Soups
Jicama, Corn and Vegetable Soup
Traditionally clears summer heat and eases thirst
Why people make this soup
On a sweltering day when a short walk leaves you drenched and reaching for water, Bro Niu thought of jicama. Unlike the starchier kudzu root (fen ge), jicama is crisp and juicy and works well as a vegetable. It’s traditionally associated with clearing summer heat, generating fluids and easing thirst. Simmered with corn, carrot, mushroom and soybean, it makes a clear, naturally sweet vegetarian soup — and you can eat the cooked ingredients too.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Traditionally chosen by people wanting a cooling, thirst-easing summer soup, and as a gentle vegetarian family bowl. Bro Niu notes it’s also good for those managing the three highs (blood pressure, lipids, sugar).
- A mild, everyday soup with no special cautions noted in the source.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Jicama (sha ge): Traditionally associated with clearing summer heat, generating fluids and easing thirst; its inulin is a prebiotic fiber that supports gut bacteria and helps prevent constipation.
- Corn & carrot: Add natural sweetness and body.
- Mushroom (mo gu): Adds savory depth to a meatless soup.
- Soybean (huang dou): Adds protein and richness in place of meat.
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jicama | 1 | Peeled, chunked |
| Sweet corn | 2 cobs | Husked, chopped |
| Carrot | 1 | Peeled, chunked |
| Fresh button mushrooms | 5 | Rinsed |
| Soybeans | ~38 g | Soaked, rinsed |
Method
- Tear the skin off the jicama and cut into chunks.
- Husk the corn and chop into chunks.
- Peel and chunk the carrot.
- Rinse the mushrooms; soak and rinse the soybeans.
- Bring everything to a boil in 8 bowls of water and simmer about 90 minutes, down to 4 bowls. Eat the soup together with the ingredients.
Bro Niu’s tips
The inulin in jicama is a prebiotic fiber that increases the good bacteria in the gut and helps prevent constipation. This soup is also very beneficial for people managing the three highs.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (reader): A 70-year-old man with rising blood sugar and cholesterol but normal blood pressure, eating lightly — any tea or soup to recommend? Bro Niu: Put a small pinch each of hawthorn, chrysanthemum, lotus-leaf tea and cassia seed in a tea bag and drink it regularly — it helps guard against the three highs.
- Q (Crystal): Is there a flower tea that can ease gout? Bro Niu: Steep 1 tablespoon each of hawthorn, chrysanthemum and green tea as a regular tea — it helps with gout.
Published May 30, 2023 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
