Apple — Lo Fo Tong 老火湯

Apple

蘋果

moistens the lungswhets the appetiteeases indigestion生津除煩

The familiar dessert apple, cored, seeded and cut into chunks with the skin left on. In fruity pork-shin pots with snow pear or fig it stews soft, lending gentle acidity and fragrance that keep the sweetness fresh rather than cloying.

TCM properties

Nature · neutral　Flavour · sweet、sour　Meridians · spleen、lung

Traditional food therapy

In Cantonese food therapy apple is used to moisten the lungs, open the appetite and generate fluids to settle restlessness — a gentle fruit for autumn pots.

Cautions — read first

People with diabetes should note the fruit sugar it puts into the soup

Preparation

Core it and take the pips out, then cut into pieces with the skin on.

Origin

中國以山東煙台富士著名；澳洲貨為本地果園出產 — Australian retail is locally grown (Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Royal Gala)

Availability in Australia

Common at Asian grocers · A$1.17–1.62 / each
Granny Smith small $1.17 to Royal Gala premium $1.62; Pink Lady small $1.40; organic Royal Gala $7.69/kg

Pairs well with

Asian pear / snow pear Dried fig Lean pork Corn / maize (with corn silk)Carrot Dragon's tongue leaf Pork shin (shank)Candied honey date Sea coconut slices

Soups that use this ingredient · 3

Glehnia root, Solomon's seal, pear and snow fungus soup with pork ribsA$18–21

沙參玉竹雪梨雪耳排骨湯

nourishes yinmoistens the lungsrelieves drynessAutumnSpring

百子櫃Glehnia root· 40 g (1 tael)百子櫃Solomon's seal rhizome· 40 g (1 tael)街市Asian pear / snow pear· 2街市Apple· 1百子櫃Snow fungus· 20 g (5 mace)百子櫃Sweet apricot kernel· 20 g (5 mace)… +2

“The pot Ah Ma keeps for her night owls.”

Apple, pear and fig soup with lean porkA$13–17

蘋果雪梨無花果瘦肉湯

moistens the lungsrelieves drynesssoothes coughAutumnAll year

街市Apple· 2街市Asian pear / snow pear· 2百子櫃Dried fig· 4百子櫃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… +1

“The pot Ah Ma keeps for her night owls.”

Double-boiled lean pork with apple and Chinese pearA$12–17

蘋果雪梨燉瘦肉

moistens the lungssoothes coughrelieves dryness3h slow fireAutumnAll year

街市Apple· 2街市Asian pear / snow pear· 2百子櫃Sweet apricot kernel· 20 g百子櫃Bitter apricot kernel· 8 g百子櫃Dried fig· 3街市Lean pork· 300 g… +1

“The pot Ah Ma keeps for her night owls.”