Water chestnut, carrot and red date drink
A gentle, naturally sweet brew of three simple ingredients — no common allergens, no added sugar, just soothing moisture for dry, chilly days.
- 55 min
- Serves 3
- Simmer
- Easy
Why it suits you: Sensitive constitutions often flare up as the air turns cold and dry — a runny nose, itchy skin. This uses just three mild, low-allergen ingredients: carrot supports digestion, red dates build qi and water chestnut moistens, so it soothes without chilling.
Method
Prep 10 min · Cook 45 min- 1Scrub the water chestnuts, peel and halve them. Peel the carrot and cut it into thick slices. Pit the red dates.
- 2Bring the water to the boil, add everything, boil hard for 10 minutes, then simmer gently for 35 minutes.
- 3No sugar needed — the dates and carrot sweeten it. Drink the liquid and eat the pieces too.
- 4Pour into a flask for the office and sip it warm in the afternoon.
Cautions
- Water chestnuts grow in muddy paddies — always scrub, peel and cook them through; never eat them raw.
Chef's tips
- Choose firm water chestnuts with dark purple-brown skins; a vegetable peeler makes peeling quicker.
- Keeps 2 days in the fridge — reheat before drinking rather than drinking it cold.
The TCM view
Carrot is sweet and neutral; it strengthens digestion and nourishes the liver and eyes. Red dates are sweet and warm and build qi and blood. Water chestnut is sweet and cold; it clears heat, creates fluids and eases dryness. The warm dates balance the cold water chestnut, leaving a sweet, neutral, moistening drink — simple and gentle for sensitive bodies.
