Soups
Lotus Leaf, Fresh Lotus Seed and Winter Melon Soup
traditionally associated with clearing summer heat, draining dampness, and supporting digestion
Why people make this soup
On a sweltering summer day — the kind where the air feels thick and afternoon rainstorms offer no real relief — a cooling soup is one of the most practical things you can put on the stove. Old winter melon, with its skin dusted in natural white frost, is a classic midsummer ingredient. Paired with fresh lotus seeds, organic coix seed and mung beans, it makes a soup that is clean-tasting, lightly fragrant, and genuinely refreshing. Bro Niu often adds a piece of fresh lotus leaf to bring a pleasant aromatic lift to the whole pot.
What makes this soup especially appealing is its temperament: it is neither too cooling nor too warming, which means practically everyone in the family — from grandparents to young children — can enjoy it together.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits most people during hot, humid summer weather — safe for children, the elderly, and pregnant women (omit the coix seed during pregnancy)
- Particularly helpful for those feeling sluggish, heavy, or overheated
- People with a very cold constitution who frequently have loose stools may want to reduce the mung bean quantity slightly
- Safe to drink during a fever according to Bro Niu
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Old winter melon (dong gua): Cool and sweet, one of summer’s great cooling vegetables. The natural white frost on the skin is a marker of a fully ripened old melon, which is considered more effective at draining excess water and clearing heat than a young melon.
- Fresh lotus seeds (xian lian zi): Mildly sweet and neutral in nature. Freshly harvested lotus seeds are more delicate and fragrant than dried ones. In food therapy they are associated with strengthening the spleen and calming the mind.
- Coix seed / Job’s tears (yi mi): One of the most commonly used ingredients for draining dampness and supporting the spleen and stomach. Organic varieties are preferred. Avoid during pregnancy.
- Mung beans (lu dou): Well known for their heat-clearing properties, gentle enough for everyday summer use.
- Lotus leaf (he ye): Aromatic and slightly bitter, the lotus leaf is associated with lifting the spirit, dispersing summer heat, and aiding digestion. It also lends the soup a pleasant, clean fragrance.
Ingredients (4–5 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Old winter melon (dong gua) | ~600 g | Skin on or off; cut into chunks |
| Fresh lotus seeds (xian lian zi) | 75–115 g | Dried lotus seeds can substitute |
| Organic coix seed (yi mi) | ~38 g (1 liang) | Omit during pregnancy |
| Mung beans (lu dou) | ~38 g (1 liang) | Rinsed |
| Fresh lotus leaf (he ye) | 1 small piece | Dried lotus leaf also works |
Method
- Cut the winter melon into large chunks (no need to peel).
- Rinse the lotus seeds, coix seed, mung beans, and lotus leaf.
- Combine all ingredients in a large pot with 10 bowls of water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a medium-low simmer and cook for 2 hours until reduced to 4–5 bowls.
- Serve the soup and eat the cooked ingredients together — everything in the pot is edible and nutritious.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is gentle enough to serve as a regular summer health tonic for the whole household. It nourishes the spleen and stomach without being heavy. A small amount of rock sugar may be added if making it for children, but keep it light — too much sweetness can generate phlegm.
If you cannot find fresh lotus leaves, dried lotus leaf purchased from a herbal shop works fine. Just soak it briefly to soften before adding to the pot.
Community questions answered (selected)
-
Q (kk): I am eight months pregnant — can I drink this soup? What about tofu skin dessert soup? Bro Niu: Both soups are fine at eight months pregnant. Just remember to leave out the coix seed.
-
Q (Priscilla): Is this soup suitable for a two-and-a-half-year-old girl? Bro Niu: Yes, young children can have this soup.
-
Q (Cindylabb): Can this soup be drunk during a fever or cold? I am using lean pork and the winter melon packet from the pharmacy. Bro Niu: Yes, a winter melon dampness-clearing soup can be drunk during a fever. Adding lean pork is fine.
Published July 7, 2014 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
