Soups
Cordyceps Flower, Fresh Yam and Dendrobium Soup
traditionally taken to support the body's immune defenses
Why people make this soup
When autumn turns dry, the throat and airways feel it first. Bro Niu likes this pot because it is gentle — neither heating nor cooling — so the whole family can share it. Cordyceps flower, fresh yam and dendrobium are a classic trio for the season, traditionally used to nourish the body and help it stand up to whatever is going around.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits all ages looking for a balanced, nourishing autumn soup; pleasant for both young and old.
- Best avoided by anyone with a fever or active cold/flu — wait until the fever has passed.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Cordyceps flower (chong cao hua): Despite the name it contains no insect; it is the cultivated fruiting body, rich in vitamins and minerals and traditionally associated with supporting the lungs and the body’s resistance.
- Fresh yam (xian huai shan): Traditionally used to strengthen the spleen and replenish qi.
- Fresh dendrobium (xian shi hu): Valued for nourishing yin and promoting fluids, easing dryness.
- Red dates (hong zao): Warm and sweet, traditionally used to nourish blood and harmonize the other ingredients.
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cordyceps flower | ~19 g (5 qian) | Rinse briefly only |
| Fresh Chinese yam | ~150 g (4 liang) | Peeled, cut into chunks |
| Fresh dendrobium | ~38 g (1 liang) | Rinsed, cut into sections |
| Red dates | 5 | Pitted |
| Lean pork | ~300 g | Thick slices, blanched |
Method
- Rinse the cordyceps flower briefly. Peel and chunk the fresh yam; rinse and cut the dendrobium into sections; pit the red dates; slice and blanch the pork.
- Put everything except the cordyceps flower into a pot with 8 bowls of water and simmer for 1 hour.
- Add the cordyceps flower and simmer a further 20 minutes, reducing to about 4 bowls. Serve the soup with the ingredients.
Bro Niu’s tips
Don’t soak or wash the cordyceps flower for long — the spores that cling to it can wash away, and over-cooking robs it of its lovely aroma. The soup is balanced and good for young and old alike, but skip it if you have a cold with fever.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (reader): I’m in my 60s and have caught it twice, with a very sore throat each time. How can I guard against a third time? Can I drink this soup? Bro Niu: Your lungs may be on the weaker side and prone to infection. Drink this soup often. You can also simmer fresh houttuynia (about 113 g) with 5 red dates in a lean pork soup to help reduce susceptibility. Wear a mask on public transport.
- Q (Susanna): My father-in-law is in hospital and the family is in and out visiting. We worry about getting run down ourselves — is this soup suitable for us? Bro Niu: Yes, this soup supports immune defenses and is suitable for both the patient and visiting family.
Published September 12, 2023 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
