It’s almost peaking into the hot, stuffy season of summer in Hong Kong and like most Asian countries (by the ocean), it becomes undeniably hot and sometimes humid.

Soups in this category are meant to:

• Help transition the body from warm to hot
• Help reduce the internal body temperature and cool it down
• Help bring moisture to the body and keep it hydrated (from all that sweating and searing heat)
• Relieve heatiness or conditions from heatiness such as: dry mouths, canker and cold sores, pimples or breakouts

Some ingredients suitable for Fall:

wintermelon – This is a key ingredient that vendors will sell during the “hottest” days of the summer. This extremely cooling melon is a slightly sweet and refreshing soup veggie.

watercress – Another “cooling” ingredient, this crisp vegetable can be boiled the old fire way, or in a quick fire, keeping the leaves crispy and fresh.

dried bok choy – This is a highly cooling ingredient and very tasty when made in soup. Be sure to rinse as it usually contains lots of little bugs.

fresh bok choy – Another “cooking” ingredient. Similar to watercress, you can take the old fire route or quick fire route. Deliciously sweet and refreshing.

bitter melon – An ultimate “cooling” melon, this diverse melon is really an acquired taste.

ginseng – any type (Korean of Chinese) is a cooling ingredient and can be made with soups or teas.

Great soups for the Summer:

	Cooling Wintermelon Soup
	Watercress and Chestnuts in Roasted Pork Soup
	Dried and Fresh Bok Choy in Pork Broth
	Bitter Melon and Crab Meat Stew
	Sugar Cane and Imperatae Drink
	American Ginseng Heat Reducing Soup
	Heat Clearing Herbal Tea