Soups
Yacon, Pear, Sweet Almond and Fig Sweet Soup
traditionally associated with clearing heat, moistening the lungs, and supporting skin health
Why people make this soup
Yacon is a South American root vegetable that can seem unfamiliar at first — its name in some Chinese dialects evokes the famous highland snow lotus flower, which is an entirely different plant. After a little research and a first taste, most people are won over: yacon is crunchy, juicy, and naturally sweet, a bit like a water pear. It has been studied for its potential to support healthy blood lipids and blood sugar, and it makes a wonderfully refreshing sweet soup. Here it is paired with Asian pear, sweet apricot kernels, and dried figs for a classic Cantonese-style cooling dessert that works well for both children and adults.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for the whole family, including children with lung-heat cough and adults with dry skin or internal heat
- Can be made savoury by adding lean pork instead of rock sugar
- Can be drunk during menstruation (confirmed by Bro Niu)
- Caution: Some people react to yacon with loose stools or digestive upset — if this happens, stop eating it. Those prone to metabolic acidosis or with known sensitivities should be cautious
- Do not combine yacon with milk, eggs, or other high-protein foods in the same sitting — it may interfere with protein absorption
- Not suitable for those currently ill with a cold or flu
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Yacon root (xue lian guo): Traditionally associated with reducing blood lipids and blood pressure, supporting cholesterol management, reducing inflammation, supporting urination, and cooling internal heat. Available at Chinese or Asian grocers, or online.
- Asian pear (xue li): A classic lung-cooling and throat-moistening ingredient in Cantonese food therapy; rich in fluids, naturally cooling, and soothing for dry or irritated lungs
- Sweet apricot kernels (nan xing): The southern, sweet variety (as distinct from the bitter northern variety); moistens the lungs and eases dry cough; mildly lubricating for the intestines
- Dried figs (wu hua guo): Moisten the lungs, clear heat from the throat, and gently support the bowels; add natural sweetness and depth to the broth
- Rock sugar (bing tang): A traditional sweetener for cooling soups; considered more neutral than white sugar and less likely to generate internal heat
Ingredients (3–4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Yacon root | 1 medium piece | Peel and cut into slices |
| Asian pears (xue li) | 2 pears | Wash, remove core, and slice — no need to peel |
| Sweet apricot kernels (nan xing) | ~38 g (1 liang) | Use the sweet (southern) variety only |
| Dried figs (wu hua guo) | 4 pieces | Rinse; Turkish and Middle Eastern dried figs also work well |
| Rock sugar (bing tang) | a small amount | Add to taste at the end |
| Water | 6 bowls | Simmer down to 3–4 bowls |
Method
- Peel the yacon root and cut into thick slices.
- Wash the pears, remove the core, and cut into thick slices (skin on is fine).
- Rinse the sweet apricot kernels and dried figs.
- Place all ingredients in a pot with 6 bowls of water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer for 1 hour until about 3–4 bowls remain.
- Add rock sugar to taste in the final few minutes.
- Serve warm or at room temperature. Both the soup and the fruit/ingredients are delicious to eat.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup works equally well as a savoury dish — just omit the rock sugar and add lean pork instead. In that form it makes a nourishing soup suitable for the whole family. For children with lung-heat cough, adults with dry skin or persistent internal heat, and as a general healthy dessert, this is one of the easiest and most pleasant soups in Bro Niu’s winter repertoire. Yacon is available at Chinese or Asian grocers, or online. One caution: yacon does not combine well with milk or eggs in the same meal.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (reader, 甜心屋): My father has a slight cold — would it matter if he accidentally drank this soup? Can yacon be cooked together with burdock root (niu bang)? Bro Niu: Not a big deal — drinking one portion by accident will not cause harm. Only when you are ill with a cold or flu is it generally better to avoid tonic or nourishing soups, so that the illness does not deepen. Burdock and yacon can be cooked together — they do not conflict.
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Q (reader, zs0760): My daughter, aged 1 year and 7 months, has swollen and red gums with pus — the doctor said it is a virus. Is this sweet soup suitable for her to drink? Bro Niu: You can make this soup for your little one — it has heat-clearing and detoxifying properties.
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Q (reader, Angel): I am 17 years old. I have exam stress, poor sleep, forehead acne, and mouth ulcers. What simple soup can help with memory? Bro Niu: Try a snow ear (xue er), lily bulb (bai he), and sweet almond (nan xing) sweet soup: snow ear 2 qian, lily bulb 1 liang, sweet almonds 1 liang, rock sugar to taste, 6 bowls of water simmered to 4 bowls — the whole family can drink it. It nourishes yin, moistens dryness, and calms the heart. For acne, try rubbing raw ginkgo meat on the spots and washing off after 30 minutes — repeat for a few days. Eat 5–6 walnuts daily (plain, unfried) to help strengthen memory. For sleep, spray a little lavender oil on your pillow — it helps enormously.
Published January 16, 2013 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
