Recipe: Qiu Li Gao, Autumn Pear Paste

Join AIMC Berkeley’s Herb Pharmacy Manager, Le Jiang, to learn how to make a nourishing pear paste for the Autumn. Pears are known for their moistening and cooling properties in East Asian Medicine. With the addition of other yin-nourishing herbs and the tonifying properties of honey, this delicious paste is the perfect salve for fall’s dryness.

Qiu Li Gao (Autumn Pear Paste)

Ingredients:

The raw herbs are available through the AIMC Pharmacy; ask your practitioner for a “prescription” of them next time you visit our in-person or telehealth clinic!

• Pears ———————————– 2000g
• Luo Han Guo (Monk Fruit) ——– 1 piece
• Sheng Jiang (Ginger) ————– 70g
• Chuan Bei Mu (Fritillaria Bulb) — 15g
• Fu Ling (Poria) ———————– 25g
• Bai He (Lily Bulb) ——————– 15g
• Mai Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber) — 15g
• Ge Gen (Kudzu Root) ————— 30g
• Hong (Hei) Zao (Date) ————– 70g
• Feng Mi (Honey) ——————— 75g
• Sugar ———————————– 100g
• Water ———————————— 3500ml

Prepare Work:

1. Core the pears and cut them into small pieces.
2. Peel the ginger, slice it to a quarter-inch thick.
3. Crush Luo Han Guo (Monk Fruit) into small pieces.
4. Grind Chuan Bei Mu (Fritillaria Bulb) to fine powder and mix it with honey.
5. Soak the herbs (Bai He, Mai Dong, Fu Ling, Ge Gen, Da Zao) for 30 minutes.
6. Mix all the herbs with pears and Luo Han Guo, covered with water, and soak for 6-8 hours.

Cooking time:

1. After soaking, boil for 2-3 hours. Pour out & preserve the juice, cover ingredients with water again, and boil for another 2-3 hours.
2. Add ginger to the second boil. (If you do not like ginger’s taste to be too strong, add ginger in the last 15 minutes of the second boil.)
3. Filter & combine juice from both batches & bring to a boil. Turn down the heat once fully boiling.
4. Add sugar into it.
5. Keep your eyes on the thickness of the juice and stir frequently to avoid burning.
6. It is ready when the liquid is dripping slowly from the spoon.
7. Pour the paste into a glass or ceramic that can seal.
8. Wait until the temperature drops to around 40°C (104°F), mix the Honey Chuan Bei Mu with it.
9. Seal it and enjoy.

Preserve and dosage:

Preserve the pear paste in the refrigerator. It can be used for up to 8 weeks.
Take a tablespoon full of the paste and dissolve in warm water. Take as needed or consult with your Chinese Medicine practitioner.

Caution:
If you are interested, please contact your Chinese Medicine Practitioner to make sure this paste is a great fit for you.