In East Asian culture, pear and ginger dessert is not only a delicate sweet soup, but also a traditional supplement for cough and rhinitis treatment. In my family, we usually make this delicious and healthy dish all year round, particularly in pear’s season.
Benefit of Pear and Ginger for Your Health
Pear, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine
Pears are a delicious and nutritious fruit that offer several health benefits when incorporated into your diet. According to scientific analysis, pears are nutrient-rich, high in dietary fiber and antioxidant properties like vitamin C and various phytonutrients (such as flavonoids and carotenoids. These can help combat oxidative stress and reduce the risk of chronic diseases, including heart disease and certain cancers.
On the other hands, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and some other East Asian Traditional Medicine, pear is categorized as a “cool” fruit with the below features:
- Cooling property: Pears are considered a cooling fruit in TCM. They are believed to have a cooling effect on the body’s internal heat, making them suitable for individuals with excessive heat or “yang” imbalances. Excessive internal heat is thought to be associated with conditions like inflammation, fever, and thirst.
- Lung and throat health: Pears are often used in TCM to soothe and moisten the respiratory system. They are believed to be beneficial for conditions related to the lungs and throat, such as dry coughs, sore throats, and respiratory inflammation. The fruit’s cooling nature is thought to help reduce heat and inflammation in these areas.
- Digestive support: Pears are gentle on the digestive system. Therefore, they are often recommended for individuals with digestive issues, especially when the digestive system is affected by excess heat or inflammation.
Ginger, according to TCM
Similar to Pear, Ginger has been used in TCM for thousand years as a “warm” property. Here are some of the benefits of ginger according to traditional and alternative medicine:
- Digestive aid: Ginger can help promote digestion and alleviate various digestive issues. It is often used to treat nausea, indigestion, and motion sickness. Ginger can also help with bloating and gas by stimulating digestion.
- Anti-inflammatory properties: Ginger contains bioactive compounds called gingerols, which have potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. This makes ginger a potential natural remedy for inflammatory conditions.
- Immune support: In traditional medicine systems, ginger can to boost the immune system and help the body fight off infections. The “warming” properties of ginger are believed to help break down toxins in the body.
- Respiratory health: Ginger is used in traditional medicine to relieve respiratory symptoms, such as coughs and congestion. It can help soothe irritated throats and reduce mucus production.
With great benefits for health, especially for respiratory health, as well as the opposite “warm” – “cool” property of ginger and pear, people combined it to make steamed or boiled Pear and Ginger Dessert. I prefer to boil it rather than steam because it’s simpler and more quickly. Follow my instruction to make it below.
Pear and Ginger Dessert Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 Asian pears. Choose the firm with bright skin pears, indicating that they are still fresh and juicy.
- 7-10 ginger slices.
- 1.2L water
- 100g (1/3 cup) honey
Instruction
Step 1. Preparation
- Peel the pears’ skin, cut a pear into 4 or 6 parts, then cut into bite-size cubes.
- Peel the skin of the ginger as well, then slice and cut into short strips.
Step 2. Cooking
- Firstly, in a pot, add water, ginger and honey in. Cook on medium heat until boiling.
- Once the water is boiling, add pear cubes into the pot. Cook until the honey water boils again and pear cubes float to the surface of water, then you can turn off the heat and serve.
Step 3. Serving
- Serve Pear and Ginger Dessert warm, that is better for our throat. Keep it in the fridge no more than 3 days. To reheat, you can microwave it in 1 minutes or boil it again.
Such a simple yet delicious and healthy dessert. Try it to see its effectiveness on your health!
Pear and Ginger Dessert
In East Asian culture, pear and ginger dessert is not only a sweet soup, but also a traditional supplement for cough and rhinitis treatment.
Ingredients
- 2 Asian pears (500g, 17.6 oz)
- 7-10 ginger slices
- 1.2L water
- 100g (1/3 cup) honey
Instructions
Step 1. Preparation
- Peel the pears’ skin, cut a pear into 4 or 6 parts, then cut into bite-size cubes. Peel the skin of the ginger as well, then slice and cut into short strips.
Cut the pears into 4-6 parts, remove the seeds, then...
Cut into bite-size cubes.
Step 2. Cooking
- Firstly, in a pot, add water, ginger and honey in. Stir evenly for the honey to be dissolved in water. Cook on medium heat until boiling.
- Once the water is boiling, add pear cubes into the pot.
- Skim the foam on the surface by a spoon. Cook until the honey water boils again and pear cubes float to the surface of water, then you can turn off the heat and serve. Test the sweetness, if desired, you can add more honey to increase the sweet taste.
Step 3. Serving
- Serve Pear and Ginger Dessert warm, that is better for our throat. Keep it in the fridge no more than 3 days. To reheat, you can microwave it in 1 minutes or boil it again.
Such a simple yet delicious and healthy dessert. Try it to see its effectiveness on your health!
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 400mlAmount Per Serving: Calories: 135
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