LOTUS SEED SWEET SOUP

LOTUS SEED SWEET SOUP

Warm, gentle, and naturally comforting, Lotus Seed Sweet Soup (often served as a Cantonese-style tong sui) is a beloved traditional Asian dessert enjoyed for centuries. It’s lightly sweet, soothing, and perfect as an after-meal treat or an evening dessert especially when you want something cozy but not heavy.

This version features NPG Dried Lotus Seeds, a pantry-friendly ingredient that cooks into a soft, creamy bite with a mild nutty flavor. The result is a simple, timeless sweet soup you can customize with aromatics like pandan and add-ins like red dates or goji berries.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

  • 1 cup NPG Dried Lotus Seeds

  • 6 cups water (plus more for soaking)

  • 1/3 to 1/2 cup rock sugar (adjust to taste)
    (or 1/4 to 1/3 cup granulated sugar)

  • 2–4 dried red dates (jujube), optional

  • 1 tablespoon goji berries, optional

  • 1–2 pandan leaves, optional (for aroma)

  • Pinch of salt (helps balance sweetness)

Optional add-ins:

  • Snow fungus (tremella), soaked and torn

  • Longan (dried or canned), for extra sweetness

  • Silken tofu cubes, for a soft, gentle texture

Directions

1) Rinse and soak

Rinse lotus seeds well. Soak in water for 2–4 hours (or overnight for best texture).
If your lotus seeds have a green bitter core, remove it by splitting the seed and pulling it out (optional, but recommended for a smoother taste).

2) Simmer until tender

Drain the lotus seeds. Add them to a pot with 6 cups water.
Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer for 45–60 minutes, or until lotus seeds are soft and creamy.

(If adding snow fungus, add it during the last 25–30 minutes of simmering.)

3) Add aromatics and sweeten

Add pandan leaves (if using), red dates, and a pinch of salt. Simmer for 10 minutes.
Add rock sugar and stir until dissolved. Simmer another 5 minutes.

4) Finish and serve

Add goji berries during the last 2 minutes so they stay plump.
Serve warm, or chill for a cold dessert-style sweet soup.

Serving Tip

For a beautiful presentation, ladle into small bowls and top with:

  • a few goji berries

  • thin slices of red dates

  • a light drizzle of syrup (if you prefer sweeter)

Storage

  • Refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 3 days.

  • Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of water to loosen the texture.

With NPG Dried Lotus Seeds, you can enjoy this traditional dessert anytime, whether you’re cooking for family or creating a quiet moment for yourself.

Try this sweet soup today and experience the classic, soothing comfort of lotus seeds in every spoonful.

Recipes