Soups
Adzuki Bean, Black-Eyed Pea, Job's Tears and Old Cucumber Soup
Traditionally clears summer heat and dispels damp
Why people make this soup
Nourilo here. In the heat of summer I love using gourds and melons in soup, and old cucumber and winter melon are both fine summer choices. Old cucumber is a favourite of mine — and a little tip: the two ends of a cucumber carry a touch of bitterness, but do not be too quick to cut it away, as that mild bitter note is part of what makes it good. Paired with adzuki bean, black-eyed pea and Job’s tears, this soup is traditionally enjoyed in hot, sticky weather, especially when you feel restless with dark, scanty urine and a touch of puffiness.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People feeling the heat and damp of hot weather, with a restless, swollen feeling
- The red dates temper the cooling nature of old cucumber, so it is gentle enough for young and old
- Job’s tears is traditionally avoided in pregnancy
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Adzuki bean (chi xiao dou): Traditionally used to support healthy fluid balance and ease swelling.
- Black-eyed pea (mei dou): Traditionally associated with strengthening the spleen and dispelling damp.
- Job’s tears (yi mi): Traditionally used to strengthen the spleen and dispel damp.
- Old cucumber (lao huang gua): A cooling summer melon; the red dates balance its cool nature.
Ingredients (4–5 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adzuki beans | ~40 g | Soak and rinse |
| Black-eyed peas | ~40 g | Soak and rinse |
| Raw Job’s tears | ~40 g | Soak and rinse |
| Red dates | 6 | Pitted |
| Old cucumber | 1 | Scrape out the pith, cut into pieces |
| Pork ribs | ~450 g | Blanch |
Method
- Soak and rinse the adzuki beans, black-eyed peas and Job’s tears. Scrape the pith from the old cucumber and cut into pieces. Pit the red dates. Blanch the pork ribs.
- Cook all the ingredients in 8–9 bowls of water for 2 hours, reducing to 4–5 bowls. Serve.
Nourilo’s Tips
The red dates added here soften the cool nature of old cucumber, so it is fine for young and old. You can use 2 honey dates instead of the red dates if you prefer.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Alice): Can I use cashews, walnuts or chestnuts in place of pork ribs in this soup? Can most soups use these three nuts instead of meat? Nourilo: Yes, you can use cashews or walnut meat in place of meat — most soups can be made this way.
- Q (Kaka): Can someone drink adzuki and Job’s tears soup after a stroke? Nourilo: Yes, adzuki and Job’s tears soup can be had after a stroke.
- Q (maggie): My 4-year-old keeps coughing after a fever, with no runny or blocked nose. There was a phlegmy sound at first, then it faded — what soup can I make? Nourilo: You can make a congee with 1 carrot and 12 pitted red dates for the child, 3–4 doses a week. Red dates contain a substance traditionally believed to help calm overactive allergy cells, so this is especially gentle for children with an allergy-type cough.
Published August 7, 2024 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
