Soups
Apple, Pear, Corn and Carrot Soup with Almonds
Traditionally taken to moisten the lungs, ease phlegm and soothe an autumn-dry cough
Why people make this soup
As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches and the air turns dry, it’s easy to develop a dry cough and scratchy, parched throat. Bro Niu likes to lean on moistening soups at this time of year. He happened to buy a bargain bundle of apples and pears, more than he could eat fresh, so into the pot they went — with corn, carrot and almonds — for a soup that traditionally moistens the lungs, supports the complexion, and helps ease phlegm and cough.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Anyone troubled by autumn dryness, a dry cough or scratchy throat; sweet and mild, fine for young and old, and perfect for autumn and winter. (A reader’s 2-year-old with a dry cough was able to take it — pears can be swapped for 3 figs.)
- Remove the apple and pear cores (mildly toxic). Scrub the skins with fine salt before cooking.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Apple and pear (ping guo, li): the skins are beneficial; traditionally used to moisten the lungs and support the complexion (cores removed).
- Corn (su mi): lightly sweet and traditionally supportive of fluid balance.
- Carrot (gan sun): nourishing and naturally sweet.
- Almonds (nan xing / bei xing): sweet almond moistens the lungs and bitter almond eases phlegm and cough — you can use both together.
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Apples | 2 | Scrub skin, core, cut |
| Pears | 2 | Scrub skin, core, cut |
| Corn | 2 cobs | Husked, cut in pieces |
| Carrot | 1–2 | Peeled, cut in chunks |
| Sweet almonds | ~38 g | Rinse, soak |
Method
- Rinse the apples and pears, scrub the skins clean with fine salt, rinse again, then cut and core.
- Husk the corn and cut into pieces; peel and chunk the carrot; soak and rinse the almonds.
- Simmer everything in 7–8 bowls of water for 1 hour, reducing to 4 bowls. Serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is sweet and tasty, fine for young and old, and best in autumn and winter. Apple and pear skins are beneficial — scrubbing with fine salt removes pesticide and grime — but the cores carry a mild toxin and must be removed before cooking. Sweet almond moistens the lungs while bitter almond eases phlegm and cough, so feel free to use both.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Eva): My 2-year-old has a slight dry cough and somewhat loose stools — can he drink this soup, or might it cause diarrhoea? Bro Niu: This soup is very mild and your child can take it. You can replace the snow pear with 3 figs.
- Q (Christine): Can I add American ginseng and figs to this soup? Bro Niu: Yes, you can add American ginseng and figs, but add the American ginseng slices near the end.
- Q (Audrey): My 2.5-year-old keeps coughing on waking with a runny nose, but is fine once out at school. What soup can ease the cough? Bro Niu: For a morning cough, simmer 1 white radish, 3 slices fresh ginger and 3 spring-onion whites in 4 bowls of water for half an hour; take 2–3 doses and see if it improves.
Published September 10, 2024 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
