Papaya — Lo Fo Tong 老火湯

Papaya

木瓜

strengthens the spleeneases indigestionmoistens the lungs通乳（青木瓜上奶湯）含木瓜酵素助消化

The fruit of the papaya tree, used half-ripe for long-boiled soups (it holds its shape) and green for nursing-mother fish soups. Peeled, seeded and chunked, it lends a mellow fruity sweetness and a soft, almost custardy texture to pots with fish tail, peanuts or snow fungus.

TCM properties

Nature · neutral　Flavour · sweet　Meridians · spleen、stomach

Traditional food therapy

In Cantonese food therapy papaya is used to strengthen the spleen and ease food stagnation, and green-papaya fish soup is the traditional confinement pot taken by nursing mothers.

Cautions — read first

[SAFETY CRITICAL] Not for pregnant women. Papaya latex can bring on uterine contractions (green and unripe papaya especially)

Preparation

Half-ripe papaya stands up to long boiling better; use green papaya for milk-boosting soups (上奶湯). Peel, deseed and cut into pieces.

Origin

中國以海南、廣東、廣西栽培為主 — Australian retail is Queensland-grown red papaya (e.g. Kingfisher brand)

Availability in Australia

Common at Asian grocers · A$5.79–6.29 / each
whole papaya $5.79 (sale, was $9.19); Kingfisher red papaya $6.29

Pairs well with

Fish tail (grass or bighead carp)Peanut Black-eyed pea Pork shin (shank)Snow fungus Dried octopus Crucian carp Snakehead fish Red jujube date Dried fig

Soups that use this ingredient · 5

Papaya, peanut and black-eyed pea soup with chicken feetNot yet surveyed (we say so honestly)

木瓜花生眉豆雞腳湯

strengthens the spleenpostpartum nourishmentstrengthens sinews and bonesAll year

街市Papaya· 1百子櫃Peanut· 75 g百子櫃Black-eyed pea· 75 g街市Chicken feet· 8街市Pork bones (femur / blade)· 300 g百子櫃Red jujube date· 4

“The pot she makes when someone needs looking after.”

Soybean, papaya and snow fungus soup with pork bonesNot yet surveyed (we say so honestly)

黃豆木瓜雪耳豬骨湯

strengthens the spleenrelieves drynesseases the bowelsAll year

百子櫃Soybean· 75 g街市Papaya· 1百子櫃Snow fungus· 1街市Pork bones (femur / blade)· 600 g百子櫃Candied honey date· 2

“The pot she makes when someone needs looking after.”

Papaya and crucian carp soupA$18–21

木瓜鯽魚湯

strengthens the spleenpostpartum nourishmentpromotes water metabolismAll year

街市Papaya· 1街市Crucian carp· 1百子櫃Peanut· 40 g (1 tael)百子櫃Red jujube date· 4街市Fresh ginger· 3 slices

“The pot she makes when someone needs looking after.”

Double-boiled papaya with snow fungusA$2–4

木瓜燉雪耳 (冰糖雪耳燉木瓜)

nourishes yinmoistens the lungsnourishes the complexionSummerAutumn

街市Papaya· 200 g百子櫃Snow fungus· 100 g百子櫃Sweet apricot kernel· 5 g百子櫃Bitter apricot kernel· 5 g百子櫃Rock sugar· 65 g

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

Papaya and snow fungus soup with pork ribsA$18–21

木瓜雪耳排骨湯

moistens the lungsnourishes the complexioneases the bowelsAutumnAll year

街市Papaya· 1百子櫃Snow fungus· 1 whole piece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· 2街市Pork spare ribs· 600 g… +2

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