you. Bro Niu: Cooking with fresh yam gives a better flavour.
Published October 2, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
