Desserts
Lily Bulb, Lotus Seed and Tremella Dessert Soup
Lily bulb, lotus seed and tremella dessert soup is a classic Chinese nourishing sweet soup that captures the essence of "moistening, clearing, and calming" in one bowl. The tremella is velvety and collagen-rich, gliding smoothly down your throat；the lotus seeds are floury and dense, melting on the tongue；the lily bulbs are sweet and tender, carrying a subtle floral aroma. Three white ingredients come together in a clear, amber-hued broth – crystal-clear tremella, jade-white lotus seeds, and petal-like lily bulbs create a feast for both the eyes and the palate. Unlike the pear version, which is crisper and cooler, this soup carries the earthy richness of lotus seeds and the refined elegance of lily bulbs – a perfect expression of TCM's "white enters the lungs" philosophy. It serves as both a "humidifier for the lungs" in dry seasons and a "natural tranquilizer" for restless nights – one warm bowl soothes dryness and settles the heart.
Main Ingredients
- Dried tremella 1 piece
- Dried lotus seeds (core-removed) 20g
- Dried lily bulbs 15g
- Rock sugar 30g
- Goji berries 10g
- Water 1.8-2.2L
Steps
Place tremella in a bowl, cover with cold water (never hot). Soak for 2-3 hours until fully expanded. Trim the hard yellow root, then tear into tiny pieces (smaller = more gelatin). Rinse and drain.
Soak dried lotus seeds and dried lily bulbs separately in warm water for 1-2 hours. Check and remove any remaining green cores from lotus seeds. Rinse lily bulbs. If using fresh lily bulbs, just rinse and separate.
Place shredded tremella into a clay pot with water (approx. 1.8L). Bring to a boil, then reduce to low heat, cover, and simmer for 40-50 minutes until the tremella softens.
Add the soaked lotus seeds and lily bulbs. Continue simmering over low heat for 30-40 minutes until the lotus seeds are soft and floury, the lily bulbs turn tender, the tremella fully releases its collagen, and the soup thickens.
In the last 5-8 minutes, add rock sugar and goji berries. Stir well to dissolve and rehydrate.
Turn off the heat, cover and rest for 5 minutes to further release the gelatin. Serve warm or chilled.
TCM Notes
Lung-moistening, yin-nourishing & beautifying (core benefit)：Tremella polysaccharides (60%-70%) lock in moisture for the skin and reduce wrinkles；lily bulbs are rich in mucilage and vitamins, clearing heat and relieving dry coughs – together they hydrate the body from within. Heart-calming, mind-soothing & sleep-improving (core benefit)：Liensinine and aromatic glycosides in lotus seeds have sedative effects on the central nervous system, relieving insomnia, restlessness and frequent dreams；lily glycosides and colchicine in lily bulbs provide additional calming effects – doubling the mind-soothing power. Spleen-strengthening & anti-diarrheal: Lotus seeds are sweet and astringent – they help consolidate the intestines, improving chronic diarrhea and frequent nocturia caused by spleen deficiency. Immunity-boosting & anti-aging: Tremella polysaccharides enhance macrophage activity；lily bulbs are rich in various alkaloids and trace minerals – working together to scavenge free radicals and delay aging. Mild laxative & gut-soothing: Dietary fiber and mucilage in tremella and lily bulbs promote intestinal peristalsis and soften stools, relieving mild constipation.
Suitable for：Those with dry, rough skin needing internal beauty care People with lung-dry coughs, dry throat, or prone to heatiness in autumn/winter Those suffering from insomnia, restlessness, frequent dreaming, or neurasthenia (core beneficiaries) Menopausal women (nourishing yin, relieving hot flashes and irritability) Those with chronic diarrhea or poor appetite due to spleen deficiency People with late-night habits, smokers, or working in AC/dry environments Elderly individuals and sub-healthy populations needing gentle nourishment
Not suitable for：Spleen-stomach deficiency-cold with dampness (use with caution!)：Symptoms include abdominal pain relieved by warmth, loose stools – tremella, lily and lotus seeds are cool to neutral, which may worsen cold-dampness. If consuming, add 3-5 ginger slices + 5 red dates to balance, limit to 1 small bowl (~150ml), and avoid long-term continuous use. Wind-cold cough (Absolute contraindication!)：Deep cough with thin white phlegm, clear runny nose, chills without sweating – this soup is for "dry" and "heat" coughs only. Using it for wind-cold will trap pathogens. Severe constipation or dry hard stools (use with caution!)：Lotus seeds are astringent and reduce intestinal moisture, worsening constipation. Such individuals should reduce lotus seed amount (to less than 10g) or omit them entirely and only consume tremella-lily soup. Diabetics (extreme caution)：Contains added rock sugar and natural sugars. Omit rock sugar entirely, rely solely on natural sweetness, limit to ≤100ml, and monitor blood glucose post-meal. Abdominal bloating or food stagnation: The astringent, starchy nature of lotus seeds may aggravate indigestion and gas. Acute diarrhea or enteritis: Wait until symptoms subside before consuming. Infants under 1 year old: The sticky texture poses a choking hazard, and lotus seeds contain alkaloids – their digestive systems are underdeveloped. Avoid.
