Soups
Apple, Pear, Fig, Sweet Almond and Fresh Lily Bulb Sweet Soup
traditionally associated with moistening the lungs, easing a dry cough, and calming the mind
Why people make this soup
In traditional Chinese food therapy, autumn is associated with dryness — the season when dry air most easily depletes the body’s yin fluids, leading to dry lips, dry skin, a dry nose, a scratchy throat and a dry unproductive cough. The remedy, Nourilo explains, is to eat foods that moisten the lungs and replenish body fluids. This sweet soup does exactly that in the most enjoyable way: it tastes light, fresh and gently sweet, and contains several ingredients with a long culinary and traditional wellness history.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for most adults and children; particularly appropriate in dry autumn and winter months
- Traditionally helpful for those with a dry unproductive cough, dry skin or a restless, anxious mood and poor sleep
- Those with diabetes should avoid this sugar-sweetened version; a modification without added rock sugar or sweetened only with a honey date is more appropriate
- Pregnant women can enjoy this soup
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Pear (xue li) and apple (ping guo): Both are considered moistening in Chinese food therapy, with pears especially associated with nourishing lung fluids and easing a dry throat.
- Dried figs (wu hua guo): Naturally sweet and associated with soothing the throat, easing a dry cough and supporting smooth digestion.
- Sweet apricot kernels (nan xing / tian xing ren): Distinct from bitter apricot kernels; the sweet variety has a mild moistening effect on the lungs and is commonly used in Cantonese dessert soups. They are safe for regular use.
- Fresh lily bulb (xian bai he): A prized ingredient in Chinese food therapy, associated with nourishing the lungs, calming the mind and promoting restful sleep.
- Rock sugar (bing tang): Used instead of refined sugar as it is considered gentler and less drying.
Ingredients (3–4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Apple | 1 medium | Blanch briefly to remove wax and pesticides; core and roughly chop |
| Asian pear (xue li) | 1 medium | Blanch briefly; core and roughly chop |
| Dried figs (wu hua guo) | 4 pieces | Rinse; cut in half |
| Sweet apricot kernels (nan xing) | 38 g | Rinse and soak briefly |
| Fresh lily bulb (xian bai he) | 2 bulbs | Separate petals and rinse (or use 38 g dried) |
| Rock sugar | to taste | |
| Water | 6 bowls (approx. 1.5 litres) |
Method
- Dip the apple and pear briefly into boiling water to remove surface wax and reduce pesticide residue. Core them and cut into rough chunks.
- Rinse the figs and cut them in half.
- Rinse and briefly soak the sweet apricot kernels.
- Separate the fresh lily bulb petals and rinse clean.
- Place the apple, pear, apricot kernels and figs in a pot with 6 bowls of water. Bring to the boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
- Add rock sugar and the fresh lily bulb petals. Simmer for a further 15 minutes.
- Serve warm or at room temperature; eat the fruit and other ingredients along with the broth.
Nourilo’s Tips
This soup is suitable for all ages. It is especially helpful for those with a dry cough with no phlegm and for those who feel restless or have difficulty sleeping. If fresh lily bulbs are unavailable, use 38 g of dried lily bulbs — add them with the other ingredients at the start, not just at the end.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (reader): My husband has diabetes. Can he drink this soup? He also has a sensitive airway and coughs. Nourilo: Those with diabetes should avoid sweetened soups like this one. For a sensitive airway cough, try simmering 3 qian of fritillaria (chuan bei) with one peeled, cored apple in 4 bowls of water until reduced to 2 bowls. Take 3–4 doses.
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Q (reader): Can I add chuan bei (fritillaria), hai zhu (bamboo pith), sha shen and chong cao hua to this soup? Nourilo: You can add sea bamboo pith (hai zhu) and sha shen (adenophora) — both complement the moistening effect of this soup nicely.
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Q (chanwengi): I made this without sugar and sweetened it with a honey date. My husband and son both loved it, and my son slept better afterward. In the change of season, his eyes have been dry and itchy though — can I add something to help? Nourilo: You could add about 2 liang of mung beans (lu dou) to the pot. This adds a cooling, heat-clearing effect that can help with skin flare-ups and eye irritation that appear when the weather is still warm beneath the autumn chill.
Published November 26, 2017 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
