The Coziest Chestnut & Red Bean Dessert Soup for Blood Nourishment & Glowing Skin

Hey wellness babes! 🌰 If you’re craving a dessert that’s equal parts decadent and healing, let me rave about my latest obsession: Chestnut & Red Bean Soup (板栗红豆沙). This silky, sweet, and earthy TCM-inspired treat is like a warm hug for your blood, lungs, and soul. Perfect for chilly evenings, post-period recovery, or those days when you need a gentle reset for your body. Let’s unpack why this soup is a must-try for every wellness warrior!

Why This Soup is a TCM Powerhouse

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this recipe is a golden trio for nourishing blood, strengthening the spleen, and moisturizing the lungs. Red beans (红豆) are iron-rich warriors, chestnuts (板栗) boost kidney energy, and dried lily bulbs (百合) calm the mind. Add citrusy dried tangerine peel (陈皮) for digestion, and you’ve got a dessert that:

Combat anemia: Red beans’ iron + vitamin B12 (from chestnuts) = fatigue-fighting magic.
Soothes dry coughs: Lily bulbs moisturize lungs—ideal for seasonal dryness or post-COVID recovery.
Aids digestion: Tangerine peel kickstarts sluggish digestion and reduces bloating.
Glows up skin: Blood-nourishing ingredients = fewer breakouts and a natural radiance.

Plus, it’s vegan, gluten-free, and free of refined sugar (rock sugar is a TCM-approved sweetener!). 🙌

Key Ingredients & Their Superpowers

Let’s geek out on these TCM rockstars:

Red Beans (红豆): Packed with iron, fiber, and folate to combat anemia and support hormonal balance. Perfect for menstruating queens!
Chestnuts (板栗): Rich in vitamin C and potassium—strengthens kidneys (TCM’s “root of life”) and boosts energy.
Dried Lily Bulbs (百合): A lung-loving herb that calens anxiety and soothes dry throats. Nature’s cough syrup!
Dried Tangerine Peel (陈皮): Aged citrus peel that revs up digestion and cuts through phlegm.
Rock Sugar (冰糖): Gentle sweetness that won’t spike blood sugar, plus it cools internal heat.

Who Needs This Soup in Their Life?

Anemia Warriors: If you’re pale, dizzy, or always tired, this soup’s iron-rich combo is your lifeline.
Dry Cough Crew: Lily bulbs + rock sugar = instant relief for scratchy throats.
Stress Queens: Chestnuts’ B vitamins + lily bulbs’ calming vibes = natural anxiety relief.
Spleen Weakness Squad (bloating, poor appetite): Tangerine peel and red beans team up to heal your gut.
Skin Seekers: Clear complexion starts with healthy blood—this soup delivers!

How Often Should You Eat It?

For noticeable benefits (energy boost, smoother digestion, glowing skin), enjoy this soup 2-3 times weekly. It’s light enough for dessert but nourishing enough as a snack!

Let’s Cook! (Step-by-Step)

Prep Time: 10 mins (+ overnight soaking) | Cook Time: 1.5 hours

Ingredients (Serves 3-4):

1 cup red beans (红豆), soaked overnight
½ cup dried chestnuts (板栗), pre-boiled or canned (unsalted)
15g dried lily bulbs (百合), rinsed
1-2 pieces dried tangerine peel (陈皮), soaked 10 mins
50g rock sugar (冰糖) (adjust to taste)
6 cups water

Instructions:
1️⃣ Soak & Prep: Soak red beans overnight (discard water afterward). Soak tangerine peel until soft, then scrape off bitter inner pith.
2️⃣ Simmer Beans: In a pot, add beans + 6 cups water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 1 hour until beans burst and turn creamy.
3️⃣ Add Goodies: Stir in chestnuts, lily bulbs, and tangerine peel. Simmer another 30 mins on low heat.
4️⃣ Sweeten: Add rock sugar and stir until dissolved. Taste and adjust sweetness!
5️⃣ Serve: Enjoy warm or chilled! Top with coconut milk or toasted sesame seeds for extra flair.

Pro Tips:

Texture Hack: Blend half the soup for a silky-smooth finish, or keep it chunky.
Meal Prep: Freeze portions for up to a month—reheat with a splash of plant milk!

Why This Soup > Your Average Dessert

Forget sugar-loaded cakes! This soup is a nutrient-dense indulgence. Red beans stabilize blood sugar, chestnuts provide sustained energy, and lily bulbs hydrate from within. It’s like a multivitamin and spa treatment in one bowl—guilt-free and deeply satisfying.

Final Thoughts

I’ve been making this soup every lunar cycle (hello, period cravings!) and it’s a game-changer. The first spoonful feels like liquid gold—earthy, subtly sweet, and deeply comforting. My tip? Pair it with a cup of chrysanthemum tea for ultimate TCM vibes. Your body (and taste buds) will sing!

Stay radiant, goddesses!