Seasonal TCM Dietetics — Summer

    Winter Melon & Job's Tears Soup

    冬瓜薏米湯 · Dōng Guā Yì Mǐ Tāng

    Damp-HeatCoolJiangnanSoup
    Winter Melon & Job's Tears Soup — Winter melon and Yì Mǐ together drain Damp-Heat through the Lower Jiāo — a staple in muggy southern summers.

    Winter melon and Yì Mǐ together drain Damp-Heat through the Lower Jiāo — a staple in muggy southern summers.

    Prep
    15 min
    Cook
    1 h
    Total
    1 h 15 min
    Yield
    6 servings

    Ingredients

    • 500 g winter melon (Dōng Guā), peeled and cubed
    • 80 g Job's tears / coix seed (Yì Mǐ / Yì Yǐ Rén)
    • 2 L water
    • 20 g dried adzuki beans (Chì Xiǎo Dòu) — optional for extra draining
    • Small piece of dried tangerine peel (Chén Pí)
    • Pinch of sea salt

    Method

    1. 1Rinse Job's tears and adzuki beans. Soak in cold water for 1–2 hours if time permits.
    2. 2Bring water to the boil. Add Job's tears, adzuki beans and tangerine peel. Simmer for 45 minutes.
    3. 3Add winter melon cubes and continue simmering for 20–25 minutes until translucent.
    4. 4Season lightly with sea salt. Remove tangerine peel before serving.
    5. 5Serve warm as a light broth or cool to room temperature for a summer soup.

    Nutrition (approx.): ~55 kcal per serving · 1 bowl (~350 ml)

    All summer recipes

    Dietary guidance only. Not a substitute for individualised clinical assessment or prescribed treatment.