Tonic Drinks & Waters
Green Papaya, Job's Tears & Coconut Water
Traditionally used to support healthy uric-acid levels
Why people make this drink
Hong Kongers love seafood, and family gatherings often turn into seafood feasts washed down with beer. For middle-aged and older folks with a family history of gout, that combination — high-purine seafood, organ meats and beer — is exactly what can set off a painful gout flare. Bro Niu shares this green papaya, Job’s tears and coconut water drink because it tastes good and is traditionally used to support the body in clearing uric acid. Those who tend toward gout can have it regularly.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People prone to high uric acid or gout who want a gentle, tasty supportive drink
- Anyone with gout should still limit high-purine foods (seafood, organ meats, beer) day to day
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Green papaya (qing mu gua): traditionally a light, cooling fruit used in supportive drinks for those watching uric acid.
- Job’s tears (yi mi): long associated with draining dampness and supporting the body’s water metabolism.
- Coconut water (ye zi shui): naturally sweet and hydrating; fresh coconut water makes it especially fragrant.
Ingredients (about 2 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Green papaya | 1 small | with skin, deseeded, cut into chunks |
| Job’s tears (yi mi) | ~38 g | rinsed and soaked |
| Coconut water | 1–2 bottles | fresh preferred |
Method
- Wash the green papaya, leave the skin on, remove the seeds and cut into chunks.
- Rinse and soak the Job’s tears.
- Cook everything together for about 40 minutes, reducing to roughly 2 bowls. Serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
Fresh coconut water works even better. If you use fresh coconut water, add an extra bowl of plain water when cooking — the flavour comes out sweeter and more fragrant. And of course, beyond drinking this, anyone with gout should keep high-purine foods to a minimum to reduce flare-ups.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Juan): Bro Niu, if someone has gout, can they not have sea cucumber soup or braised sea cucumber? Bro Niu: People with gout should eat less seafood and shellfish, but a small amount is fine. Afterwards, brew this coconut water, green papaya and Job’s tears drink to help clear uric acid.
- Q (Ming): It’s been raining a lot lately; on wet days I feel awful all over — heavy eyelids, sleepy, a bit dizzy, sore neck and shoulders, swollen gums, itchy skin. Is this too much dampness? Any soup to ease it? Bro Niu: Try kudzu (fen ge) ~600 g with rice bean (chi xiao dou), hyacinth bean (bian dou) and Job’s tears (~38 g each) plus 2 honey dates, simmered with pork bone for 2 hours. The whole family can drink it; you take 2 bowls a day, 2–3 doses. It helps strengthen the spleen, drain dampness and ease neck-and-shoulder soreness.
Published September 22, 2024 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
