Soups
Cordyceps Flower Spore, Sea Solomon's Seal and Lean Pork Soup
Traditionally taken to moisten the lungs, nourish the skin and ease nasal and airway sensitivity
Why people make this soup
Cordyceps flower is an edible fungus whose nourishment is concentrated in the head, so the spore heads are especially prized — Bro Niu calls them “an everyday person’s tonic,” traditionally used to support the lungs and kidneys and ease nasal and airway sensitivity. Here he pairs them with sea Solomon’s seal, traditionally used to nourish yin and moisten the lungs, plus goji and red dates, for a tasty, nourishing pork soup that’s good for guarding against autumn dryness.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Anyone wanting a moistening soup for the lungs and skin, or to ease nasal and airway sensitivity; traditionally regarded as helpful for rough skin and a dull complexion; fine for young and old.
- Avoid during an active cold with fever.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Cordyceps flower spore (chong cao bao zi): nourishment concentrated in the head; traditionally used to support the lungs and kidneys and ease sensitivity.
- Snow fungus (xue er): traditionally used to moisten and nourish, and support the skin.
- Sea Solomon’s seal (hai yu zhu): traditionally used to nourish yin, ease restlessness and moisten the lungs (a reader noted it’s a type of huang jing, with an added kidney-supporting reputation).
- Goji and red dates (gou qi zi, hong zao): traditionally used to nourish the body, support the skin and add sweetness.
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cordyceps flower spore heads | ~19 g (5 qian) | Rinse, soak |
| Snow fungus | ~11 g (3 qian) | Soak, remove base |
| Sea Solomon’s seal | ~19 g (5 qian) | Rinse, soak |
| Goji berries | ~11 g (3 qian) | Rinse, soak |
| Red dates | 5 | Pitted |
| Lean pork | ~300 g | Sliced thick, blanched |
Method
- Rinse and soak the ingredients separately; remove the base from the snow fungus; pit the red dates.
- Slice the lean pork thick and blanch.
- Simmer everything in 8 bowls of water for about 1.5 hours, reducing to 4 bowls. Serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is fragrant and sweet, fine for young and old, and traditionally regarded as helpful for rough skin and a dull complexion. But anyone with an active cold and fever should not drink it.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Iris): What’s the difference between sea Solomon’s seal (hai yu zhu) and ordinary Solomon’s seal (yu zhu)? Can I substitute ordinary yu zhu? Bro Niu: Their effects are similar; sea Solomon’s seal is a type of huang jing with an added kidney-supporting action. You can use ordinary yu zhu as a substitute.
Published September 15, 2024 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
