Swap Out That Milk Tea for This! Our Ancestors' Time-Honored Sweet Elixir—Cooling, Calming, Silky & Grainy! Absolutely Divine

As the blazing summer sun beats down, air-conditioned rooms become our sanctuaries, while chilled drinks offer sweet relief to our parched souls. Yet though that first sip of iced milk tea slides down with momentary bliss, it often leaves behind a cloying aftertaste—not to mention the heavy burden of sugar and calories. That fleeting pleasure inevitably gives way to the "cost" our bodies silently bear. Long ago, our ancestors discovered refreshing, health-nourishing antidotes to summer's swelter. Using humble, everyday ingredients, they crafted traditional sweet brews that soothe the throat and nurture the body.

First Brew: Mung Bean, Lotus Seed & Lily Bulb Sweet Soup

Ingredients:

60g mung beans

30g lotus seeds

20g dried lily bulbs

Appropriate amount of rock sugar

Additional (optional): Job's tears (yi yi ren), adzuki beans, qianshi (fox nut seeds), poria cocos (fu ling)

Method:

1. Soak mung beans, lotus seeds (deveined), dried lily bulbs, and any optional grains (Job’s tears, adzuki beans, qianshi, fu ling) in water for 1-2 hours. (If using fresh lily bulbs, add them in the last 10 minutes).

2. Rinse soaked ingredients thoroughly. Place in a pot with ample water (6-8 times the volume of ingredients).

3. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Cook patiently for 40-50 minutes until mung beans split open ("bloom"), releasing their signature grainy texture, and lotus seeds/lily bulbs turn tender.

4. Stir in rock sugar just before turning off the heat until dissolved. Enjoy warm or chilled.

This bowl of sweetness is our ancestors' prescription for calming the restlessness stirred by summer heat. As mung beans melt softly on the tongue, the powdery softness of lotus seeds mingles with the delicate sweetness of lily bulbs. A ribbon of coolness seems to glide down the throat, reaching deep to quell the inner fire ignited by the swelter.

Second Brew: Mung Bean, Snow Fungus & Job's Tears Sweet Soup

Ingredients:

50g mung beans

30g tapioca pearls (sago/sabudana)

½ dried snow fungus (or equivalent fresh)

Appropriate amount of rock sugar

Method:

1. Rinse mung beans and tapioca pearls. Soak dried snow fungus until fully expanded, then tear into small florets, discarding the tough yellow base.

2. Place mung beans and snow fungus in a pot with ample water.

3. Bring to a boil, then add tapioca pearls. Reduce heat to low and simmer gently for about 1 hour, until mung beans are soft and broken down, the snow fungus releases its gelatinous texture, and the broth thickens slightly.

4. Stir in rock sugar until dissolved, then remove from heat.

The tiny, jewel-like tapioca pearls inject a playful, modern twist into this traditional delight. Their translucent, QQ texture yields with a satisfying pop between the teeth, releasing a burst of textural fun that instantly awakens the palate. Chilled, this brew is pure magic: the clear, sweet broth carries the grainy essence of mung beans and the subtle fragrance of lily, while the tapioca pearls dance like glistening "mini pearls," playfully sliding across the tongue for an exhilaratingly cool, slippery sensation.

Third Brew: Mung Bean, Lily Bulb & Lotus Seed Sweet Soup

Ingredients:

60g mung beans

20g dried lily bulbs

30g lotus seeds

Appropriate amount of rock sugar

Method:

1. Soak mung beans, dried lily bulbs, and lotus seeds (deveined) in advance. Bring a separate small pot of water to a boil. Add all ingredients.

2. Cook soaked mung beans and lily bulbs with sufficient water until the beans split open and turn grainy, and the lily bulbs become tender.

3. Stir in rock sugar until dissolved.

4. Ladle the finished sweet soup into bowls.

Here, textures harmonize beautifully: the powdery softness of lotus seeds, the slight crispness of lily bulbs, and the grainy comfort of mung beans, all bound by a pure, gentle sweetness. With each sip, feelings of irritability and unease seem to settle firmly, replaced by a profound sense of grounded calm – truly earning its title as the "Ultimate Comfort Anchor."

The Essence of Summer Serenity

Beneath the jade-like clarity of the broth lies the comforting embrace of velvety bean paste. As this subtly grainy sweetness glides down the throat, a wave of coolness spreads through the body like a clear spring, instantly dousing the heat and soothing frayed nerves. This satisfaction is deeper, more grounding, and resonates far longer than any fleeting pleasure from expensive cold drinks.

Now is the moment to let milk tea take a pause. These humble, nourishing brews offer so much: they gently fortify children's digestion, soothe the weary restlessness of elders, and provide well-deserved comfort after your own long day. They simmer with the wisdom of time, distilling ancestral knowledge into every spoonful. More than just refreshment, they nurture the shared moments—steady and cool—that weave the fabric of our summers with loved ones.

Embrace the Tradition

These aren't mere recipes; they're edible heirlooms. Each ingredient carries purpose:

• Mung Beans: Nature’s coolant, renowned in Traditional Chinese Medicine for dispelling summer heat and detoxifying the body. Their high fiber and protein content provides sustained energy without the sugar crash.

• Lotus Seeds: The ultimate calming agent. They nourish the heart and spleen, easing anxiety and promoting restful sleep – crucial in heat-induced agitation.

• Lily Bulbs: Gentle yet powerful, they moisten dryness (especially beneficial in air-conditioned dryness), clear mild heat, and support emotional tranquility.

• Snow Fungus: A beauty superfood packed with collagen-like compounds, hydrating deeply from within while adding sublime texture.

• Tapioca Pearls: While a modern addition, they offer delightful texture and a fun, chewy element, especially appealing for younger palates.

• Job's Tears (Yi Yi Ren)/Poria Cocos (Fu Ling): These potent diuretics gently eliminate excess dampness, combating the heavy, sluggish feeling summer humidity brings.

Beyond Substitution: A Lifestyle Choice

Choosing these ancestral brews over industrial milk tea isn't just swapping drinks; it's choosing nourishment over empty calories, calm over artificial stimulation, and connection over convenience. The slow simmering process itself is a mindful ritual, filling the home with comforting aromas that signal care and presence.

So, when the summer heat feels overwhelming, resist the siren call of the sugary, caffeinated quick fix. Turn instead to these luminous, jewel-toned bowls of tradition. Let the silky grains, the tender lotus, the resilient lily, and the playful pearls remind you of the enduring wisdom in simplicity. Brew a pot, share it generously, and feel the genuine, lasting coolness – body and soul – that only nature's own sweet alchemy can provide. This summer, let the true "sweet water" flow.