Apple and watercress drink
Watercress, apple, candied dates and tangerine peel added to boiling water and simmered into a sweet, moistening drink for dry throats and breakouts in winter.
- 1 hr 10 min
- Serves 4
- Simmer
- Easy
Why it suits you: Damp-heat types can still get a dry mouth, sore throat and spots at Minor Cold from the dry air and rich food. Watercress clears dryness and moistens the lungs, apple generates fluids, and tangerine peel with candied dates tempers the coolness so it soothes without upsetting the stomach.
Method
Prep 10 min · Cook 60 min- 1Soak and wash the watercress well and cut into lengths. Core the apples and cut into chunks, leaving the skin on.
- 2Bring the water to the boil, add the apple, candied dates and tangerine peel and simmer for 20 minutes.
- 3Add the watercress and simmer for 40 minutes more. Strain and drink warm.
Cautions
- Watercress is cold — drink less with a cold, weak stomach, loose stools or during periods.
Chef's tips
- Always add watercress to water that is already boiling, or the drink turns bitter.
The TCM view
Watercress is sweet, slightly bitter and cold, clearing dryness, moistening the lungs and resolving phlegm; apple is sweet and cool, generating fluids and moistening the lungs; candied dates moisten the lungs; tangerine peel is pungent and warm, moving qi and drying damp to balance the cold. Together they clear heat and moisten dryness.
