Soups
Green Guava and Goji Lean Pork Soup
traditionally taken to support those managing blood sugar
Why people make this soup
Unripe green guava — pale-skinned with a mild aroma — is often overlooked, yet it is perfect for soup. Low in calories and rich in vitamins C and B and other minerals, it is traditionally associated with helping to support blood-sugar balance; it is also kind to the heart and has an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory reputation. Paired with goji in a lean pork soup, it makes a wholesome pot for those managing blood sugar or the “three highs”.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits all ages; clear and fragrant, and also helpful for tired or declining eyesight. Suitable for those with the “three highs” (high blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol).
- This is a wellness soup, not a treatment — continue your doctor’s care.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Unripe guava (fan shi liu): Low-calorie, rich in vitamins C and B and minerals; traditionally associated with helping control blood sugar and benefiting the heart, with an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory reputation.
- Goji (qi zi): Traditionally used to support the liver and brighten the eyes.
Ingredients (3 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Unripe green guava | ~300 g (half a catty) | Washed, cut into chunks |
| Goji berries | ~11 g (3 qian) | Soaked and rinsed |
| Lean pork | ~300 g | Thick slices, blanched |
Method
- Wash and chunk the guava; soak and rinse the goji; slice and blanch the pork.
- Simmer the guava and pork in 6–7 bowls of water for 40 minutes.
- Add the goji and simmer 5 minutes more. Done.
Bro Niu’s tips
Clear, fragrant and tasty, good for young and old, and also helpful for declining eyesight.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Mi): Besides diabetes, my elderly relative has kidney trouble and high blood pressure — can they still drink this soup? Bro Niu: Yes, an older person with the “three highs” can drink this soup.
- Q (Carman): I’ve just had breast surgery and will start radiotherapy at month’s end. What soup or floral tea suits me? I read that spirulina tablets help with breast cancer — which brand? Bro Niu: After breast surgery, often simmer a “four reds” soup to nourish blood — red bean, red-skin peanut, goji and red date, each to taste, 1 hour, drink the soup and eat the ingredients. A rose-and-jasmine tea helps soothe the liver and relieve stress; adding goji helps too. For spirulina tablets, buy from a reliable chain like Watsons or Mannings.
Published October 6, 2023 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
