Soups
Gang Mei Root & Lean Pork Soup
Traditionally used to clear heat and soothe the throat
Why people make this soup
In muggy weather with poor air quality, it’s easy to come down with flu, acute tonsillitis or throat inflammation. Gang mei root is one of the mainstay ingredients of Cantonese cooling teas — bitter-sweet and cold in nature — and is traditionally associated with clearing heat, easing the throat and freeing the voice. Paired with licorice root, the two are traditionally taken to support the body through flu season; the lean pork balances things out, adds nourishment, and keeps the soup from being too cold while staying easy on the stomach.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People in cold-and-flu season, or with a sore throat, hoarse voice, or “lung-heat” type cold; children aged 2 and up can drink it
- A sore throat with high fever or pus on the tonsils needs a doctor and antibiotics — this soup is only supportive
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Gang mei root (gang mei gen): bitter-sweet and cold; traditionally associated with clearing heat, soothing the throat and freeing the voice
- Licorice root (gan cao): traditionally used to clear heat, generate fluids and harmonize the other ingredients
- Lean pork (shou rou): balances the cold herbs and adds nourishment so the soup is gentle on the stomach
Ingredients (3 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gang mei root (gang mei gen) | ~38 g (1 liang) | Dried herb, from a Chinese herb shop |
| Licorice root (gan cao) | ~8 g (2 qian) | |
| Lean pork (shou rou) | ~300 g (half a catty) | Washed |
Method
- Wash all the ingredients.
- Put them in a pot with about 6 bowls of water.
- Simmer about 1 hour, down to roughly 3 bowls. Serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is traditionally taken to clear heat and soothe the throat, and is regarded as helpful for heat-type sore, swollen throats. Children aged 2 and up can drink it.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (annie lee): Can this soup be used for a “lung-heat” cold? Is gang mei root the dried form? Bro Niu: A lung-heat cold can use this soup. Gang mei root is a dried herb, available at Chinese herb shops.
- Q (Yam): Can children drink this soup? Bro Niu: Children aged 2 and up can drink it.
- Q (KY): My husband (27, sensitive nose, “heaty”) has tonsillitis — is “gang mei root and licorice” better, or “luo han guo half plus pang da hai 11 g”? Bro Niu: Both soups are cooling; the luo han guo and pang da hai one tastes better.
Published September 2, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
