Soups
Fresh Lotus Leaf, Adzuki Bean, Job's Tears & Winter Melon Soup
traditionally used to clear summer heat, drain dampness, reduce water retention, and strengthen the spleen
Why people make this soup
The Great Heat (da shu) solar period arrives in late July, bringing the most intense heat of the Chinese calendar. Working or exercising outdoors carries a real risk of heat exhaustion — warning signs include sudden intense thirst, fatigue, nausea, and dizziness. At home, the typical response in Cantonese households is to cook a pot of winter melon soup. But this version goes further, adding fresh lotus leaf (whose cooling and dampness-draining properties are particularly valuable in humid subtropical summers), adzuki beans, flat beans, and Job’s tears. Together, these ingredients address not just the heat, but also what Chinese medicine calls “dampness” — the heavy, sluggish, waterlogged feeling that comes with humid weather. What is notable about this soup is that despite its cooling ingredients, it is considered gentle enough even for those with a cold constitution. The spleen-strengthening action of the beans and grains means it won’t leave you feeling depleted.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for most people during hot, humid summer weather, including those with cold constitutions (an unusual quality for a cooling soup).
- Children of 4 and above can drink this — it is mild and pleasant.
- Helpful for sweating with heat, mild water retention (oedema), dizziness in heat, or a general heavy, sluggish feeling.
- Those who notice the soup is too filling or causes bloating can reduce the bean quantities slightly.
- Leftover soup keeps for up to two days; reheat thoroughly before serving each time.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Fresh lotus leaf (xian he ye): Cooling and aromatic; traditionally associated with clearing summer heat, draining dampness, lifting clear yang energy, reducing water retention, stopping bleeding, and supporting weight management. Available at Chinese or Asian grocers and herbal supply shops during summer; whole large leaves can be used in congee as well.
- Adzuki beans (chi xiao dou): Drains dampness and reduces puffiness; supports the heart. Neutral to cool.
- Hyacinth beans / flat beans (bian dou): Strengthens the spleen; helps the body process dampness. More warming than adzuki, which balances the cooling nature of the other ingredients.
- Job’s tears / coix seed (sheng yi mi): Supports the lungs, spleen, and kidneys; drains dampness; mild diuretic effect. A staple Cantonese soup grain.
- Winter melon (dong gua, skin on): Deeply cooling; strongly associated with clearing heat, draining dampness, and reducing puffiness. The skin is kept on to strengthen the diuretic and cooling effect.
Ingredients (4–5 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh lotus leaf (xian he ye) | half a large leaf | Rinsed |
| Adzuki beans (chi xiao dou) | ~37 g (1 liang) | Soaked and rinsed |
| Hyacinth / flat beans (bian dou) | ~37 g (1 liang) | Soaked and rinsed |
| Raw Job’s tears (sheng yi mi) | ~37 g (1 liang) | Soaked and rinsed |
| Winter melon (dong gua) | ~600 g (1 jin) | Skin on, washed, cut into chunks |
| Water | 8–9 bowls | ~1.6–1.8 litres |
Method
- Soak and rinse the adzuki beans, flat beans, and Job’s tears.
- Rinse the fresh lotus leaf.
- Wash the winter melon thoroughly; leave the skin on and cut into large chunks.
- Place all ingredients together in a pot with 8–9 bowls of water.
- Bring to the boil, then simmer over medium-low heat for 90 minutes until the liquid reduces to about 4–5 bowls.
- Serve and drink the soup; the solids can be eaten as well.
Bro Niu’s tips
Fresh lotus leaves are available at Chinese or Asian grocers and herbal supply shops during the da shu season, and are sometimes sold as whole large sheets. If you buy a whole sheet, use half for this soup and use the rest to wrap and steam congee — lotus leaf congee has a lovely fragrance and also helps with digestion and weight management. This soup can be eaten by children and elderly alike, without worry about it being too harsh.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (anonymous): Can I add fish to this soup? Will it change the effects? Bro Niu: You can add lean pork or fish — it will enhance the flavour without affecting the food-therapy properties.
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Q (Baby): My 4-year-old, can she drink this? Is it too cooling? Can I add dried tangerine peel, ginger, or honey dates? Bro Niu: This winter melon soup is quite mild and not excessively cooling. People of all ages can drink it. (Note on storage: winter melon soup does not keep well — drink it within two days at most.)
Published July 22, 2022 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
