老火湯LO FO TONG

百子櫃THE HUNDRED DRAWERS

Aged dried tangerine peel

陳皮

strengthens the spleenresolves phlegmdispels dampnesseases indigestion理氣健脾燥濕化痰老火湯加一角去膩提香

Sun-dried mandarin peel aged for years until dark, leathery and intensely aromatic, sold as three-lobed pieces graded by age. Soaked and scraped of its bitter pith, a single corner lifts grease, deepens aroma and adds citrus warmth to soups, congees and braises.

TCM properties

Nature · warming　Flavour · pungent、bitter　Meridians · spleen、lung

Traditional food therapy

The indispensable Cantonese corner: tradition credits aged peel with moving qi, strengthening the spleen, drying damp and easing phlegm and a heavy, greasy pot.

Cautions — read first

Not in quantity for a dry cough from yin deficiency, or where heat is full
If you are qi deficient, note that heavy long-term use can drain the qi

Preparation

Soak it soft, then scrape off the white pith inside so it is not bitter or harsh. The older the peel, the mellower and more fragrant it is.

Origin · Geo-authentic (道地) source

廣東江門新會 — AU grocers sell new Xinhui peel cheaply; aged collector-grade peel is also retailed in AU but is not the cooking grade

Availability in Australia

Common at Asian grocers · A$4.83–452 / 100g
new Xinhui peel: Henghui 35g $1.69 ($4.83/100g); aged collector tier: Fortune Vintage 60-Year 50g $226 / 150g $680 ($452/100g) — price is entirely age/grade-driven

Pairs well with

Lotus root Dried octopus Green radish Crucian carp Tendrilleaf fritillary bulb

Soups that use this ingredient · 24

Yellowcress (marsh cress) and snakehead fish soupNot yet surveyed (we say so honestly)

塘葛菜生魚湯

clears heatdispels dampnessmoistens the lungsSpringSummerAll year

百子櫃Yellowcress / marsh cress· 300 g百子櫃Snakehead fish· 1, about 600 g (1 catty)街市Lean pork· 300 g百子櫃Candied honey date· 2百子櫃Aged dried tangerine peel· 1 piece街市Fresh ginger· 3 slices

“Heaty? Then this is the pot.”

Dried bok choy soup with apricot kernels and pork bonesNot yet surveyed (we say so honestly)

白菜乾南北杏蜜棗豬骨湯(菜乾湯)

moistens the lungsrelieves drynesscools internal fireAutumnWinter

街市Dried bok choy / white cabbage· 75 g (2 taels)百子櫃Sweet apricot kernel· 40 g (1 tael) of 南杏 sweet and 北杏 bitter apricot kernels combined百子櫃Bitter apricot kernel· 40 g (1 tael) of 南杏 sweet and 北杏 bitter apricot kernels combined百子櫃Candied honey date· 3街市Pork bones (femur / blade)· 600 g (1 catty)百子櫃Aged dried tangerine peel· 1 piece… +2

“Heaty? Then this is the pot.”

Bitter melon and soybean soup with pork ribsNot yet surveyed (we say so honestly)

苦瓜黃豆排骨湯

clears heatcools internal firebrightens the eyesSummer

街市Bitter melon· 2, about 600 g (1 catty)百子櫃Soybean· 75 g街市Pork spare ribs· 600 g (1 catty)百子櫃Candied honey date· 2百子櫃Aged dried tangerine peel· 1 piece街市Fresh ginger· 2 slices

“Heaty? Then this is the pot.”

Watercress and dried duck gizzard soup with pork bonesNot yet surveyed (we say so honestly)

西洋菜陳腎煲豬骨

clears heatcools internal firemoistens the lungsAutumnWinter

街市Watercress· 600 g (1 catty)百子櫃Dried cured duck gizzard· 2 to 3百子櫃Sweet apricot kernel· 40 g (1 tael) of 南杏 and 北杏 combined百子櫃Bitter apricot kernel· 40 g (1 tael) of 南杏 and 北杏 combined百子櫃Candied honey date· 2 to 3街市Pork bones (femur / blade)· 600 g (1 catty)… +1

“Heaty? Then this is the pot.”

Abrus (canton love-pea vine) soup with pork pancreasNot yet surveyed (we say so honestly)

雞骨草豬橫脷湯

soothes the liverdispels dampnesscools internal fireSpringAll year

百子櫃Canton love-pea vine· 75 g百子櫃Pork pancreas· 1百子櫃Rice bean· 40 g (1 tael)百子櫃Candied honey date· 3街市Lean pork· 300 g百子櫃Aged dried tangerine peel· 1 piece… +1

“Heaty? Then this is the pot.”

Night-blooming cereus (dragon fruit flower) soup with apricot kernels and pork bonesNot yet surveyed (we say so honestly)

霸王花南北杏蜜棗豬骨湯

clears heatmoistens the lungssoothes coughAutumnSummer

百子櫃Night-blooming cereus (dried)· 75 g, dried百子櫃Sweet apricot kernel· 40 g (1 tael) of 南杏 and 北杏 combined百子櫃Bitter apricot kernel· 40 g (1 tael) of 南杏 and 北杏 combined百子櫃Dried fig· 3百子櫃Candied honey date· 3街市Pork bones (femur / blade)· 600 g (1 catty)… +1

“Heaty? Then this is the pot.”