A refreshing herbal brew of chrysanthemum buds, goji berries, and winter melon sugar (optional, you can omit the sugar or use honey!) Serve it hot or cold, both ways are delicious. Especially cooling during the summer months ^_^
This beautiful drink is both familiar (chrysanthemum + goji is a popular combo), and unusual (the addition of winter melon sugar).
If you can't get winter melon sugar, you can also use honey or rock sugar or skip the sugar entirely. I've also made this with jaggery and it is wonderful.
*Winter lemon sugar, black sugar, and jaggery are probably my most favorite types of sugars ^_^
Think of this recipe as a general guideline. Feel free to adjust ingredient ratios and brew times to your preference. You can brew the tea 2-3 times - the chrysanthemum just keeps giving. So much flavor!
Ingredients
Here's what you'll need:
- Water
- Chrysanthemum buds
- Goji berries
- Winter melon sugar - the winter melon sugar is tasty but optional. You can also use honey or rock sugar or skip the sweeteners entirely.
In the recipe card at the bottom of this post I also included ingredients by weight, I find this extra helpful when making teas / tisanes ^_^
Also below are a few notes on each ingredient!
Chrysanthemum Buds
Make sure to buy chrysanthemum buds and not fully opened flowers. Buds is the key word here! The buds are more delicate, clear, and elegant in taste. It also brews up a nicer sunny yellow shade. Trying brewing it side by side with the fully opened chrysanthemum flowers and you'll see a difference.
Goji Berries
Goji berries you can find everywhere these days! I feel like we only got this in Chinatown growing up, but now it's at most supermarkets including Whole Foods, Down to Earth, etc. Get good, organic ones if you can. It makes a difference in such a simple recipe like this. Store it in a sealed container / bag in the refrigerator. I use goji berries for many other recipes like Osmanthus and Goji Agar Agar, Steamed Ginger Chicken, and Sesame Oil Chicken Soup.
Winter Melon Sugar
Winter melon sugar is super delicious. I can (and have!) eaten it by the cube. Just by itself. Plain, so good. It's made from cooking cane sugar with winter melon fruit. Mellow and beautifully rounded..so full of flavor. Not "sugary" tasting at all. You can find it online and in some Chinese supermarkets. I purchased the sugar pictured above from Red Blossom.
Instructions
Here's how to brew it! It's very simple:
Add ingredients.
Add the water, chrysanthemum buds, and goji berries into a small pot.
Boil and simmer.
Bring to a boil, and then simmer on low heat for 10 minutes.
Sweeten (optional).
Stir in the winter melon sugar (optional). You can also use honey or skip entirely.
Strain and drink.
Strain into a cup. Drink and enjoy! I love this drink hot, but it's also delicious chilled.
FAQ / Useful Tips
Chrysanthemum and goji berry is a very popular drink combination. I got the idea to add winter melon sugar as a sweetener after trying the "Rejuvenate Herbal Tea" from Red Blossom Tea in San Francisco. If you want an easier way to prepare this drink, their sachets (pictured above) are pre-packed with all three ingredients. Super helpful and tasty.
Follow the recipe, and then strain into a heat proof picture. Let cool to room temperature and the store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
Yes! Brewing shorter period of time will result in a lighter drink. Brewing for a longer period of time will result in a stronger drink. I find that boiling and then simmering for 10 minutes is the "sweet spot" for my tastes. I suggest try the recipe as written the first time, and then feel free to adjust brewing time to your preference ^_^
Chrysanthemum, Goji Berry, and Winter Melon Sugar Tea Recipe
Chrysanthemum and Goji Berry Tea
Ingredients
- 3 cups water
- ¼ cup chrysanthemum buds ¼ cup = 5 grams
- 2 teaspoons goji berries 2 teaspoons = 6 grams
- 2 cubes winter melon sugar 2 cubes = 18 grams. Winter melon sugar is optional. Can also use honey or skip entirely.
Instructions
- Add the water, chrysanthemum buds, and goji berries into a small pot.
- Bring to a boil, and then simmer on low heat for 10 minutes.
- Stir in the winter melon sugar (optional). You can also use honey or skip entirely.
- Strain into a cup. Drink and enjoy! I love this drink hot, but it's also delicious chilled.
Mahalo for Reading!