Just like a barbecue, Qing Bu Liang is a summer essential on a visit to Hainan. If you know Asia and China well, you might have heard about this sweet cold desert soup being talked about in other places. It is quite popular in Hong Kong, Macao and in Guangdong and Guangxi provinces. So much so, it was selected as one of the Hongkongese top ten favourite dishes in Hainan.

Also known as “Lao Huo Liang Tang”, literally meaning “Well-cooked soup”, Qing Bu Liang can take up to two or three hours to make. The result is an invigorating cocktail with plenty of nutrients. As such, this is also a powerful ally to tackle extreme fatigue or poor appetite caused by humidity and hot weather, due to the frequent presence of ingredients such as pearl barley, lotus seeds, Chinese yams and fox nuts.

The refreshing ingredients used in the soup may vary and, depending on your personal tastes you can add in, for instance, jujubes, mung beans, taro, watermelon or quail eggs with crushed ice, alongside a base made with coconut milk and sweet syrup.

Coconut water and coconut milk are key ingredients that ensure a refreshing sensation when you sample Qing Bu Liang.

Should you decide to go for a stroll on a balmy hot Hainanese evening, you’ll easily find plenty of small carts selling this colourful yet fragrant delicacy. Rest assured you won’t want to miss the opportunity to try picture perfect Qing Bu Liang, whether with your family or friends, in a night market or at a small stall, for a more authentic experience and flavour. Yet another special gift Hainan has to offer you!