Longan, Suanzaoren and Black Bean Soymilk

Main Ingredients

• Black beans 60g
• Suanzaoren (Spiny Date Seed) 30g
• Dried longan pulp (arillus) 25g
• Water 600ml
• Rock sugar, brown sugar, or honey to taste

Steps

1. Black beans: Rinse thoroughly and soak in water for 10-12 hours (or overnight) until fully swollen and plump. Adequate soaking is key to a smooth texture. Suanzaoren: Stir-fry the Suanzaoren in a dry pan over low heat until slightly yellow and fragrant. Remove, let cool, and grind into a fine powder. Pre-roasted Suanzaoren powder is also available. Longan: Shell and pit the dried longan, reserving the pulp. If using whole longan, soak in warm water for 20 minutes to soften the shell.

   

2. Place the soaked black beans, Suanzaoren powder, and longan pulp into a soymilk maker or blender. Add 500-600ml of water（adjust according to your machine's capacity and desired consistency). Start the machine and select the “Soymilk” or “Multigrain” mode.

   

3. For a smoother texture, strain through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth. Skipping this step retains more dietary fiber. Add rock sugar, brown sugar, or honey (after cooling slightly) to taste.

   

4. Best consumed warm, 1-2 hours before bedtime. One cup daily is sufficient; avoid overconsumption.

   

TCM Notes

Black beans: Sweet in taste, neutral in nature, acts on the Spleen and Kidney meridians. Rich in high-quality plant protein, anthocyanins, soy isoflavones, and trace elements. Known to tonify the kidneys, strengthen the spleen, promote blood circulation, and benefit hair and eyes. Helps alleviate kidney deficiency-related symptoms such as sore lower back and fatigue. Suanzaoren (Spiny Date Seed) : Sweet and sour in taste, neutral in nature, acts on the Liver, Gallbladder, and Heart meridians. Rich in jujuboside, flavonoids, and other active components. Known to nourish the heart, calm the mind, stop sweating, and promote fluid production. A key herb in TCM for treating insomnia, neurasthenia, and palpitations. Modern research shows it has sedative, hypnotic, and anti-anxiety effects. Longan (dried arillus) : Sweet in taste, warm in nature, acts on the Heart and Spleen meridians. Rich in glucose, sucrose, and various vitamins. Known to tonify the heart and spleen, nourish blood, calm the mind, and warm the body, especially suitable for forgetfulness and insomnia caused by qi-blood deficiency. Synergistic effect: Together, black beans tonify the kidneys, Suanzaoren calms the heart, and longan nourishes blood to promote sleep – achieving the combined effects of kidney tonification, heart nourishment, and mind calming. This trio works synergistically to improve insomnia caused by kidney deficiency, qi-blood deficiency, and liver-spleen disharmony.

Suitable for：Those with insomnia, excessive dreaming, and poor sleep quality Those with qi-blood deficiency, pale complexion, palpitations, and forgetfulness Those with neurasthenia, nervous tension, and high stress Those with kidney deficiency, sore lower back, and premature graying of hair Mental workers and those with brain fatigue General population as a daily wellness beverage

Not suitable for：Those with excess heat, Yin deficiency, and Fire excess: Longan is warm in nature; those with heaty constitution, prone to上火 (excessive internal heat), dry mouth, bitter taste, or sore throat should avoid overconsumption Those with Spleen-Stomach deficiency cold, poor digestion, or prone to diarrhea: Black beans and Suanzaoren are high in fiber and may burden the digestive system Those with dampness excess and profuse phlegm: Longan is sticky and may aggravate dampness Diabetic patients: Longan is high in sugar – strictly control portion size During colds or fever: Should suspend consumption Pregnant and breastfeeding women: Consult a doctor before consumption Those allergic to any of the ingredients