南北杏

nánběixìng

noun

Meanings

1 southern and northern apricot kernels (a Cantonese soup ingredient pair)

Characters

Examples

煲汤时常加一把南北杏。

Bāotāng shícháng jiā yìbǎ nánběixìng.

A handful of apricot kernels is often added when simmering soup.

南北杏有润肺的作用。

Nánběixìng yǒu rùn fèi de zuòyòng.

Apricot kernels have a lung-moistening effect.

Tips

culture

Southern (sweet) and northern (bitter) apricot kernels used together in Cantonese slow-simmered soups (煲汤) and pear desserts. Traditional Chinese medicine considers the pairing good for coughs and the lungs.

Stroke Order

南 nán

北 běi

杏 xìng