Watercress and Asian pear drink
A clear, naturally sweet Cantonese brew of watercress, Asian pear and candied dates that gently clears heat and dampness, with no added sugar.
- 1 hr 10 min
- Serves 3
- Simmer
- Easy
Why it suits you: Damp-Heat shows up as spots, a bitter taste and dark urine, and Minor Snow's dry air can tip it into dry heat. Watercress clears lung heat and drains damp through the urine, pear moistens, and a little tangerine peel protects the stomach — clearing but not chilling.
Method
Prep 10 min · Cook 60 min- 1Soak the watercress in water for 15 minutes, rinse it well stem by stem, trim the tough roots and cut into lengths.
- 2Wash and core the pears and cut into large chunks, skin on. Soak the tangerine peel until soft and scrape off the pith.
- 3Bring the water to the boil before adding everything, boil hard for 10 minutes, then simmer gently for 45 minutes.
- 4Strain and drink warm. Pour into a flask for the office and sip it through the afternoon.
Cautions
- Go easy if your digestion runs cold or you have loose stools — a cup or two a day is enough.
- Watercress grows in water: always soak and wash it well and cook it through — never eat it raw.
Chef's tips
- Add the watercress only once the water is boiling — starting it in cold water makes it taste bitter.
- Not sweet enough? Add one more candied date rather than any sugar.
The TCM view
Watercress is sweet, bland and cool; it clears lung heat, moistens dryness and promotes urination, carrying damp-heat out. Asian pear is sweet and cool, clears heat and creates fluids. Candied dates (sweet, warm) and tangerine peel (pungent, warm) temper their coolness and protect the stomach. It clears heat and damp without being cloying, and needs no added sugar.
