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PANguin

Autumn · from 23 Sept

Autumn Equinox

秋分

Balance Yin and Yang, moisten dryness.

Next: Cold Dew on 8 Oct — 15 days

Tailor to a constitution

Old ginger & sweet potato tong sui
Autumn Equinox · Tea break · Yang Deficiency

Old ginger & sweet potato tong sui

A warming home-style sweet soup — gently fiery ginger and soft, sweet potato for a cold-handed afternoon.

  • 35 min
  • Serves 2
  • Simmer
  • Easy
WarmingWarms & dispels coldBuilds qi

Why it suits you: Yang Deficiency means feeling the cold, with cold hands and feet — air-conditioning and cooler Autumn Equinox evenings make it worse. Warming ginger and brown sugar with neutral sweet potato warm you through, instead of an iced drink.

Method

Prep 10 min · Cook 25 min
  1. 1Peel the sweet potato, cut into chunks and keep in water so it does not darken. Smash the ginger, skin on.
  2. 2Bring the water and ginger to the boil, then simmer for 10 minutes to draw out the ginger.
  3. 3Add the sweet potato and cook for 12–15 minutes until a chopstick slides in, then stir in the sugar until dissolved.
  4. 4Pour into a flask for the office and sip it warm in the afternoon.

Cautions

  • Watching your blood sugar? Halve the sugar or leave it out, and count the sweet potato as your carbohydrate.

Chef's tips

  • Yellow- or purple-fleshed sweet potatoes both work; purple gives a prettier colour.

The TCM view

Old ginger is pungent and warm and dispels cold; brown slab sugar is sweet and warm and comforts the middle; sweet potato is sweet and neutral and supports digestion. Pungent with sweet warms without drying — suited to low yang.

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Seasonal principle

Balance is key again. Dryness is at its peak. Moisten the Lungs and harmonize the Spleen and Stomach. Maintain emotional stability, as the fading light can trigger melancholy. Drink warm honey water in the morning to soothe the digestive tract and respiratory system.

In season now

In season around Autumn Equinox: Persimmon, Pear, Sesame, Honey, Chrysanthemum

Tap an ingredient for its nature, uses and nutrition.

Yang Deficiency

Feels the cold, with cold hands and feet

Enjoy: Fresh ginger · Lamb · Chinese chives · Walnuts and chestnuts · Longan

Go easy: Iced drinks · Cooling foods like watermelon and bitter melon · Too much green tea or herbal "cooling" tea

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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.