Longan and Red Date Porridge

Main Ingredients

• Dried longan pulp (arillus) 50g
• Red dates (jujubes) 30g
• Japonica rice (or glutinous rice) 100g
• Brown sugar to taste
• Shredded ginger 1 tsp
• Water Water

Steps

1. Longan: If using whole dried longan, shell and pit them, reserving the pulp. If using pitted longan, rinse directly. Red dates: Wash and remove the pits with scissors or a knife (date pits are drying in nature and removing them results in a purer flavor and safer consumption). For a stronger flavor, tear or cut the dates in half. Rice: Rinse. If using glutinous rice, soak in water for 30 minutes in advance for a creamier texture. Ginger (if using): Peel and julienne finely.

   

2. Add sufficient water to a clay pot or soup pot (rice-to-water ratio approximately 1:8 to 1:10) and bring to a boil. Add the rinsed rice to the boiling water. Stir with a spoon along the bottom of the pot to prevent sticking. Reduce to medium-low heat and simmer for about 20-30 minutes until the rice grains begin to bloom and the porridge starts to thicken.

   

3. When the porridge is half-cooked, add the prepared red dates and shredded ginger (if using). Continue simmering over medium-low heat for about 10-15 minutes.

   

4. When the rice is soft and the porridge is thick, add the longan last, along with brown sugar (or white sugar). Continue cooking for 5-6 minutes until the longan is fully softened and the sugar is completely dissolved.

   

5. Ladle into bowls and serve warm for the best flavor. Recommended twice daily – morning for qi, evening for calming the mind. One bowl per day is sufficient; avoid overconsumption.

   

TCM Notes

Longan (dried arillus) : Sweet in taste, warm in nature, acts on the Heart and Spleen meridians. Rich in glucose, sucrose, various vitamins (vitamin B₂, vitamin C), and iron. Known to tonify the heart and spleen, nourish blood, calm the mind, and benefit intelligence. Effective for palpitations, insomnia, forgetfulness, qi-blood deficiency, and fatigue caused by heart-spleen deficiency. Red dates (jujubes) : Sweet in taste, warm in nature, acts on the Spleen and Stomach meridians. Contains protein, fats, carbohydrates, organic acids, vitamin A, vitamin C, and various amino acids. Known to tonify the middle, supplement qi, nourish blood, calm the mind, and moderate herbal properties. Their vitamin C content is among the highest of all fruits, earning them the title "living vitamin pills". Japonica/Glutinous rice: Japonica rice tonifies the middle, strengthens the spleen and stomach; glutinous rice is warm in nature and enhances the warming tonic effect while making the porridge thicker. Both provide carbohydrates and energy. Together, they achieve the synergistic effects of nourishing blood, calming the mind, tonifying the heart and spleen, harmonizing the stomach, and supplementing qi and blood. One serving (approx. 300ml) provides about 150-200 kcal (depending on sugar content), rich in B vitamins, vitamin C, calcium, and iron.

Suitable for：Those with heart-spleen deficiency: Palpitations, forgetfulness, insomnia, poor appetite, loose stools Those with qi-blood deficiency: Pale or sallow complexion, fatigue, pale lips Those with anemia or malnutrition: Especially suitable for women with anemia before pregnancy Those with neurasthenia or memory decline Those recovering from illness or postpartum General population as a daily wellness porridge

Not suitable for：Those with dampness excess and abdominal distension: Longan and red dates are sticky and may aggravate dampness Those with food stagnation or parasites Those with phlegm-heat cough: Symptoms include cough with thick yellow phlegm and yellow greasy tongue coating Those with Yin deficiency and Fire excess: Symptoms include dry mouth, hot palms and soles, night sweats, sore throat Those with excess heat or prone to上火 (internal heat) : Longan is warm in nature; excessive consumption may worsen internal heat Those with dry stools or constipation Diabetic patients: Longan, red dates, and brown sugar are high in sugar – strictly control portion size Those with colds, fever, or inflammation (e.g., toothache): Should suspend consumption Pregnant women (especially in late pregnancy): Excessive consumption may aggravate fetal heat Those allergic to longan or red dates