Desserts
Chinese Yam and White Hyacinth Bean Paste
Chinese Yam and White Hyacinth Bean Paste is a classic Chinese spleen-strengthening and stomach-nourishing paste, made with Chinese yam and white hyacinth beans as the main ingredients, combined with rice or glutinous rice, ground and cooked to perfection. Chinese yam is neutral in nature, sweet in taste, and channels to the Spleen, Lung, and Kidney meridians. It is known for strengthening the spleen and nourishing the stomach, promoting salivation and moistening the lungs, and consolidating kidney essence. White hyacinth beans are slightly warm in nature, sweet in taste, and channel to the Spleen and Stomach meridians. They are known for strengthening the spleen, draining dampness, and relieving summer heat and detoxifying. Together, Chinese yam strengthens the spleen and benefits the kidneys, while white hyacinth beans drain dampness and harmonize the middle, achieving the combined effects of strengthening the spleen, draining dampness, benefiting qi, and nourishing the stomach. The paste is thick, smooth, and has a delicate aroma. This paste is especially suitable for daily nourishment of those with spleen-stomach weakness, poor digestion, loss of appetite, fatigue, and loose stools.
Main Ingredients
- Chinese yam (fresh) 100g
- hite hyacinth beans (dried) 50g
- Rice (or glutinous rice/millet) 50g
- Rock sugar (or brown sugar) To taste
- Water 1000ml
Steps
Rinse the white hyacinth beans and soak in plenty of water for 4-6 hours (or overnight in the refrigerator) until fully swollen with no hard core. White hyacinth beans are hard and require thorough soaking to soften properly.
Chinese yam: Wear gloves, peel, and cut into approximately 1 cm cubes. Soak in lightly salted water to prevent oxidation. Rice (or glutinous rice/millet): Rinse and soak for 30 minutes in advance. Red dates (if using): Rinse and remove pits.
Place the soaked white hyacinth beans, Chinese yam cubes, rice, and red dates (if using) into a blender or soy milk maker. Add enough water (approx. 800-1000ml).
Soy milk maker: Select the "rice paste" function and start. Blender: Select the "rice paste" or "nutritious paste" mode and start. After the program finishes, add rock sugar to taste, stir well, and serve.
TCM Notes
Modern Nutrition Research: Spleen and stomach health: Mucilage protein in yam protects the gastric mucosa; white hyacinth beans are rich in dietary fiber that gently promotes intestinal motility without irritation. Together, they effectively improve poor digestion and loss of appetite caused by spleen-stomach weakness. Dampness-draining and diarrhea relief: White hyacinth beans strengthen the spleen and drain dampness, improving loose stools and diarrhea due to spleen deficiency with dampness. Yam tonifies the spleen and has astringent properties, enhancing the anti-diarrheal effect. Qi and yin nourishment: Yam benefits qi and nourishes yin, helping with fatigue and dry mouth caused by qi-yin deficiency. Immunity enhancement: Yam polysaccharides and white hyacinth bean protein work synergistically to enhance immune function. Blood sugar support: Diosgenin in yam has insulin-like effects that help stabilize blood sugar (though portion control is still needed).
Suitable for：Those with spleen-stomach weakness (poor appetite, indigestion, post-meal bloating) Those with spleen deficiency and dampness (loose stools, thick greasy tongue coating, heavy body feeling) Those with fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath Those with chronic diarrhea and loose stools Those recovering from illness or post-surgery Middle-aged and older adults (daily spleen-stomach nourishment and anti-aging) Children (appetite stimulation and growth support) Generally suitable for most people as a daily wellness paste in moderation
Not suitable for：Those with food stagnation, bloating, and sour burps — both yam and white hyacinth beans have tonifying and astringent properties; avoid during acute food stagnation Those with constipation — yam has astringent properties and white hyacinth beans stop diarrhea, which may worsen constipation Those with mixed cold-heat or deficiency-excess patterns — consume under medical guidance Those allergic to Chinese yam or white hyacinth beans Infants under 6 months old — digestive system not fully developed — not recommended
