Cherry & Dennis Helper Habitat
Cantonese Apricot Kernel Sweet Soup
杏仁茶
Recipe overview
Food-grade sweet southern apricot kernels form the base, with a much smaller measured amount of bitter northern kernels for aroma, all cooked thoroughly into a smooth soup.
01
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 80 g food-grade southern sweet apricot kernels
- 10 g, do not increase food-grade northern bitter apricot kernels
- 30 g white rice
- 60 g rock sugar
- 1.2 litres drinking water
Safety requirements
- never use ornamental or unknown kernels use only clearly labelled food-grade kernels from a reliable source
- never eat raw or use as garnish keep northern bitter kernels to the specified small amount
02
Tools
- digital kitchen scale
- two separate ingredient bowls
- fine sieve
- blender
- heavy saucepan
- wooden spoon
- ladle
03
Steps
Step 1
Identify and measure separately
Check packaging and weigh 80 g sweet southern kernels and 10 g bitter northern kernels separately; do not increase the northern portion.
Step 2
Inspect and discard damage
Discard kernels that are discoloured, mouldy, broken or rancid-smelling.
Step 3
Rinse and soak kernels and rice
Rinse both kernel portions and rice separately, then soak in clean water for two hours.
Step 4
Drain and add fresh water
Discard soaking water, drain ingredients and use fresh drinking water.
Step 5
Blend a fine slurry
Blend kernels and rice with part of the water until uniformly fine and milky.
Step 6
Strain the liquid
Pour through a fine sieve into a heavy saucepan, pressing out liquid and discarding coarse solids.
Step 7
Bring to a full boil
Stir constantly over medium heat until the entire mixture reaches a rolling boil.
Step 8
Simmer thoroughly
Reduce heat and maintain a steady simmer for 30 minutes so kernels are thoroughly cooked.
Step 9
Stir to prevent scorching
Scrape the base and corners every two to three minutes to prevent settling and burning.
Step 10
Add and dissolve sugar
Only after 30 minutes, add rock sugar and stir until fully dissolved.
Step 11
Reboil and check consistency
Return the soup to a full boil and adjust with drinking water to a smooth pourable texture.
Step 12
Ladle hot and serve safely
Serve piping hot with no raw kernel garnish; omit northern kernels for young children, pregnancy or if concerned.
Common mistakes
- Treating southern and northern kernels as equal portions.
- Increasing bitter northern kernels.
- Using kernels of unknown origin.
- Failing to boil thoroughly or adding raw kernel garnish.
Tips
Use only labelled food-grade products; sweet southern kernels are the base, northern kernels stay minimal and must never be eaten raw, and simmer 30 minutes after boiling.
