Soups
Fresh Lotus Seed, Lily Bulb and Red Bean Sweet Soup
Traditionally used to nourish blood, brighten complexion, and support restful sleep
Why people make this sweet soup
When fresh lotus seeds and fresh lily bulbs appear together in the mid-autumn season, Bro Niu knows exactly what to make: a classic Cantonese sweet soup (tang shui) that is as enjoyable to eat as it is nourishing. In traditional food-therapy thinking, this combination is said to calm the heart-mind, support the blood, and brighten the complexion — a nice counterpoint to the dehydrating effects of air-conditioning and late nights. Red beans add a beautiful colour, earthy sweetness, and a tradition of their own as a blood-nourishing ingredient. A piece of tangerine peel ties the whole pot together, aiding digestion and reducing any gassy feeling from the beans.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for most adults and children; a gentle, everyday sweet soup
- Particularly associated with supporting those who feel tired, have trouble settling the mind at night, or want to maintain a clear complexion
- Those with rosacea or inflammatory skin conditions may prefer the green bean and job’s tears combination instead (see Bro Niu’s note below)
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Fresh lotus seeds (xian lian zi): Traditionally used to nourish the heart and spleen, calm restlessness, and support the kidneys; the lotus core (lian zi xin) inside has an extra cooling effect useful for clearing heat
- Fresh lily bulb (xian bai he): Traditionally associated with clearing the heart, calming the mind, moistening the lungs, and supporting the yin energy
- Red beans (hong dou): Traditionally valued for clearing heart fire, nourishing the blood, brightening the complexion, and supporting bone and cardiovascular health
- Dried tangerine peel (chen pi): Added when cooking beans to ease digestion and reduce bloating; also said to regulate qi and warm the stomach
- Rock sugar: Dissolves into a clear, mild sweetness that complements the other flavours without heaviness
Ingredients (3–4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh lotus seeds (xian lian zi) | 75 g | Remove the green core inside each seed |
| Fresh lily bulb (xian bai he) | 38 g | Separate into individual petals, rinse |
| Red beans (hong dou) | 75 g | Rinse and soak; Tianjin-style red beans soften more easily |
| Dried tangerine peel (chen pi) | 1 piece | Soak briefly, scrape off white pith |
| Rock sugar | To taste | Add at the end |
Method
- Separate the fresh lily bulb into individual petals and rinse well.
- Remove the green core from each fresh lotus seed and rinse.
- Rinse the red beans and soak them for several hours or overnight — this helps them break down into a soft, sandy texture.
- Soak the tangerine peel until soft, then scrape off the white pith on the inside.
- Place the red beans, tangerine peel, and lotus seeds in a pot with 7–8 bowls (about 1.4–1.6 litres) of water.
- Bring to a boil, then simmer over medium-low heat for about 50 minutes until the beans are soft.
- Add the lily bulb petals and continue cooking for a further 10 minutes.
- Add rock sugar to taste, stir until dissolved, and serve warm or at room temperature.
Bro Niu’s tips
The green core inside fresh lotus seeds has a cooling, bitter flavour and can be saved and steeped as a tea in summer — it is traditionally associated with clearing heart fire and supporting healthy blood pressure. Whenever you cook beans, always add a piece of tangerine peel: it reduces bloating, aids digestion, and lifts the overall flavour. If fresh lotus seeds are unavailable, dried lotus seeds (soaked beforehand) work well too. For the best sandy texture from the red beans, look for Tianjin-style red beans, or soak them overnight before cooking.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (chan): Red beans are hard to get soft — any tips? Bro Niu: Tianjin red beans dissolve more easily. Otherwise, soak them in clean water overnight before cooking and they will soften much more readily.
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Q (Celica): I have rosacea — can I drink this soup? Bro Niu: A green bean and job’s tears soup with kelp would be more suitable for rosacea.
Published August 6, 2022 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
