Double steaming

This technique ensures there is no loss of liquid or moisture (its essences) from the food being cooked, hence it is often used with expensive ingredients like Chinese herbal medicines.

Tong sui, or dessert soups, which contain medicinal herbs can be cooked using double steaming.

One famous dish of this kind is called the winter melon urn (冬瓜盅).

In this case, the edible melon takes the place of the double steaming jar.

A dessert dish called double-steamed frog ovaries in a coconut (椰青燉雪蛤膏) is traditionally prepared for women.