Traditional Chinese flower tea-chrysanthemum tea with goji berry.
Drinking this tea has been considered as a traditional remedy to improve eye health, as we are facing screens either from TV or our computer. Both Chrysanthemum and goji berry are considered to be quite beneficial to eye.
Goji berry (also known as Wolfberries) has been used as a healthy food in China for hundreds of years. The most popular way is to put a few in hot teas to boost the benefit of the tea. It contains large amount of antioxidants, boosts immune function and protects the liver. You may also find it in many Chinese soup dishes. Other interesting consuming ways includes adding it directly to smoothie or mix with other nuts to make energy bits. For me, both the color and taste are quite appealing. We have goji berry on hand all the year along.
For this tea, usually a sweetener is needed. Normally, we use rock sugar but I figure out a better one—honey lemon because the later one can add a slightly sour taste. If you are a tea lover as me and love to know more about Chinese flower and herb tea, check Chinese tea.
Chrysanthemum Tea with Goji Berry
Ingredients
- 3-4 dried chrysanthemum tea flower
- 1 teaspoon goji berry
- rock sugar or sweetener
- Or you can use honey with lemon as sweetener
- 1 +½ cup of hot water above 80 degree C
- Peppermint for decorating optional
Instructions
- Place the chrysanthemum flower and goji berry in a glass cup. Pour around ½ cup of hot water in and waggle slightly for 5 seconds and then pour the liquid out (for cleaning purpose).
- Re-pour around 1 cup of hot water and set aside for 3-5 minutes until done.
- This time can be infused three times. Each time, leave around ⅓ of the tea liquid and add new hot water.
Miss Moriah
I absolutely love your blog! I am a foreigner living in Lanzhou, but I lived in Chengdu for several months. I've always wanted to learn how to cook some traditional Chinese food and now I have the chance! Thank you so much. Tomorrow, I will make General Tso's Tofu for lunch, 😀
Elaine
Thank you Moriah. Glad to find that you are living in Lanzhou where noodles are quite yummy. Enjoy your time in China.
Susanne
The Chinese merchant I use to visit, offered chrysanthemums and remembering your post, I bought some. I only can get dried goji berries, but I suppose those will be fine as well. Maybe I should cut them in small pieces before infusing?
Elaine
Hi Susanne,
No, there is no need to cut the goji berries. Dried goji berries are perfect. I am using dried goji berries too.
Susanne
Thanks, Elaine. I made some today and liked it a lot. It has a very pleasant taste and it's easy to prepare. If it is good for my eyesight, too, I'll take that as an extra bonus.
Migue
Thank you so much for your post. Now I have one great idea how to use goji?
Elaine
Migue,
Goji is a very healthy dried fruit and you can also use it in chicken soups.
Wyle
Question… does the tea make you sleepy or give you energy?
Elaine
Wyle,
I believe it has very limited impacts about this.