Refreshing Recipe: Red Bean and Lotus Seed Sweet Soup for Summer

Red bean and lotus seed sweet soup is a popular summer refreshment loved by many. With simple ingredients and easy steps, let's dive into making this delightful treat!

1. Refreshing Recipe: Red Bean and Lotus Seed Sweet Soup for Summer

Red bean and lotus seed sweet soup is a popular summer refreshment loved by many. With simple ingredients and easy steps, let's dive into making this delightful treat!

1. Ingredients for Red Bean and Lotus Seed Sweet Soup
- 150g dried or fresh lotus seeds
- 100g red beans (opt for larger, plump beans for a richer flavor)
- 2 tablespoons arrowroot starch (substitute with cornstarch if arrowroot starch is unavailable)
- White cane sugar, coconut milk

2. Cách nấu chè đậu đỏ hạt sen giải nhiệt mùa hè

Bước 1: Sơ chế nguyên liệu
- Bạn tiến hành rửa sạch đậu đỏ và hạt sen. Sau đó ngâm riêng 2 loại vào nước lạnh trong khoảng 6 - 8 tiếng cho đậu và hạt sen được mềm thì vớt ra để ráo.
- Bạn có thể ngâm nguyên liệu vào đêm hôm trước để ngày hôm sau chế biến sẽ tiết kiệm thời gian rất nhiểu.
- Nếu là hạt sen tươi bạn không cần ngâm mà chỉ cần lấy tâm sen cho chè không bị đắng là có thể dùng để nấu chè luôn.

Step 2: Next, simmer the lotus seeds in a pot for about 10 minutes, then add the red beans and continue simmering for another 20 minutes. Add sugar according to your preference (whether you prefer it less sweet, moderately sweet, or very sweet), then simmer for an additional 10 minutes until the red beans and lotus seeds are soft and split.

Step 3: Continuing with the method of making red bean and lotus seed sweet soup, add 2 tablespoons of dissolved arrowroot starch and 2 tablespoons of water into the pot, stirring quickly until the arrowroot starch is cooked, thickened, and glossy.
- At this point, you have completed making red bean and lotus seed sweet soup. Turn off the heat and ladle the soup into bowls for serving.
- This red bean and lotus seed sweet soup is best enjoyed warm, where you'll experience the light fragrance blending with the rich flavor of red beans, the smoothness of arrowroot starch, and the refreshing sweetness of lotus seeds. You can also add coconut milk for extra flavor.

3. Tips for Choosing Ingredients for Making Sweet Soup
How to Choose Fresh Lotus Seeds
- It's best to buy freshly harvested lotus seeds while they are still attached to the lotus pod. This way, you can select high-quality, fresh lotus seeds.
- Older lotus seeds are better for making red bean and lotus seed sweet soup. You can identify them by their ivory or deep yellow color and plump, round shape. These lotus seeds are aromatic and delicious without any bitterness. When cooked, they emit a distinctive fragrance.
- To keep lotus seeds fresh, choose ones that are still encased in their pods. After purchasing, sun-dry them and store in a jar to prolong their freshness.
- Lotus seeds with the embryo intact can be used for cooking delicious dishes, while the embryo-free seeds are great for making health-boosting lotus seed tea. Lotus seed tea is known for its cooling, calming, and blood pressure-lowering effects.

How to Choose Dry Lotus Seeds
- Opt for dry lotus seeds that are opaque white, small, and uniform in size. Typically, dry lotus seeds do not contain embryos.
- For ready-to-use dry lotus seeds, choose those that are hand-processed and can be easily peeled by hand. These varieties do not contain preservatives, so their original flavor remains intact. When used in cooking, they retain the fragrant essence of lotus in dishes.
- Dry lotus seeds used for making delicious red bean and lotus seed sweet soup should preferably be sourced from reputable origins, often from provinces in northern Vietnam such as Hung Yen, Ha Tay, Ha Nam, as well as from western regions like Dong Thap and central regions like Hue.

How to Choose Red Beans

- Choose medium-sized beans; avoid large beans as they may not taste as good as you expect. Remember to select fresh beans and avoid older ones.
- The beans should be vibrant red, free from pests, damage, and unpleasant odors; these are the most suitable beans for cooking a delicious pot of sweet soup.

4. What Are the Health Benefits of Red Bean and Lotus Seed Sweet Soup?
- According to traditional Chinese medicine, red beans are considered excellent medicinal ingredients. They have warming properties, a sweet taste, and are known for their heat-clearing and diuretic effects.
- Red bean and lotus seed sweet soup contains vitamin B12, which helps in blood nourishment and promotes smooth blood circulation.
- Red beans aid in weight loss, promote digestion and kidney health. Additionally, they help protect the cardiovascular system and stabilize blood pressure.

- Arrowroot in red bean and lotus seed sweet soup is a common ingredient in many Vietnamese households. It has neutral, sweet, cooling properties, aids in detoxification, and supports liver health, making it an ideal remedy for heat-induced fevers.
- Meanwhile, lotus seeds help regulate cholesterol levels, aid in treating insomnia, reduce blood sugar levels, have anti-inflammatory properties, regulate menstruation, etc.
With the multitude of health benefits mentioned above, red bean and lotus seed sweet soup is a nutritious dish you should add to your daily family menu.
With the guidance on how to make red bean and lotus seed sweet soup provided above, we wish you success in preparing and enjoying delicious meals with your family and friends.