Chinese dessert soup is a delightful and versatile dish enjoyed by people of all ages. These soups are sweet, warm, and comforting, perfect for any season, but especially loved during colder months or festive celebrations. The main ingredients often include various beans, fruits, herbs, and grains, all simmered together in a rich, aromatic broth. The soups can be served warm or chilled, depending on the recipe and the desired outcome.
In this article, we will explore how to make Chinese dessert soup, starting with some common ingredients and basic steps, followed by several popular dessert soup recipes that you can easily try at home.
Introduction to Chinese Dessert Soup
Chinese dessert soups, known as “tang shui” in Mandarin, are an integral part of Chinese cuisine, often served as a sweet end to a meal or as a comforting snack. Unlike Western desserts, which are typically baked or fried, Chinese dessert soups are usually simmered. They combine natural ingredients such as beans, seeds, fruits, and sweeteners like rock sugar to create a deliciously soothing and healthy treat.
These dessert soups are not only delicious but are also believed to have various health benefits in traditional Chinese medicine. Many ingredients used in these soups are thought to nourish the body, improve digestion, and balance the body’s internal systems.
The versatility of Chinese dessert soups is immense, as they can be made with a wide variety of ingredients and tailored to different tastes. Whether you prefer something with a rich, sweet broth or a light, refreshing taste, there is a dessert soup for you.
Common Ingredients in Chinese Dessert Soup
1. Beans and Legumes
Beans are a common base in many Chinese dessert soups. They offer a naturally sweet flavor and are packed with nutrients like fiber and protein. The most commonly used beans include:
Mung beans : These tiny green beans are often used in Chinese desserts. They have a mild, sweet flavor and are thought to have cooling properties in traditional Chinese medicine.
Red beans : Also known as adzuki beans, these are often used in sweet soups. They are slightly sweeter than mung beans and have a rich, earthy flavor.
Lotus seeds : Lotus seeds are often added for texture and their delicate, nutty flavor. They are also considered a health-boosting ingredient in Chinese medicine.
2. Fruits and Dried Fruits
Fruits, both fresh and dried, are often included in Chinese dessert soups. They add natural sweetness and flavor to the dish.
Longan : A small, translucent fruit with a sweet and floral taste. Dried longan is commonly used in dessert soups.
Lychee : Lychees are sweet, juicy fruits with a floral flavor. They are often used in both fresh and canned form in dessert soups.
Dried dates : Dried red dates are widely used in Chinese cooking. They add natural sweetness and are believed to have health benefits, such as improving blood circulation.
3. Sweeteners
In Chinese dessert soups, the sweetness is often provided by natural sweeteners rather than refined sugar. The most common sweeteners include:
Rock sugar : A traditional Chinese sugar that comes in large, crystal-like chunks. It dissolves easily and adds a smooth sweetness to the soup.
Brown sugar : Brown sugar is commonly used in more robust-tasting soups. It adds a deeper, caramel-like sweetness.
Honey : Honey is sometimes added to enhance the flavor and sweetness, especially in fruit-based soups.
4. Herbs and Spices
Certain herbs and spices are also used to add complexity and balance the sweetness in Chinese dessert soups. These include:
Ginger : Fresh ginger adds warmth and spiciness, which helps to balance the sweetness in many dessert soups.
Goji berries : These small red berries are used for both their color and their health benefits. They are sweet, slightly tangy, and are believed to nourish the liver and kidneys.
5. Rice and Grains
Rice and grains are sometimes added to Chinese dessert soups to make them more filling and to provide a smooth, velvety texture. Popular grains include:
Glutinous rice : This sticky rice is often used in desserts due to its chewy texture. It can be added whole or made into rice balls.
Barley : Barley is a nutritious grain often added to dessert soups for its light, nutty flavor.
Basic Steps for Making Chinese Dessert Soup
Making Chinese dessert soup is typically a simple and straightforward process. Here are the basic steps to follow when preparing your own dessert soup:
1. Prepare the Ingredients
- Begin by sorting and rinsing your beans, grains, or seeds. Some ingredients, like mung beans or lotus seeds, may require soaking for several hours or overnight.
- If you’re using dried fruits like longan or dates, rinse them lightly to remove any dirt.
- If you’re using fresh fruits like lychees, peel and remove the seeds before adding them to the soup.
2. Boil the Base
- Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil. Add the beans, seeds, or grains that need to be cooked.
- Lower the heat and allow the ingredients to simmer until they are soft. This can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the type of ingredient used.
- Stir occasionally to prevent anything from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
3. Add Sweeteners and Flavorings
- Once the main ingredients are cooked, add your sweeteners. Typically, rock sugar is added, but brown sugar or honey can also be used depending on your preference.
- If you’re using ginger, goji berries, or other spices, add them to the pot and let them simmer for another 10–15 minutes.
- Taste the soup and adjust the sweetness as needed. If the soup is too thick, you can add more water to reach the desired consistency.
4. Add Fruits and Final Touches
- If you’re using dried fruits, add them in the final stages of cooking. Fresh fruits like lychees or longan should be added just before serving to preserve their texture and flavor.
- Let the soup simmer for a few more minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
5. Serve and Enjoy
- Chinese dessert soups can be served hot or chilled. If you prefer them chilled, allow the soup to cool and refrigerate it for a few hours.
- Serve the soup in bowls, and enjoy its soothing, sweet, and refreshing qualities.
Popular Chinese Dessert Soup Recipes
1. Mung Bean Soup
Mung bean soup is one of the most popular Chinese dessert soups. It is simple to make and has a light, refreshing taste. Mung beans are believed to have cooling properties, making this soup especially popular during hot summer months.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of mung beans
- 6 cups of water
- 1/2 cup of rock sugar
Instructions:
- Sort and rinse the mung beans, then soak them in water for at least 2 hours.
- Drain the beans and add them to a large pot with 6 cups of water.
- Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 30-45 minutes, or until the beans are soft.
- Add the rock sugar and continue simmering until dissolved.
- Let the soup cool before serving. It can be served warm or chilled.
2. Red Bean Soup
Red bean soup is another classic dessert soup. It has a richer, sweeter flavor compared to mung bean soup, and it’s often enjoyed during festive occasions.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of red beans (adzuki beans)
- 6 cups of water
- 1/2 cup of rock sugar
- 2-3 dried dates (optional)
Instructions:
- Sort and rinse the red beans, then soak them overnight.
- Drain the beans and add them to a pot with 6 cups of water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 1-1.5 hours, or until the beans are soft.
- Add the rock sugar and dried dates, and continue to simmer for another 15-20 minutes.
- Serve warm or chilled.
3. Lotus Seed and Longan Soup
This soup combines the delicate flavor of lotus seeds with the floral sweetness of longan, making it a soothing and nutritious dessert.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup of lotus seeds
- 1/2 cup of dried longan
- 6 cups of water
- 1/2 cup of rock sugar
Instructions:
- Soak the lotus seeds and longan in water for about 30 minutes.
- Add the lotus seeds and longan to a pot with 6 cups of water.
- Bring to a boil, then simmer for about 45 minutes to an hour, or until the lotus seeds are tender.
- Add the rock sugar and continue simmering until it dissolves.
- Serve warm or chilled.
4. Glutinous Rice Ball Soup
Glutinous rice balls, known as “tang yuan,” are a popular dessert often eaten during Chinese New Year or Lantern Festival. These chewy rice balls are filled with sweet fillings like black sesame or red bean paste.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of glutinous rice flour
- 1/4 cup of water
- 1/4 cup of black sesame paste or red bean paste
Instructions:
- Mix the glutinous rice flour and water to form a smooth dough.
- Roll the dough into small balls and stuff them with black sesame paste or red bean paste.
- Bring a pot of water to a boil and add the rice balls.
- Once the rice balls float to the surface, continue to boil for another 2-3 minutes.
- Serve the rice balls in a sweet soup made with rock sugar and water.
Conclusion
Making Chinese dessert soup at home is simple, and it allows you to enjoy a traditional and healthy treat that has been cherished for centuries. By using common ingredients like beans, grains, fruits, and sweeteners, you can create a variety of delicious dessert soups that suit your personal taste and preferences. Whether you enjoy the light, refreshing taste of mung bean soup or the rich sweetness of red bean soup, these desserts offer something for everyone. Enjoy experimenting with different ingredients and find the perfect dessert soup to share with your loved ones!
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