(Confinement) Black Bean, Rice and Ginger Water

(Confinement) Black Bean, Rice and Ginger Water

(Confinement) Black Bean, Rice and Ginger Water

Soup Name:

(Confinement) Black Bean, Rice and Ginger Water – sometimes called Teas

Traditional Chinese Name:

黑豆姜水 (Hēi dòu jiāng shuǐ)

This tea is very warming in nature and slightly sweet to taste.

 

For videos, visit us on YouTube.

This is a traditional confinement drink that is said to help reduce “wind” in the body and “warm” it up to help with the healing process after giving birth. These are common ingredients found in various confinement soups, teas and recipes (especially ginger). Some people make a large batch of the black bean and ginger mixture and steep it like teas for drinking everyday throughout their confinement.

For more information on what confinement is and the Chinese ingredients associated with confinement, please see our Confinement Soups page.

Ginger is to drive away the wind from the body and heal and warm.  I prefer to use ginger juice, but some will also use ginger flesh and the skin.  This is a key ingredient to this tea.  You can add as little or as much ginger as you like depending on how spicy you’d like it.

Black beans help dispel water from the body, but also activates blood circulation and detoxification.  They are naturally sweet and when pan fried, are warmed and compliment the heaty tea needed for confinement.

Rice in Traditional Chinese Medicine is used to strengthen the qi and blood.  Interestingly enough, the word qi (in Traditional Chinese) is derived from the words air and rice.  Rice holds significant meaning in this regard and is used as one of the key recipes for this tea!

You can optionally add some rock sugar for taste.

 

 

What’s involved?

Prep time: 10 mins

Cook time: 30 mins

Total time: 40 mins

Serves: 4 cups of tea

Ingredients
  • 1 teaspoon of oil

  • 2 tablespoons of ginger juice, pulp optional

  • 1 cup of black beans, rinsed

  • 1 cup of white rice, rinsed

  • 1/2 cup of water, to cook rice

  • optional rock sugar
Cooking Instructions
  1. In a frying pan, heat up oil on medium heat.
  2. When oil is hot, add black beans, white rice and ginger juice and cook for 2 minutes, constantly stirring
  3. Add 1/2 cup of water and continue to stir and mixture until all the water evaporates.  Be sure to adjust the heat accordingly to prevent burning.
  4. Once mixture is dry and golden brown (see picture below) and cooked, set aside and cool.
  5. In a cup, scoop 1 tablespoon of mixture and add hot water to it.  Steep for 10 minutes and drink hot.
Any benefits?
  • Effective drink in removing “wind” from the body
  • Helps warm the body
  • Assists in helping those in confinement get lots of fluid into the body and to help flush the system
  • Also helps to improve water levels in the body (especially for those mothers who are breastfeeding)

For videos, visit us on YouTube.

A selection of confinement Chinese Soups

What is confinement and confinement stories

Baby 5 & 6 Confinement story

Some confinement foods for your tummy!

The DO's and DON'T's of confinement

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White Rice

Ingredient Name: rice

Traditional Chinese Name: 米 (Mǐ)

One of the most staple foods in the world can definitely be used in soups.  You’d be surprised how many different ways you can use rice in soups and stews and the very popular Chinese congee.  This is a definite ingredient to have at home at all times.  It’s my comfort food!

What is this?
  • Seed of the rice plant that is most important consumable grain source in the world
  • Most commonly consumed in Asia, Middle East, Latin America and India
  • Comes usually in a form of brown rice (with the husk) or white rice and can be ground into rice flour for usage in cakes, noodles, drinks or other uses
  • There are over thousands of rice varieties in the world

How do I prepare it?

  • Rinse well in warm water before usage
  • Some rice may require soaking ahead of time

Where can I buy this?

  • Most supermarkets will carry rice

What is the cost?

  • Rice type, production, and breed will vary the price of rice greatly

Any benefits?

  • A good (but not complete) source of protein
  • Excellent source of energy and carbohydrates
  • Easy to cook and there are  a variety of ways to cook and prepare rice
  • A readily available ingredient

Any precautions?

  • The protein of rice isn’t sufficient as a diet and should be combined with nuts, meats and other protein supplements to ensure a balanced diet

Additional Information

  • White rice can keep longer than brown rice
  • White rice can kept in a dry, sealed container for up to 6 months

References:

  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rice

Black Glutinous Rice

Ingredient Name:  Black glutinous rice, glutinous rice, black sticky rice, wax rice, sweet rice, pearl rice

Traditional Chinese Name: 黑糯米 (Hēi nuòmǐ)

What is this?

  • A type of short-grained Asian rice that becomes sticky when cooked
  • It is relatively dense compared to other varieties of rice
  • This rice has a long history with the Chinese (as far back as 2,000 year) and has many usages in Asia
  • The black colour is either a different strain of glutinous rice or is the rice that still contains its bran
  • Its usage is in desserts, with dim sum, as a meal with meats and vegetables or in soups (although not so commonly)

How do I prepare it?

  • Rinse in warm water and use

Where can I buy this?

  • In most supermarkets, health food stores or speciality stores
  • Available at wetmarts in Hong Kong
  • You can buy them prepackaged or in the volume you want from the vendors

What is the cost?

  • It is very affordable with a few dollars for a few grams

Any benefits?

  • Gluten free rice that is ideal for gluten-free diets

Any precautions?

  • As with all starches, consume in moderation

Additional Information:

  • Store in a dry, cool container away from open air and moisture
  • You can store cooked glutinous rice in the fridge for up to 5 days and frozen in your freezer for up to 6 months

References: