Soups
Three-Bean Summer Soup
Traditionally clears summer heat without being too cooling
Why people make this soup
When the heat alerts go up, Bro Niu reaches for beans. A bowl of plain mung-bean soup is the classic summer cooler, but some people find it too cold for the stomach. His fix is this three-bean version: mung bean for cooling, plus the gentler black-eyed pea and soybean, with a piece of warming tangerine peel — so the soup clears summer heat without chilling you. It’s a tasty, everyday family bowl.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Traditionally chosen by people who want to cool off in hot weather, and as a gentle family soup. Bro Niu notes it also suits those managing high blood pressure, high lipids, high cholesterol, heart concerns or kidney inflammation.
- People with gout should not drink this soup (bean soups are high in purines).
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Mung bean (lü dou): Traditionally associated with clearing summer heat and easing thirst and restlessness.
- Black-eyed pea (mei dou): Neutral in nature; traditionally associated with transforming damp, supporting the spleen and stomach, and easing puffiness.
- Soybean (huang dou): Traditionally associated with supporting circulation and water metabolism; rich in nutrition.
- Tangerine peel (chen pi): Slightly warming, to keep the soup from being too cold.
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mung beans | ~38 g | Soaked 1 hour |
| Black-eyed peas | ~38 g | Soaked 1 hour |
| Soybeans | ~38 g | Soaked 1 hour |
| Tangerine peel | 1 piece | Soaked soft |
| Rock sugar | to taste |
Method
- Soak the three beans separately in water for 1 hour; soak the tangerine peel soft.
- Bring everything to a boil in 8 bowls of water and simmer about 90 minutes, down to 4 bowls.
- Add the rock sugar, let it dissolve, and serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
Bean skins contain galactose-type substances that can cause gas, so soak the beans thoroughly before cooking to avoid bloating. This fragrant, tasty soup suits young and old — but people with gout should not drink it.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (reader): Can I use red beans? If so, which bean in the photo does the red bean replace? Bro Niu: You can use red beans in place of the soybeans — red beans nourish the blood and help drain water and reduce puffiness.
- Q (Klc): My family has diabetes, so no rock sugar — what can I use instead? Bro Niu: Use 4–5 date palm fruits (jujube-style dates) instead of rock sugar; they don’t raise blood sugar easily.
Published May 27, 2023 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
