Mulberry, Goji Berry and Quail Soup

Why people make this soup

It is a familiar modern problem: children with faces pressed to screens, teenagers developing near-sightedness, adults ending the day with tired, strained eyes. Traditional Chinese food therapy has long associated the health of the eyes with the liver and kidney meridians — so the approach is to nourish those organs rather than treat the eyes directly. Red, yellow, and deep purple-black fruits and vegetables are considered especially supportive of the visual nerves, which is why mulberries, goji berries, carrots, tomatoes, blueberries, and strawberries all feature prominently in eye-health cooking. This soup uses mulberries and goji berries as its core, paired with quail — sometimes called the “ginseng of animals” for its remarkably tonifying effect on the five organs — and red dates. The result is a clear, subtly sweet broth that is gentle enough for children and nourishing enough for the elderly.