Chinese Herbal Tonic Pear Soup
During my summer vacations in China during my childhood, I always remember munching on Chinese pears and different concoctions derived from Chinese pears. Not only are they super crunchy and delicious, they also are extremely hydrating and cooling during summer heat and during a season, where you are exposed to excess summer heat. They are also extremely soothing during sickness. Chinese Herbal Tonic Pear Soup is cherished in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for its various health benefits. Here's a breakdown of the TCM benefits associated with the ingredients in this tonic soup:
Moistening the Lungs: Pears are known to be particularly beneficial for the lungs, helping to clear heat and reduce phlegm. They are often used to soothe a sore throat and relieve coughs.
Hydrating and Cooling: Pears have a high water content and are naturally cooling, making them excellent for hydrating the body and cooling internal heat.
Mood Enhancement: The pleasant aroma of jasmine flowers is believed to uplift the mood and alleviate symptoms of depression. In TCM, the scent is used in aromatherapy to promote a sense of well-being and emotional balance.
Sedative Effect: Jasmine flowers are known for their calming and sedative properties. They help soothe the mind, reduce anxiety, and alleviate stress. This makes them useful for conditions such as insomnia and restlessness
Cleansing Properties: Jasmine flowers have mild detoxifying properties. They help to clear heat and eliminate toxins from the body, which can be beneficial for skin health and overall detoxification
Ingredients:
3 Asian pears (Also known as Nashi Pears, Chinese/Korean/Japanese pears)
1 tbsp. dried Jasmine flowers
1 tablespoon goji berries
2-3 slices of Dang Gui
1 Cinnamon stick
1 knob of ginger sliced
2-3 pieces of dried lily bulbs (optional)
1-2 tbsp. Manuka honey or 1 small piece of rock sugar (adjust to taste)
1,5 l. water
Instructions:
Prepare the Ingredients:
Wash the Asian pears thoroughly. Peel, core, and cut them into large chunks.
Rinse the goji berries, Jasmine flowers, dang gui and lily bulbs under running water.
Peel and thinly slice the ginger.
Boil the Soup:
In a large pot, add the water and bring it to a boil.
Once boiling, add the pear chunks, ginger, cinnamon stick, jasmine flowers, goji berries, dang gui and dried lily bulbs.
Reduce the heat to a simmer and let it cook on low for about 30-40 minutes, or until the pears are soft and the flavors have melded together.
Sweeten the Soup:
Add Manuka honey or rock sugar to the pot and stir until it is completely dissolved.
Finally, add the goji berries and let the soup simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes.
Serve:
Remove the soup from heat and let it cool slightly.
Serve warm. This soup can also be enjoyed chilled; if so, let it cool to room temperature and then refrigerate. Once cooled, I like to add in on top of my yoghurt together w. some granola & berries in the morning. I store it in a glass jar and I keep it in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Variations: You can customize this soup by adding other traditional Chinese herbs that you prefer or have on hand, such as lotus seeds or dried longan.
Enjoy this beautiful Chinese Herbal Tonic Pear Soup!
