Lotus Seed, Lily Bulb and Snow Lotus Seed Sweet Soup

Why people make this sweet soup

Snow lotus seed goes by a glamorous name, but it is actually called soap pod seed (zao jiao mi) in Chinese herbalism — a small, pearlescent seed with a silky-smooth, slightly chewy texture when cooked overnight. It has long been used in southern Chinese kitchens as a skin-supporting ingredient, traditionally associated with clearing liver heat, supporting the eyes and nourishing the complexion. Bro Niu pairs it here with lotus seeds (which calm and strengthen the spleen-heart connection), dried lily bulb (which settles the mind and supports sleep), longan flesh (which warms and nourishes the blood) and red dates (which add natural sweetness and support digestion). The result is a soothing sweet soup that is as enjoyable for its flavor and texture as it is for its traditional benefits — a pot of quiet self-care on a restless evening.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Suits most people; particularly associated with supporting those who feel fatigued, have a dull complexion, feel restless or sleep poorly.
• Suitable for children and the elderly.
• Not suitable during an active cold, flu or fever.
• People who run warm or constitutionally hot should consider reducing or omitting the longan flesh (yuan rou), which is warming in nature; they may also use dark dates (hei zao) or southern dates (nan zao) in place of red dates.

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Lotus seeds with skin (lian zi): Skin-on lotus seeds are more nourishing than the blanched variety; they strengthen the spleen, calm the heart and have a mildly astringent quality. Keeping the green core inside adds a slightly cooling note that is associated with clearing heart fire and supporting blood pressure.
• Dried lily bulb (bai he): In Chinese food therapy, lily bulb is a classic ingredient for calming the mind, easing restlessness and supporting the lungs.
• Snow lotus seeds / soap pod seeds (xue lian zi / zao jiao mi): The true name for these pearlescent seeds is soap pod seeds; they need an overnight soak to soften fully and develop their signature slippery-smooth texture. Traditionally associated with clearing liver heat, nourishing the complexion and supporting eye health.
• Longan flesh (yuan rou): Warming and nourishing to the blood; traditionally used to calm anxiety and support sleep. Use less or omit for those with a warm constitution.
• Red dates (hong zao): Naturally sweet; traditionally used to nourish the blood and support the spleen.

Ingredients (3–4 bowls)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Lotus seeds (skin on)	38 g	Rinse and soak 30 min; keeping the green core is optional
Dried lily bulb	38 g	Rinse and soak 20 min
Snow lotus seeds (zao jiao mi)	19 g	Soak overnight — they need a full soaking to soften
Longan flesh	19 g	Rinse
Red dates	6 pieces	Pitted
Rock sugar	To taste	Add at the end

Method

1. Soak the snow lotus seeds in cold water overnight (at minimum 6–8 hours) — they are quite hard and need thorough soaking to become soft and silky.
2. Rinse the lotus seeds and lily bulb; soak for 30 and 20 minutes respectively; drain.
3. Pit the red dates.
4. Rinse the longan flesh.
5. Combine all ingredients in a pot with 7 bowls (about 1.65 L) of water.
6. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer for 1 hour.
7. Add rock sugar and stir until dissolved. Serve warm, or allow to cool to room temperature.

Bro Niu’s tips

• Snow lotus seeds are quite firm when dry — soaking overnight is really important. After a full soak, the seeds become tender, slightly springy and pleasantly sticky-smooth, which is exactly what you want.
• Adding cold milk turns this into a sweeter, creamier dessert drink — as long as you are not sensitive to dairy, this works beautifully.
• After having a baby, wait until you have fully recovered before drinking this (generally after the postpartum recovery period is complete).

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (susie): For lotus seeds — white lotus seeds or skin-on? Do I need to remove the green core? Bro Niu: Skin-on lotus seeds are more nourishing than white (fully processed) ones. The green core helps clear heart fire and can also support blood pressure, but it does add a slightly bitter note — keep it in or remove it based on your preference.

• Q (朗妈): My constitution runs quite warm and I normally avoid red dates. Can I leave them out? Can children aged 5–8 drink this? Bro Niu: If you run warm, avoid the longan flesh and substitute dark dates or southern dates for the red dates. Children can certainly drink this.

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Published August 4, 2017 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.