Eight Treasure Rice Pudding is sometimes called "Immortal's Rice" in the Taihu Lake area. They believe that eating Eight Treasure Rice Pudding can calm the mind, nourish the blood, expel pathogenic factors from the five organs, eliminate toxins and "three worms," enhance wisdom, and replenish kidney qi. In fact, whether Eight Treasure Rice Pudding can cure illnesses can be understood by just looking at its ingredients. Its main ingredient is glutinous rice, and the others, known as the "eight treasures," include red dates, longan pulp, walnuts, peanuts, red beans, white fungus, banana pulp, or apple or pear pulp. Some are also topped with red and green shreds, making a bowl of glutinous rice colorful and fragrant. Just looking at it is enough to make one's mouth water, let alone eating it. Therefore, people in the Wuxi area also call Eight Treasure Rice Pudding "Prosperity Rice."
Nutrition of Common Ingredients
Glutinous rice contains protein, fat, carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, niacin, and starch. It is nutritious and a warming, strengthening food. It has the effects of tonifying the middle jiao, replenishing qi, strengthening the spleen and nourishing the stomach, and stopping spontaneous sweating. It can help alleviate symptoms of a weak and cold spleen and stomach, poor appetite, abdominal bloating, and diarrhea. Glutinous rice has an astringent effect and is good for food therapy for frequent urination and night sweats.
Walnuts are a popular snack loved by many. They are rich in protein, fatty acids, B vitamins, vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, selenium, and other nutrients. They can prevent cell aging, enhance brain function, improve memory, delay aging, reduce cholesterol absorption in the intestines, moisturize the skin, and darken hair. They are especially suitable for people with arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, and mental workers, as they can relieve fatigue and stress.
Plums mainly contain protein, fat, carbohydrates, and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, and iron. They also contain citric acid, succinic acid, phytosterols, and oleanolic acid-like substances.
Almonds are rich in protein, vitamins, and nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, and selenium. They are also rich in flavonoids and polyphenols, which can not only lower cholesterol levels in the body but also significantly reduce the risk of heart disease and many chronic diseases.
Raisins contain protein, a small amount of vitamins, rich minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, and iron, and a large amount of glucose. They are a great tonic for children, women, and the weak or anemic, as they can nourish blood and qi, warm the kidneys, and treat anemia and thrombocytopenia.
Sesame seeds contain a large amount of fat and protein.