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PANguin

Winter · from 22 Dec

Winter Solstice

冬至

Nourish the returning Yang.

Next: Minor Cold on 5 Jan — 14 days

Tailor to a constitution

Purple sweet potato soup with longan
Winter Solstice · Tea break · Qi Deficiency

Purple sweet potato soup with longan

Purple sweet potato cooked until floury, with plump longan in a lightly sweet soup — warming and easy on a tired stomach.

  • 35 min
  • Serves 2
  • Simmer
  • Easy
WarmingSupports the spleenWarms the stomach

Why it suits you: Qi-deficient types tire easily and lose their appetite in winter. Sweet potato supports the spleen and longan builds qi and blood, so this warm, easy soup makes a fitting solstice snack.

Method

Prep 10 min · Cook 25 min
  1. 1Peel and chunk the sweet potato. Rinse the longan.
  2. 2Boil the sweet potato with the ginger and water over medium heat for 15 minutes, until soft.
  3. 3Add the longan and sugar and simmer for 5 minutes until the sugar dissolves.
  4. 4Turn off the heat and eat it warm.

Cautions

  • Keep it lightly sweet, and use less sugar if you like.

Chef's tips

  • Cut the sweet potato into large chunks so it does not fall apart.

The TCM view

Purple sweet potato is sweet and neutral, strengthening the spleen; longan is sweet and warm, supporting qi and blood; ginger warms the stomach. Sweet and warming, it suits qi-deficient types at the Winter Solstice.

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Seasonal principle

The longest night. Yang energy begins to return. Eat warming, celebratory foods to welcome the light. Protect your lower back and knees from the cold. This is a crucial time to rest and conserve energy, allowing the newly born Yang Qi to grow strong.

In season now

In season around Winter Solstice: Glutinous Rice, Mutton, Radish, Chicken, Ginseng

Tap an ingredient for its nature, uses and nutrition.

Qi Deficiency

Low energy, tires easily and catches colds

Enjoy: Chinese yam · Millet and pumpkin · Red dates · Chicken and beef · Shiitake and soybeans

Go easy: Raw, cold food and iced drinks · Crash dieting · Greasy, heavy meals

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Based on traditional Chinese medicine for general wellness education — not a medical diagnosis or treatment. If symptoms persist, are severe or unusual, please see a doctor or registered Chinese medicine practitioner.