Golden Monk Fruit, Sweet Almonds & Tangerine Peel Drink

Why people make this drink

Parents in Cantonese-speaking communities have a saying: “Monk fruit clears phlegm heat.” The issue Bro Niu addresses here — “tan huo he” (phlegm-fire nodules) — refers to what Western medicine would call cervical lymphadenopathy, small firm lumps in the neck that are commonly felt in children who run hot and prone to respiratory inflammation. These are generally benign, and traditional food therapy has long used monk fruit (luo han guo) as a gentle, soothing remedy. The golden monk fruit used here is processed at low temperatures rather than conventional high-heat smoking, which gives it a much cleaner, pleasantly sweet flavour that children tend to accept more readily. Paired with mixed almonds (which soothe the lungs) and tangerine peel (which transforms phlegm), this drink is a useful addition to the family medicine cabinet during the colder months.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Suitable for the whole family, including infants (who can have half a cup); suitable for G6PD patients
• Particularly helpful for children prone to neck lymph node swelling, or those with phlegm cough
• If a child also has a runny nose, add 6–8 magnolia flower buds (xin yi hua) and cook for an additional 10 minutes

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Golden monk fruit (jin luo han guo): Contains mogrosides — intensely sweet compounds (300 times sweeter than sugar) that do not raise blood sugar. Traditionally associated with clearing lung heat, dissolving phlegm, and soothing the throat. Low-temperature processed varieties retain more of these compounds and taste cleaner than conventionally smoked monk fruit
• Mixed almonds (nan bei xing): The combination of sweet (nan xing) and slightly bitter (bei xing) almonds provides a balanced lung-moistening and phlegm-transforming effect
• Tangerine peel (chen pi): A classic in Chinese food therapy for regulating qi and transforming phlegm; also aids digestion

Ingredients (4 bowls / 2 days)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Golden monk fruit (jin luo han guo)	Half a fruit	Crack open lightly
Mixed almonds (nan bei xing)	5 qian (~19 g)	Rinse
Dried tangerine peel (chen pi)	2 pieces	Soak to soften, then cut into pieces

Method

1. Crack open the golden monk fruit lightly with the back of a knife or spoon.
2. Rinse the mixed almonds.
3. Soak the tangerine peel until soft, then cut into smaller pieces.
4. Place all ingredients in a pot with 6 bowls (~1.2 L) of water.
5. Bring to a boil, then simmer for about 30 minutes, reducing to approximately 4 bowls.
6. This can be portioned for 2 days of drinking.

Bro Niu’s tips

When choosing a golden monk fruit, look for one with even-coloured skin, no cracks or damage, that does not rattle when shaken, and is large and round. A good one will be dry on the outside but have a slightly moist, sugary interior — pale brown in colour without any burnt bitterness. This drink is suitable for all ages and can also be used as a daily wellness beverage with no particular ailment.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (Vicky): My daughter is 2 and has been coughing for a month and a half. She seems to have phlegm stuck in her throat but cannot cough it out. I have been giving her tangerine peel water — should I add monk fruit? Bro Niu: You can use su zi (perilla seed) and lai fu zi (radish seed), 3 qian each, placed in a tea bag, together with one piece of chen pi — cook this into a lean pork congee (porridge) for your daughter. Have her eat it for 3 consecutive servings; it is very effective for children’s phlegm and cough.

• Q (PAT): Can I use ordinary monk fruit instead of the golden variety? And what exactly is “tan huo he”? Bro Niu: If you are used to ordinary monk fruit, it is fine. “Tan huo he” refers to cervical lymph node nodules — small, smooth, moveable lumps in the neck that can be felt by touch. They can often be resolved through food therapy.

• Q (匿名访客): My son is 3.5 years old, has a fever that came back, lots of phlegm, and a cough. Is this drink suitable for him? Bro Niu: Yes, this drink is suitable for the child. If there is a lot of nasal discharge, add 6–8 magnolia buds (xin yi hua) and cook for an additional 10 minutes.

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Published July 16, 2020 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.