Congees
Tangerine Peel and Kelp Porridge
Tangerine Peel and Kelp Porridge is a traditional Chinese medicinal wellness congee, made with kelp and japonica rice as the main ingredients, cooked with tangerine peel (Chenpi). Tangerine peel is pungent and bitter in taste, warm in nature, and channels to the Spleen and Lung meridians. It is known for regulating qi and strengthening the spleen, and drying dampness and resolving phlegm. Kelp is salty in taste, cold in nature, and channels to the Liver, Kidney, and Stomach meridians. It is known for softening hardness and dispersing nodules, and resolving phlegm and promoting diuresis. Japonica rice is sweet in taste, neutral in nature, and channels to the Spleen, Stomach, and Lung meridians. It tonifies the middle and supplements qi, and strengthens the spleen and harmonizes the stomach. Together, tangerine peel regulates qi and strengthens the stomach, kelp promotes diuresis and clears heat, and rice tonifies the spleen and stomach, achieving the combined effects of tonifying qi and nourishing blood, clearing heat and promoting diuresis, regulating qi and strengthening the spleen, and calming the spirit and strengthening the body. The porridge is soft and palatable, with the aromatic bitterness of tangerine peel perfectly balanced by the savory flavor of kelp. This porridge is especially suitable for expectant mothers to build strength before labor and for postpartum recovery, as well as for daily consumption by those with gastrointestinal disorders and constipation.
Main Ingredients
- Dried kelp 100g
- Japonica rice 100g
- Tangerine peel (Chenpi) 2 pieces
- White sugar (or brown sugar) To taste
Steps
Soak the dried kelp in warm water until soft, rinse thoroughly with clean water, and cut into fine pieces or thin shreds. Rinse repeatedly until no mucus remains to prevent sand from affecting the texture. Rinse the tangerine peel with clean water and soak for no more than 15 minutes to prevent excessive bitterness. Rinse the japonica rice and set aside.
Place the japonica rice in a pot with an appropriate amount of water (approximately 1:8 ratio of rice to water). Bring to a boil over high heat.
Once boiling, add the prepared kelp pieces and tangerine peel. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Cook over low heat until the porridge is done, approximately 30 minutes. Maintain the water level at least 3 cm above the ingredients to prevent burning
Add white sugar (or brown sugar) to taste. If using shredded ginger, add it during cooking.
TCM Notes
Modern Nutrition Research: Digestive health: Volatile oils in tangerine peel promote digestive juice secretion and improve gastrointestinal motility. Tangerine peel helps eliminate gastrointestinal toxins and regulate gastrointestinal function. Nutritional support: Kelp is rich in iodine, which is essential for thyroid hormone synthesis. Its calcium, phosphorus, and iron content supports postpartum recovery. Laxative effect: Kelp is high in dietary fiber, effectively stimulating intestinal motility and accelerating gas expulsion. Combined with tangerine peel, it promotes digestive juice secretion and helps eliminate intestinal gas and toxins. Clearing heat and promoting diuresis: Kelp is cold in nature, with effects including promoting diuresis and relieving asthma. Mannitol in kelp has diuretic and anti-edema effects. Calming and strengthening: Complex carbohydrates and trace minerals work synergistically to regulate neurotransmitter secretion. This porridge tonifies qi, nourishes blood, and calms the spirit.
Suitable for：Expectant mothers (two weeks before due date): Builds strength and reserves energy for labor Postpartum women: Stabilizes mood, improves sleep, and promotes recovery Those with gastrointestinal disorders (abdominal bloating, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite) Those with constipation (laxative effect) Those needing to clear heat, promote diuresis, and relieve asthma Generally suitable for most people as a daily wellness porridge in moderation
Not suitable for：Those with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold: Kelp is cold in nature and may worsen symptoms Those with hyperthyroidism (Graves' disease): Kelp is extremely high in iodine; strict avoidance is required Those with qi deficiency and dryness, or yin deficiency with dry cough: Tangerine peel is warm and drying, which may worsen symptoms Those with internal excess heat or stomach fire: Should not overconsume Those with renal insufficiency: Should control kelp intake Those allergic to kelp, tangerine peel, or japonica rice Those taking medication: Tangerine peel may affect drug-metabolizing enzymes; consult a physician before consuming
