Soups
White Corn, Fresh Dendrobium, Goji Berry and Chicken Breast Soup
Traditionally associated with supporting healthy blood sugar, easing dryness, and gentle digestive support
Why people make this soup
Corn comes in many wonderful varieties — yellow, purple, white, bi-colour, and even glutinous kinds. White jade corn (bai yu su mi) stands out for its fine texture and gentle sweetness; it is a little pricier than the standard yellow variety but worth seeking out when available. In Chinese food therapy, corn in general is associated with supporting urinary flow, aiding digestion, lowering blood pressure, and supporting healthy blood sugar — all reasons it appears regularly in food-therapy soups for people managing metabolic health concerns. When white corn is paired with fresh dendrobium (shi hu), which is prized for nourishing stomach fluid and clearing low-grade internal heat, and with goji berries for eye support, the result is a clean, genuinely pleasant soup that works as everyday family cooking.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for most adults and children; particularly beneficial for those managing blood sugar, gastric heat, mouth dryness, bitter taste in the mouth, or high blood pressure
- Good for eye fatigue and general yin deficiency
- Those who urinate frequently at night (nocturia) should limit how much of this soup they drink at a time
- Mild enough for everyday family use
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- White jade corn (bai yu su mi): Associated in Chinese dietary practice with supporting urinary flow, aiding digestion, reducing swelling, and moderating blood sugar; also contains natural silks (corn silk), which are traditionally used separately as a blood-pressure-supporting tea
- Fresh dendrobium (shi hu): Considered one of the premier herbs for nourishing stomach yin and generating body fluids; often used in recipes for those with chronic dryness, late-night habits, or blood sugar concerns
- Goji berries (gou qi zi): Rich in zeaxanthin; classically used to support liver, kidney, and eye health
- Carrot: Adds natural sweetness and beta-carotene; supports eye health in both Eastern and Western nutritional traditions
- Chicken breast: A lean protein source; lighter and lower in fat than thigh, suitable for those monitoring metabolic health
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| White jade corn | 2 cobs | Remove husk; cut into rounds |
| Fresh dendrobium (shi hu) | ~18 g (5 qian) | Rinse and cut into short sections |
| Goji berries (gou qi zi) | ~11 g (3 qian) | Soak and rinse briefly |
| Carrot | 1 medium | Peel and cut into chunks |
| Fresh ginger | 3 slices | |
| Chicken breast | 1 piece | Blanch in boiling water first; drain and rinse |
Method
- Husk the corn and cut each cob into 3–4 rounds.
- Rinse and cut the dendrobium into short segments.
- Soak goji berries briefly; rinse and drain.
- Peel and chunk the carrot.
- Blanch the chicken breast in boiling water for 2 minutes; discard the water and rinse.
- Place all ingredients in a pot with 8 bowls of water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
- Cook for 1.5 hours until the soup is naturally sweet and the corn is tender.
- Serve with the soup and all the solid ingredients — eat the corn and chicken along with the broth.
Bro Niu’s tips
Any variety of corn works in this soup — yellow, bi-colour, or glutinous corn are all fine. The key benefit of white jade corn is its fine, tender flesh, but the food-therapy properties of corn are broadly shared across varieties. One caution: those who find themselves getting up frequently at night to urinate should enjoy this soup in moderation, as the diuretic nature of corn can be noticeable.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Ada): I am elderly and have recently been told I have high cholesterol (not yet needing medication). What food therapy would help? Bro Niu: A simple daily tea of hawthorn berries (shan zha), chrysanthemum flowers, and lotus leaf — about a small pinch of each in a tea bag, steeped in hot water for 10 minutes — is helpful taken 4–5 times a week, and is traditionally associated with supporting healthy cholesterol. A vegetable soup of fresh yam, black fungus, corn, carrot, and broccoli cooked together is also nourishing — eat the vegetables as well as drinking the broth.
Published December 9, 2021 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
