Summer Apple Infusions: 4 Perfect Pairings to Clear Heat, Nourish the Spleen, Replenish Fluids, and Stay Healthy Through the Season

The scorching heat rolls in, and the air hangs thick and heavy like a steamer—this is summer as we know it. The internal fire in our bodies seems to ignite, leaving throats parched like a desert. The sticky humidity weighs down the spleen and stomach, making even the most flavorful foods taste bland. Sweat doesn’t just carry away water—it depletes our precious bodily fluids.

Yet, a single mild and sweet apple, when paired with the right companions, can transform into a magical elixir that nourishes both body and mind. Today, we present four simple apple-infused recipes to help you thrive through the sweltering season.

1. Root-Nourishing "Four Guardians" Apple Brew — The Spleen’s Protector

Method:

Take 20g dried Chinese yam, 15g poria cocos (fu ling), 15g euryale seeds (qian shi), and 15g lotus seeds. Rinse them thoroughly, then soak in ample water for 30 minutes. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer for 40 minutes until the ingredients soften. Add one washed, cored, and diced apple, and simmer for another 10 minutes. Sweeten with a little rock sugar or honey if desired.

This brew is a humble yet potent version of the classic "Four Guardians Soup"! Chinese yam, poria cocos, euryale seeds, and lotus seeds are all time-honored ingredients for strengthening the spleen and dispelling dampness. In summer, when dampness overwhelms the spleen, leading to fatigue, poor appetite, or even diarrhea, this infusion acts as a gentle "dehumidifier." The apple’s natural sweetness lightens the tonic effect, making it especially suitable for those with weak digestion or heavy dampness. The resulting broth is mellow in color, carrying an earthy aroma with a refreshing apple finish—like wrapping your weary digestive system in a warm, comforting blanket.

2. Hydrating & Moisturizing Snow Fungus & Lily Apple Soup — The Body’s Hydration Station

Method:

Soak one dried snow fungus until softened, then tear into small pieces. Remove the pits from 5 red dates, and prepare a handful of dried longan meat and 20g dried lily bulbs. Add all ingredients (except the apple) to a pot with cold water, bring to a boil, then simmer for about 40 minutes until the snow fungus turns soft and gelatinous. Add diced apple and simmer for another 10 minutes. Chilled, it tastes even better.

Summer’s dry heat is like an invisible fire, quietly evaporating our bodily fluids. Snow fungus and lily bulbs are star ingredients for nourishing yin and moistening the lungs, while red dates and longan gently replenish qi and blood. The apple adds a refreshing, fluid-generating touch. This lightly sweet, collagen-rich soup is like a timely rain for a parched body—ideal for those suffering from dry mouth, rough skin, or restlessness. Once chilled, the translucent, jelly-like broth clings to the apple pieces, offering a silky, cooling treat perfect for soothing midday summer irritation.

3. Appetite-Boosting Hawthorn & Red Date Apple Drink — The Taste Buds’ Wake-Up Call

Method:

Combine 10g dried hawthorn, 8 pitted red dates, and one cored, diced apple in a pot with about 1 liter of water. Bring to a boil, then simmer over medium-low heat for 20–25 minutes. Sweeten with rock sugar or honey to taste.

Has the muggy heat killed your appetite? Try this "sweet-and-sour energizer"! Hawthorn is a master at breaking down food stagnation, especially after heavy or greasy meals. Red dates balance hawthorn’s tartness with a mellow sweetness, while the apple adds hydration and freshness. The lively, tangy-sweet flavor revives weary taste buds and aids digestion. The resulting ruby-red infusion, brimming with vibrant fruity aromas, seems to gently unclog a sluggish appetite, rekindling a long-lost craving for food.

4. Warming Ginger-Apple Tea — The Cold’s Little Heater

Method:

Wash one apple and cut it into thick slices or chunks (skin on). Clean a thumb-sized piece of ginger, smash or slice it (skin on), and add it to a pot with the apple and 800ml–1L of water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15–20 minutes. Sweeten lightly with brown sugar or honey if desired.

Don’t assume summer means no cold! Overindulging in icy drinks or sitting too long in air-conditioned rooms can let cold creep into the body. In this tea, ginger warms the middle, dispelling hidden internal chill, while the apple softens ginger’s sharpness with its soothing crispness. A cup of this induces mild sweating, easing stomach discomfort or dull pain caused by cold exposure and preventing "air-conditioning syndrome." The golden-hued brew, redolent of ginger’s spicy warmth with apple pieces bobbing within, spreads a gentle heat from throat to belly, effortlessly melting away the accumulated chill of indoor AC.

When the summer heat feels unbearable, don’t forget the pot of bubbling apple infusion in your kitchen—it may not boast loudly, but it always carves out a quiet oasis of coolness amid the swelter.

(Note: The original text was expanded to meet the 800-word requirement while maintaining coherence and natural flow.)