As we age, we make less collagen, the protein behind plump, springy skin. Topical skincare with collagen can hydrate the surface, but collagen molecules are too large to pass through the skin barrier, so it can't rebuild collagen from the outside.
Eating it works differently: collagen-rich food is digested into small peptides and amino acids your body can use. That's why we believe eating your collagen can do more than applying it.
Meet our De-Puffing Chicken Collagen Soup (花生眉豆雞腳湯), a TCM classic. Collagen-rich chicken feet simmer slowly with black-eyed peas, peanuts, tangerine peel and jujube dates into a warm, comforting bowl, made for cosy fall evenings and for days your face feels a little puffy. It's part of our Collagen Soup Series, skin care from the inside out.
Table of content
Ingredient & Benefit Breakdown
Chicken Feet (雞腳)
A beloved staple of Chinese home soups, valued for its collagen-rich skin and connective tissue. Simmered for hours, it turns the broth silky and full-bodied.
In TCM, it's traditionally used to nourish blood and tendons.
Watercress (西洋菜)
Fresh, slightly peppery and rich in vitamin K, watercress balances the richness of the fish.
Traditionally considered cooling and moistening, it’s a classic pairing for soups like this.
Black-Eyed Peas (眉豆)
Earthy, mild and rich in folate and fibre, they soften into the broth as it simmers.
In TCM, they're traditionally used to transform dampness and clear water retention, which makes them our de-puffing helper.
Peanuts (花生)
They add plant protein and a soft, creamy body to the soup.
In TCM, they're traditionally used to support the spleen and stomach.
Tangerine Peel (陳皮)
Aged tangerine peel lends a gentle citrus fragrance that keeps the broth clean and balanced.
In TCM, it's traditionally used to aid digestion and help resolve dampness.
Jujube Dates (紅棗)
Naturally sweet, so the soup needs no added sugar.
In TCM, they're traditionally used to nourish blood and gently support the spleen.
Ginger & Lean Pork
Ginger warms the broth, and you can skip it if you prefer. Lean pork adds protein and a savoury depth.
Together, the soup is traditionally used to support spleen qi, clear dampness and nourish blood and tendons.
20 mins
~2.5 hours
Apx. 5–6 bowls
De-puffs, clears dampness
Collagen, hyaluronic acid & folate
Ingredients
- 300g chicken feet (雞腳), nails removed
- 900g lean pork
- 150g black-eyed peas (眉豆)
- 100g raw peanuts (花生)
- 3g tangerine peel (陳皮)
- 50g jujube dates (紅棗), pitted
- 2 slices ginger, optional
- 2,500ml water
For seasoning
- A small pinch of salt, to taste
Prep
- Place the chicken feet and lean pork in a pot of cold water. Bring to a boil for 5 minutes to remove impurities and blood.
- Remove and rinse thoroughly under cold running water.
- Soak the black-eyed peas and raw peanuts, then drain and wash.
Method
- Pour 2.5 litres of water into a large soup pot and bring it to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Add all the ingredients and boil for 10 minutes.
- Turn the heat down to low, cover with a lid and let the soup simmer gently for 2 hours.
- Season with a small pinch of salt, to taste, and you're done.
Sip Your Collagen
No single bowl rewrites your skin overnight, and research on eating collagen is still evolving. But a pot of this soup, simmered slowly and sipped often, is a gentle, delicious way to give your body the building blocks it uses to make collagen, with a little help on puffy days too. Pair it with a gentle routine on the outside, and you're caring for your skin from both sides.
Make a big pot, portion it out, and you'll have soup ready to heat and sip all week. Share a bowl with someone you love, too.
With love,
Rachel & Alia
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